Banks, Financial Services, Latvia

"These coins, featuring the coats of arms of Kurzeme and Latgale, continue the series of 2-euro commemorative coins dedicated to Latvia's cultural and historical regions. It is one of the Bank of Latvia's contributions to the country's centenary. A 2-euro commemorative coin with the coat of arms of Vidzeme was issued a year ago. In the country's centenary year, a coin dedicated to Zemgale will conclude the series of coins," the Bank of Latvia said in a statement to the press.

The division of Latvia into cultural and historical regions (Vidzeme, Latgale, Kurzeme and Zemgale) is stipulated by Article 3 of the Latvian Constitution. Four euro commemorative coins featuring the coats of arms of Latvia's cultural and historical regions will be issued by the end of 2018 as the Bank of Latvia's contribution to Latvia's centenary.

A silver elk (golden on Kettler's coat of arms) on a blue background, featured on the coat of arms of Zemgale, and a red lion on a silver background, turned in the opposite direction and depicted on the coat of arms of Kurzeme, have been carried over from Gotthard Kettler's coat of arms. He was the first Duke of Kurzeme and Zemgale. Meanwhile, a silver griffin on a red background with a sword in its right paw, currently without a gold crown, incorporated in the coat of arms of the Duchy of Pardaugava can be seen on the coat of arms of Vidzeme (on a red background) and on that of Latgale (on a blue background turned in the opposite direction). Images of the coats of arms of Latvia's cultural and historical regions have not been used in coin design so far.

Euro commemorative coins are legal tender in the Republic of Latvia and other euro area countries. Thus, in the run-up to the centenary of our country, the commemorative coins with the coats of arms of Latvia's cultural and historical regions will travel across Europe telling the story of Latvia.

The graphic designs of the national side of the new commemorative coins have been created by artist Laimonis Senbergs, and the plaster models – by Janis Strupulis.

As of Tuesday, 14 November, the coins will be available for exchange at the Cashier's Offices of the Bank of Latvia in Riga and Liepaja. The mintage of each coin is 0.5 million pieces.

Numismatic products will be available (also for legal entities) for purchase online via the Bank of Latvia collector coin and other numismatic product site at e-monetas.lv.