Eesti Pank is issuing a two-euro coin with a special design next year

Eesti Pank is issuing a two-euro coin with a special design next year that will feature the beloved character Sipsik from children's storybooks

Eesti Pank will be issuing a two-euro coin with a special design next year that will feature the beloved character Sipsik from children’s storybooks.

Sipsik, the small, yellow, furry creature, is a household name in Estonia, having featured in a series of children’s books written by Eno Raud and illustrated by Edgar Valter. The books, first published in 1969, have been enjoyed by generations of children, who have learned about friendship, the importance of caring, and discovered the magic of play and the imagination through Sipsik’s adventures.

“Sipsik is friendly and caring, simple and understandable, sensitive and curious, active and smart, just like we want our children and young people to be. The two-euro coin with Sipsik is not something for paying with, but it is a cultural symbol that unites the generations and pays homage to Estonian children’s literature”, said Deputy Governor of Eesti Pank Ülo Kaasik.

The two-euro coin with the special design is being prepared jointly with the Estonian Children’s Literature Centre. “Sipsik is one of the superstars of our children’s literature who reaches across the generations. His appearance on the coin will strengthen those connections further and help Sipsik to travel far and wide”, said Triin Soone, Director of the Estonian Children’s Literature Centre.

The coin will enter circulation in 2026 and will be legal tender throughout the euro area.

No public competition is being held to find a design for the coin, which will be created in cooperation with the Estonian Children’s Literature Centre using the original illustrations by Edgar Valter.

Commemorative coins are two-euro coins that are released into circulation, and that have a special commemorative design on the national side in place of the usual national design. They are intended to commemorate important national or European events or themes.