To celebrate Helsinki's selection as World Design Capital for 2012, the Mint of Finland has launched a commemorative 50-Euro coin made from both gold and silver, seen above. They're also releasing a 5-Euro version, below, made from less-expensive aluminum and bronze.

Of course, the face value of the coin doesn't correspond with what it costs; collectors and design geeks will need to pony up 430 Euros for the 50 and 75 Euros for the 5. That's kind of a disheartening metaphor for the affordability of good design.

Longtime Core77 readers may remember that we wrote an entry years ago showing you how bimetallic coins are produced. The Helsinki coins shown here, the 1-Euro coin and the NYC subway token of decades past were all produced the same way. Check it out here.