New national side of euro coins intended for circulation
(2020/C 136/02)
National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by Latvia
Euro coins intended for circulation have legal tender status throughout the euro area. For the purpose of informing the public and all parties who handle the coins, the Commission publishes a description of the designs of all new coins (1). In accordance with the Council conclusions of 10 February 2009 (2), euro-area Member States and countries that have concluded a monetary agreement with the European Union providing for the issuing of euro coins are allowed to issue commemorative euro coins intended for circulation, provided that certain conditions are met, particularly that only the 2-euro denomination is used. These coins have the same technical characteristics as other 2-euro coins, but their national face features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.
Issuing country: Latvia
Subject of commemoration: Latgalian ceramics
Description of the design: The coin is dedicated to the Latgalian pottery. The traditional pottery established itself for substantial periods of time in two districts, Latgale and Kurzeme, ut only in Latgale it has survived throughout the times and passed over to the next generations. The Latgalian pottery is included also in the Latvian Culture Canon.
The design depicts a characteristic piece of Latgalian ceramics – clay candelabrum. It bears an inscription ‘LATGALES KERAMIKA’ (Latgalian ceramics), the country name ‘LATVIJA’ as well as the year of issuance ‘2020’.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 312 000
Date of issue: Second quarter of 2020
(1) See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1 for the national faces of all the coins issued in 2002.
(2) See the conclusions of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 10 February 2009 and the Commission Recommendation of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation (OJ L 9, 14.1.2009, pp. 52).