Banks, EU – Baltic States, Financial Services, Latvia, Tourism

The coins will be put into circulation just like other circulation money, via banks going to traditional points of coin sale and population. The cashier offices of Latvijas Banka in Riga, Daugavpils and Liepāja will commence selling the coin on Tuesday, 12 August.

The graphic design of the coin has been created by Henrihs Vorkals, and Jānis Strupulis is the author of the plaster model. The new 2 euro coin has been struck by Staatliche Münzen Baden-Württemberg in Germany, the same mint commissioned to strike Latvia's euro circulation coinage.

The features and properties of the coins of special design remain much the same as those of the normal coins. Thus, their common or European side (with the nominal displayed), material, size and edge do not differ from other 2 euro coins. What makes them different is their commemorative design on the national side.

Highly symbolic in national terms is the fact that the very first 2 euro coin of special design commemorates Riga, European Capital of Culture of 2014. The activities related to the event present a new quality vision of the capital city and Latvia's affinity with Europe and the common cultural values. By issuing this coin of special design Latvijas Banka has made an important contribution to the popularisation of the event in Latvia and abroad.

The mintage of the coin "Riga – European Capital of Culture 2014" is 1 million, with 5 000 coins, packed in special souvenir boxes, minted additionally.

The coin "Riga – European Capital of Culture 2014" carries on the tradition of minting circulation coins of special design in Latvia. Each country in the euro area is entitled to issue two commemorative coins per year. Also, they are allowed to produce a third coin, provided that it is issued under a jointly organised programme. Latvia's next 2 euro commemorative coins of special design are projected for 2015.

- Weight: 8.50 g; diameter: 25.75 mm; width of edge: 2.20 mm

- Metal: alloy of different metals (outer ring of copper-nickel alloy, in silver colour; central field in three layers of nickel-brass alloy, nickel and nickel-brass, in gold colour)

- Struck in 2014 by Staatliche Münzen Baden-Württemberg (Germany)

- Artists: Henrihs Vorkals (graphic design) and Jānis Strupulis (plaster model)

National side

The central image of the coin shows the skyline of Riga, with inscriptions "RĪGA – 2014" and "LV" underneath. At the top of the image there is a semi-circled inscription "EIROPAS KULTŪRAS GALVASPILSĒTA" (European Capital of Culture). The coin's outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

European side

The central part carries the number "2" and the inscription "EURO", with a geographical image of Europe in the background.

Edge

The inscription "DIEVS SVĒTĪ LATVIJU" (God, Bless Latvia), with the words separated by stars.

Riga is the European Capital of Culture 2014. This designation and the activities related to the event present a new quality vision of the capital city and entire Latvia's affinity with Europe and the common cultural values.

The Programme of the European Capital of Culture comprises several hundreds of specially-designed events. Over 12 thousand people from almost 100 cultural establishments and non-governmental organisations have been involved in the Programme.

Quite a lot of events have resulted from successful partnership of Latvian and foreign creative groups and will be presented in Riga and Latvia for the first time. The Programme includes cultural events of global and European significance, among them concerts, exhibitions, shows and performances staged by Riga residents in 58 environs of the city.

Force Majeure – this is the name given to the Programme of European Capital of Culture of Riga. Culture as force majeure: via events of various genres and the interplay among different spheres of life Riga aspires to enhance the conviction that culture can change people's lives to the better. Riga is the city of inspiration!