Finland

2016

Commemorative coin

The 100th anniversary of the birth of philosopher Georg Henrik von Wright

Official Journal of the European Union

At the inner part of the coin is an ancient Doric pillar, and an oak branch at the left. The inscription ‘GEORG HENRIK VON WRIGHT’ is placed in semi-circle from left to right and the year of issuance ‘2016’ is placed on the top at the right. On the top at the left is the indication of the issuing country ‘FI’ and the mint mark. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Additional information

Georg Henrik von Wright (1916-2003), the Finnish-Swedish philosopher and logician (with Scottish ancestors), administrator of the estate of Ludwig Wittgenstein, created a system of deontic logic. The coin shows on the right an ancient Doric column symbolizing the early ideals of Wrights (who visited Paestum in 1937), the universal man. The oak branch, symbol of wisdom, dignity and strength, represents the personality of the philosopher, and the number of oak leaves is said to represent the three disciplines to which the philosopher devoted himself: Theoretical philosophy, social and moral philosophy and cultural philosophy.

Edge lettering

Designer