Latvia Euro Coins

Before the European Single Currency, the official currency of Latvia was the Lats, first introduced in 1922 to replace the Latvian Ruble. Specifically, the exchange rate at the time was set at a value of 50 rubles = 1 lats.

In 1940, however, Latvia was completely absorbed by the USSR and the lats was replaced by the Soviet Ruble at a completely par exchange rate.

In 1993, Latvia regained independence and the Lats was reintroduced as the official currency in every respect. Unlike in 1922, this time the exchange rate was set at a value of 1 lats = 200 rubles.

The Lats was naturally divided into cents, which were defined as Santims.

Latvia has been a member of the European Union since January 1, 2004, but officially adopted the Euro only from January 1, 2014.

After this necessary introduction that allowed us to understand the general path of Latvia before arriving at the Euro, it is time 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 explore them together.

The first coin we will analyze is naturally the 1 Euro Cent Latvia. Specifically, this coin was created by two authors, namely Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis. It was minted for the first time in 2014.

On the Obverse, we can immediately notice the representation of the official coat of arms of Latvia, characterized by a shield featuring a stylized lion and a griffin, the sun, and the three stars at the top. To the left is the mint year, while at the bottom is the inscription LATVIJA.

All around, we can see the 12 five-pointed stars representing the European States.

On the Reverse, we are talking about the same face as any other 1 Cent coin.

Now let's look at the technical specifications:

• Materials: The material used for this coin is copper-plated steel. Specifically, steel makes up 94.35% while copper makes up 5.65%.
• Thickness: The thickness is 1.67 mm
• Weight: The weight is 2.30 g
• Diameter: The diameter is 16.25 mm
• Edge: The edge is completely smooth without any detail
• Engravers: Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis

The second coin to analyze, minted in 2014, is the 2 Cents Euro Latvia. Again, we are talking about the two authors of the first coin, namely Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis.

On the Obverse, we can indeed notice the same subject, which is the depiction of the coat of arms of Latvia, featuring a Shield with a lion and a griffin inside, the sun, and three stars at the top. At the bottom, there is the inscription LATVIJA, while on the left is the year of minting.

All around, as always, we can find the 12 five-pointed stars representing the European states.

On the Reverse, the coin features the same face as all the other 2 Cents European coins.

Let's analyze the technical specifications.

• Materials: In this case, the material used is copper-plated steel (steel 94.35% – copper 5.65%).
• Thickness: The thickness is 1.67 mm
• Weight: The weight slightly increases to 3.06 grams
• Diameter: The diameter is 18.75 mm
• Edge: The edge is characterized by a horizontal incuse line
• Engravers: Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis

Let’s move on to the third coin in this collection, namely the 5 Cents Euro Latvia. The authors are once again Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis. The coin was minted for the first time in 2014.

On the Obverse, we find the same small coat of arms of Latvia characterized by a Shield with three small stars at the top, inside the coat of arms is the stylization of a lion, a griffin, and the sun symbolizing the statehood of Latvia. To the left is the year of minting and lower down is the inscription LATVIJA, which means “LATVIA”.

All around the subjects, we can see the 12 five-pointed stars representing the member states of the European Union.

On the Reverse, as usual, the face is the same as the other 5 euro cent coins.

Let’s take a technical look at how this coin presents itself.

• Materials: Once again, we are talking about the same material, namely copper-plated steel, where steel makes up 94.35% and copper 5.65%
• Thickness: The thickness is practically the same as the two previous coins, which is 1.67 mm
• Weight: The weight slightly increases to 3.92 g
• Diameter: The diameter also increases a bit to 21.25 mm
• Edge: The edge is again completely smooth
• Engravers: Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis

We now turn to the coin of 10 Cents Euro Latvia. The authors are the same, namely Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis, although there are some small variations in the subject. Minted from 2014 onwards.

As we can see by observing the Obverse, the coat of arms of Latvia represented is much larger and more complete, rich in details that could not absolutely be included in the small coat of arms seen on the coins up to this point. In fact, the coat of arms is in its complete version, depicting the 3 stars that symbolize the historical regions of Latvia: Vidzeme, Courland/Semigallia, and Latgale. The sun is a symbol of statehood, the Lion is on the left, and the Griffin is on the right.

Just below, we find the year of minting divided into two digits, while even further down is the inscription LATVIJA, which means LATVIA.

All around, we notice the 12 five-pointed stars, and on the Reverse, the same face as the other 10 Cents coins.

The Reverse is the Common Side for all 10 euro cent circulating coins in the Euro Zone.

Let's look at it from a technical perspective.

• Materials: The material used this time is Nordic Gold, consisting of 89% copper, 5% aluminum, 5% zinc, and 1% tin.
• Thickness: The thickness is slightly higher than previous coins, reaching 1.93 mm.
• Weight: The weight also significantly increases, reaching 4.10 g.
• Diameter: The diameter is equal to 19.75 mm.
• Edge: The edge is ridged with thick milling.
• Engraver: Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis

Here we are with the 20 Cents Euro Latvia coin. As with the previous coins, we are talking about the same two authors who have characterized the coins seen so far. Specifically, they are Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis.

On the Obverse, we can once again notice the complete representation of the coat of arms of Latvia. This is rich in elements and details such as the large 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 large stars at the top symbolizing the three historical regions of Latvia.

Just below is the year of minting, which is divided into groups of two digits. Even lower is the inscription LATVIJA, which means Latvia.

All around, as usual, are the 12 five-pointed stars, while on the Reverse we are still talking about the same face as the other 20 Cents coins.

The Reverse is characterized by the Common Side, which is the same for all 20 cents.

Let's see the technical specifications together.

• Materials: Like the previous one, this coin is made of Nordic Gold (89% copper – 5% aluminum – 5% zinc – 1% tin)
• Thickness: The thickness increases to reach 2.14 mm
• Weight: The weight also increases to 5.74 g
• Diameter: The diameter is 22.25 mm
• Edge: The edge is a wide reeding
• Engravers: Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis

We have reached the third to last coin of this beautiful collection. Specifically, the coin we will analyze now is the 50 Cents Euro Latvia which made its appearance in 2014 along with the other coins of Latvia.

The authors in this case are Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis.

On the Obverse, we can notice the wonderful representation of the complete coat of arms of Latvia characterized in this case by a shield with a small lion and griffin inside, with the sun at the top and the same lion and griffin in large version supporting the same coat of arms outside, along with the three large stars placed at the top.

At the bottom, there is the year of minting which is divided as always into two sections and, even lower, the inscription LATVIJA which means LATVIA.

All around the coin are the 12 five-pointed stars representing the European states.

On the Reverse, we talk about the same face as the other 50 Cents European coins.

Now let's look at the technical characteristics.

• Materials: Once again, the material used is Nordic Gold characterized by 89% copper, 5% zinc, 5% aluminum, and 1% tin.
• Thickness: The thickness increases to 2.38 mm.
• Weight: The weight also significantly increases to 7.80 g.
• Diameter: The diameter is equal to 24.25 mm.
• Edge: The edge is reeded with a thick milling.
• Engraver: Laimonis Senbergs and Janis Strupulis

The penultimate coin to analyze in this collection is the 1 Euro Latvia. For this coin, we are still talking about two authors, but they are no longer the ones from the previous coins. The engravers are Guntars Sietins and Ligita Franckevica. Coin issued in 2014.

On the Obverse, we can see perfectly centered the representation of a Latvian girl, also known as Milda. The profile of the girl was already present on the 1929 5 Lats coin as a symbol of Latvian independence. To the left is the year of minting and the inscription LATVIJAS, while to the right is the inscription REPUBLIKA.

All around, we can notice the 12 five-pointed stars that represent the member states of the European Union on each coin.

On the Reverse, we find the Common Side of the 1 Euro coins.

Let's take a moment to analyze the technical characteristics 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: The weight also slightly decreases to 7.50 g
• Diameter: The diameter measures 23.25 mm
• Edge: The edge is discontinuously ridged
• Engraver: Guntars Sietins and Ligita Franckevica

We finally arrive at the last coin of this beautiful collection, namely the 2 Euro Latvia coin, minted from 2014 onwards. If the coin you are looking for is not here, you should check the commemorative coins of Latvia found here: 2 euro commemorative Latvia.

In this case, the authors are still the same, namely Guntars Sietins and Ligita Franckevica.

On the Obverse, as with the 1 euro coin, the coin features the representation of Milda, a Latvian maiden in profile facing right, symbolizing the freedom of Latvia. To the left of her face, we can see the year of minting followed by the inscription LATVIJAS.

On the right, the inscription REPUBLIKA is prominently displayed.

All around, as is the case with other European coins, are the 12 five-pointed stars representing the European states.

On the Reverse, we have the Common Side of the 2 Euro coins.

Without wasting any more time, let’s also look at the technical characteristics of this last coin.

• Materials: In this case, it is also a double material. Specifically, the outer part is made of nickel-brass (75% copper – 20% zinc – 5% nickel). The inner part, on the other hand, is made of copper-nickel (75% copper – 25% nickel).
• Thickness: The thickness is slightly reduced to 2.20 mm
• Weight: The weight, on the contrary, increases compared to the previous coin as it weighs 8.50 g. This is the heaviest coin in the entire collection.
• Diameter: The diameter is 24.25 mm
• Edge: The edge is finely milled and features the motif “DIEVS” followed by three stars “SVETI” followed by three stars and “LATVIJU” followed by three stars. In Latvian, it means “GOD BLESS LATVIA”.
• Engraver: Guntars Sietins and Ligita Franckevica