Estonia Honors Forest Brothers with Rare €15 Silver Coin in 2026

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Estonia Honors Forest Brothers with Rare €15 Silver Coin in 2026

A silver coin with the inscription "Estonia Teater" against a white background.
Jeffrey Morgan
Jeffrey Morgan
1 Min.

Estonia Honors Forest Brothers with Rare €15 Silver Coin in 2026

Eesti Pank has approved a new silver collector coin honouring the Forest Brothers, Estonia's post-war resistance fighters. The €15 coin, designed by artist Kaupo Kangro, will be released in 2026 as part of a series celebrating the country's history of defiance against occupation.

The Forest Brothers were guerrilla fighters who resisted Soviet rule in Estonia after World War II. Between 1944 and 1953, estimates suggest 14,000 to 30,000 men took part in armed resistance, using sabotage and ambushes against Soviet forces.

The coin design competition attracted multiple strong entries, with Kangro's work selected as the winner. Only 2,500 pieces will be minted, each bearing a nominal value of €15. This release follows the series' first coin, which honoured the Finnish Boys, and precedes a 2027 coin dedicated to Estonian Defence Forces veterans.

The limited-edition coin will join Eesti Pank's 'Resistance' series, marking a key chapter in Estonia's struggle for independence. Its release in 2026 will coincide with ongoing efforts to preserve the memory of those who fought against Soviet occupation.