The mint spits out small 10 cent coins into a large box resting next to the machine at a steady pace. Miljenko Licul approaches the box, picks up a few coins and nods his head approvingly.

Licul, the designer of the Slovenian euro coins, has no complaints about Finnish craftsmanship.

The production of Slovenia’s new euro coins is running smoothly, although there is a slight rush. Slovenia is introducing the euros at the beginning of next year, and 300 million coins need to be ready by then.

Distribution of the euros will start at the beginning of January. This will be followed by a two-week transition period when both euros and Slovenian tolars are legal tender. The euro will be the fourth currency the country will have used in the course of two decades.

The Slovenian euro deal is good business for the Mint of Finland, since it accounts for one-third of the company’s annual output. The company will also mint Estonia’s euros, but that has been moved to next year.

“And more offers are being made. The competition for Malta’s euros may be resolved in the near future,” says Raimo Makkonen, head of the Mint of Finland.

According to Makkonen, the Mint of Finland is Europe’s leading manufacturer of euros, and it intends to retain the status. This year the company is exporting euro coins to Ireland and Luxemburg in addition to Slovenia.