What we are going to discuss today is an in-depth look at the Latvia Euro Coins in particular. Before we can go into detail, however, we must also analyse the history of Latvian Numismatics, which inevitably led to the introduction of the Euro.
History of Latvian Numismatics
Before the Single European Currency the official currency of Latvia was the Lats introduced for the first time in 1922 to replace the Latvian Ruble. Specifically, the exchange rate at the time was fixed with a value of 50 roubles = 1 lets.
In 1940, however, Latvia was completely absorbed by the USSR and the lats was replaced by the Soviet rouble with a completely equal exchange rate.
In 1993 Latvia regained its independence and Lats was reintroduced as the official currency for all intents and purposes. Unlike 1922, this time the exchange rate was fixed at 1 lats = 200 roubles.
The Lats was naturally divided into cents which were defined as Santims.
Latvia has been a member of the European Union since 1 January 2004, but has only officially adopted the Euro since 1 January 2014.
After this necessary premise that allowed us to understand in general terms what was the path of Latvia before reaching the Euro, the time has come to analyze in detail the different coins.
What we will do is a journey to discover the characteristics of these coins also analyzing technical peculiarities and curiosities. Let’s discover them together.
1 Cent Latvia Euro Coins
The first coin we are going to analyse is, of course, the 1 Cent Latvian Euro coin. Specifically, this coin was made by two authors, namely Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis. It was minted for the first time in 2014.
On the Obverse we can immediately see the representation of the official coat of arms of Latvia characterized by a Shield with the stylized representation of a lion and a griffon vulture, the sun and the three stars on top. On the left there is the thousandth of minting while at the bottom the inscription LATVIJA.
All around us we can see the 12 five-pointed stars representing the European States.
On the reverse, we’re talking about the same face as any other 1-cent coin.
Let’s see now the technical characteristics:
- Materials: The material used for this coin is copper-plated steel. Specifically, steel is present for 94.35% while copper is present for 5.65%.
- Thickness: The thickness is 1.67 mm.
- Weight: Weight is 2.30 g
- Diameter: The diameter is 16.25 mm
- Outline: The contour is completely smooth without any detail
- Engraver: Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis
Value and Circulation of 1 Cents Euro Latvia Coins
1 cent Euro Latvia 2016 is classified as R2 and its value is around 30€
But it’s not the only change in value, there are other rare coins among the cents of Latvia!
Here are the values divided year by year:
2 Cents Latvia Euro Coins
The second coin to be analyzed, minted in 2014, is the 2-cent Euro Latvia. Also in this case we are talking about the two authors of the first coin, Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis.
On the obverse side we can see the same subject or the representation of the coat of arms of Latvia or a shield with the lion and the griffon vulture inside, the sun and three stars at the top. Below is the inscription LATVIJA while on the left the thousandth of minting.
All around us, as always, we can find the 12 five-pointed stars that represent the European states.
On the reverse side, the coin has the same face as all other 2-cent European coins.
Let’s analyze the technical peculiarities.
- Materials: Also in the case of this coin the material used is steel plated with copper (steel 94.35% – copper 5.65%).
- Thickness: The thickness is at 1.67 mm
- Weight: Weight increases a little to 3.06 grams
- Diameter: The diameter is 18.75 mm
- Outline: The contour is characterized by an incused horizontal thread
- Engraver: Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis
Value and Circulation of 2 Cents Euro Latvia Coins
The 2-cent coin Latvia 2016 is worth well over €40 and is classified as R2, although not the only R2 is among the rarest eurocollection coins in Latvia. Look at the values divided by year in this table.
5 Cents Latvia Euro Coins
Let’s immediately move on to the third coin in this collection, the 5-cent Euro Latvian coin. The authors in this case are also Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis. The coin will be minted in 2014 for the first time.
On the Obverse we find the same small coat of arms of Latvia characterized by a Shield with three small stars at the top, within the coat of arms the stylization of a lion, a griffin and the sun that symbolizes the state of Latvia. On the left there is the thousandth of minting and lower placed the inscription LATVIJA which means precisely “LATVIA”.
All around the subjects we can notice the 12 five-pointed stars representing the States of the European Union.
In the reverse, as usual, the face is the same as that of the other 5 eurocent European coins.
Let’s look at this coin from a more technical point of view.
- Materials: Once again, we are talking about the same material, i.e. copper-plated steel, in which 94.35% of steel is present and 5.65% of copper is present.
- Thickness: The thickness is practically the same as the two previous coins or 1.67 mm
- Weight: Weight increases slightly to 3.92 g
- Diameter: The diameter also increases a bit to 21.25 mm
- Outline: The contour is again completely smooth
- Engraver: Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis
Value and Circulation of 5 Cents Euro Latvia Coins
10 Cents Latvia Euro Coins
Let’s move on to the 10 cents Euro Latvia coin. Also for this coin the authors are the same, that is Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis, even if there are some small variations in the subject. Coined from 2014 onwards.
As we can see by observing the Obverse in fact the coat of arms of Latvia represented and much larger and more complete full of details that in the small coat of arms seen in the coins until now could not be inserted at all. In fact the coat of arms is in its complete version, with the representation of the 3 stars that symbolize the historical districts of Latvia: Vidzeme, Curlandia/Semigallia and Latgale. The sun is a symbol of statehood, the Lion is on the left and the Griffin on the right.
Immediately below we find the thousandth of coinage divided into two digits while even lower down the word LATVIJA which means LATVIA.
All around we notice the 12 stars with five points and on the reverse the same face of the other 10 centesimi coins.
The reverse is the common face of all 10 eurocent coins circulating in the Euro Zone.
Let’s take a technical look at them.
- Materials: The material used this time is Nordic Gold, 89% copper, 5% aluminium, 5% zinc and 1% tin.
- Thickness: The thickness is slightly higher than the previous coins as it reaches 1.93 mm
- Weight: Weight also increases significantly to 4.10 g
- Diameter: The diameter is equal to 19.75 mm
- Outline: The contour is grooved with thick knurling
- Engraver: Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis
Value and Circulation of 10 Cents Euro Latvia Coins
20 Cents Latvia Euro Coins
Here we are with the 20 cents Euro Latvia coin. This is also why we are talking about the usual two authors who have characterized the coins seen so far. Specifically, they are Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis.
In the Obverse we can see once again the complete representation of the coat of arms of Latvia. This is rich in elements and details such as the great Lion and Griffin outside the coat of arms (in addition to the two small ones depicted inside the shield with the radiant sun above) and the three big stars at the top symbolizing the three historical districts of Lithuania.
Immediately below it is placed the thousandth of minting which is divided into groups of two digits. Further down is the word LATVIJA, which means LATVIA.
All around, as usual, are placed the 12 five-pointed stars, while on the reverse we are talking about the same face of the other 20-cent coins.
The Reverse is characterized by the Common Face, the same for all 20 cents.
Let’s see the technical peculiarities together.
- Materials: Like the previous one also this coin is made of Nordic Gold (89% copper – 5% aluminum – 5% zinc – 1% tin)
- Thickness: Thickness increases to 2.14 mm
- Weight: Weight also increases to 5.74 mm
- Diameter: The diameter is 22.25 mm
- Outline: The contour is a wide knurling
- Engraver: Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis
Value and Circulation of 20 Cents Euro Latvia Coins
50 Cents Latvia Euro Coins
We’ve come to the third last coin in this beautiful collection. Specifically, what we are going to analyze now is the 50 cents Euro Latvia coin that makes its appearance in 2014 along with the other coins of Latvia.
The authors also in this case are Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis.
At the obverse we can see the wonderful representation of the complete coat of arms of Latvia characterized in this case by a shield with small lion and griffon vulture inside with the sun in the upper part and the same lion and griffon vulture in large version that support the same coat of arms outside, in addition to the three large stars placed at the top.
At the bottom there is instead the thousandth of minting which is divided as always into two sections and, even lower down, the word LATVIJA which means LATVIA. All around the coin there are the 12 five-pointed stars representing the European States.
On the reverse side, we are talking about the same face as the other 50-centime European coins. Let us now look at the technical characteristics.
- Materials: Once again the material used is Nordic Gold, 89% copper, 5% zinc, 5% aluminium and 1% tin.
- Thickness: Thickness increases to 2.38 mm
- Weight: Weight also increases significantly to 7.80 g
- Diameter: The diameter is equal to 24.25 mm
- Outline: The contour is grooved with thick knurling
- Engraver: Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis
Value and Circulation of 50 Cents Euro Latvia Coins
1 Euro Latvia Coin
The second to last coin of this collection is the one from 1 Euro Latvia. For this coin we always talk about two authors but no longer those of the previous coins. The engravers are Guntars Sietins and Ligita Franckevica. Coin issued in 2014.
At the Obverse we can see perfectly placed in the center the representation of a Latvian girl also called Milda. The profile of the girl was already present in the 1929 5 Lats coin as a symbol of Latvian independence. On the left the thousandth of minting and the inscription LATVIJAS while on the right the inscription REPUBLIKA.
All around, we can see the 12 five-pointed stars on each coin representing the countries of the European Union. On the reverse side, the common face of the 1 euro coins.
Let us also analyse for a moment the technical specifications of this specific coin.
- Materials: Bimetallic. Outer part: nickel-brass (copper 75% – zinc 20% – nickel 5%); inner part: copper-nickel (copper 75% – nickel 25%).
- Thickness: The thickness reaches 2.33 mm
- Weight: Even the weight decreases slightly to 7.50 g
- Diameter: Diameter measures 23.25 mm
- Outline: The contour is striped discontinuously
- Engraver: Guntars Sietins and Ligita Franckevica
Value and Circulation of 1 Euro Latvia Coins
2 Euro Latvia Coin
Finally, we come to the last coin of this beautiful collection, the 2 Euro Latvian coin, minted from 2014 onwards. Also in this case the authors are always the same: Guntars Sietins and Ligita Franckevica.
On the obverse, as with the 1 euro coin, the coin depicts Milda, a Latvian girl in profile facing to the right, symbolising Latvia’s freedom. Now, on the left of the face we can see the thousandth of a coin followed by the words LATVIJAS.
On the right, on the large side, there is the inscription REPUBLIKA. All around, as with the other European coins, there are the 12 five-pointed stars representing the European States. On the reverse side there are the common face of the 2 Euro coins.
Without wasting any more time, however, we also see the technical characteristics of this last coin.
- Materials: Also in this case we speak of a double material. Specifically, the outer part is made of nickel-brass (copper 75% – zinc 20% – nickel 5%). The inner part is made of copper-nickel (copper 75% – nickel 25%).
- Thickness: The thickness is reduced a bit ‘reaching 2.20 mm
- Weight: The weight on the contrary increases compared to the previous currency as we speak of well 8.50 g. It is the heaviest coin of the whole collection
- Diameter: The diameter is 24.25 mm
- Outline: The contour is finely galvanized and with the pattern “DIEVS” followed by three stars “SVETI” followed by three stars and “LATVIJU” followed by three stars. In Latvian it means “DIO BENEDICA LA LETTONIA”.
- Engraver: Guntars Sietins and Ligita Franckevica
Value and Circulation of 2 Euro Latvia Coins
The 2 Euro Latvia 2016 are classified as R2 and their value exceeds 30€, together with the 1 cent and 2 cent 2016 coins it is the rarest coin in the Latvian Eurocollection.
Want to see more Eurocollection coins?
- Two pages you can’t miss: 2 Euro Commemorative Coins and Rare Euro Coins
- The precious Vatican euro coins can be seen here and also the San Marino euro coins
- Here you can see the Malta euro coins and here the Cyprus euro coins.
- Euro coins from Germany can be found here and Euro coins from Estonia and Latvia Euro Coins here.
- Euro coins from France can be found here, as well as Euro coins from Austria.
- Also of great interest are the euro coins from Greece and the euro coins of Luxembourg.
- Here you will find Lithuania Euro coins and Andorra Euro coins
- We also talked about Slovenian Euro coins and Slovakia Euro coins.
- Check also Spanish Euro Coins here and Euro Coins of Portugal here.
- The Netherlands euro coins can be found here and the Ireland euro coins here.
- All precious Monaco Euro coins are here and Belgium Euro coins here
