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: Ukraine Sunflower

Description of the design: The design represents a sunflower, which is one of the national symbols of Ukraine, as Ukraine is one of the biggest sunflower oil producers and exporters worldwide. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the sunflower has become a global symbol for peace. For the first time sunflowers were used as a peace symbol in the summer of 1996. Then they were planted in a military base near Pervomaysk, approximately 155 miles south of the capital Kyiv. Now sunflowers are used as a symbol of peace and support to Ukraine worldwide. At the top, in semi-circle, is the inscription ‘SLAVA UKRAINAI!’ (Glory to Ukraine) and at the bottom, in semi-circle, is the name of the issuing country ‘LATVIJA’ followed by the year of issuance ‘2023’. The author of the design is the Latvian artist Krišs Salmanis.

The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Estimated number of coins to be issued: 415 000

Date of issue:

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(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).