New national side of euro coins intended for circulation
(2019/C 352/14)
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: The rising sun
Description of the design: The coin is dedicated to the history of the Coat of arms of Latvia and features the motif of a rising sun. This motif was originally part of the design proposal for the symbol of the autonomous Latvia, created by artist Ansis Cīrulis in 1917. Later on this motif emerged as one of the basic elements of the Coat of arms of Latvia.
The motif of a rising sun has also been used by artist Ansis Cīrulis before, in the design of the Latvian riflemen’s badge and his other artworks. After the foundation of the Republic of Latvia in 1918 variations of the motif of a rising sun appeared in all design proposals for the Coat of arms of the new State. The Coat of arms of Latvia was officially adopted in 1921.
The design shows the motif of the rising sun, with stylised letters B and L (an abbreviation from the words ‘Brīvā Latvija’ (Free Latvia)) in the centre. It also bears an inscription ‘UZLECOŠĀ SAULE’ (The rising sun), the name of the issuing country ‘LATVIJA’ and the year of issuance ‘2019’.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 307 000
Date of issue: Third quarter of 2019
(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, p. 52).