This past August, the Bank of Latvia issued the very first 2 euro coin of special design called “Riga – European Capital of Culture 2014”.
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 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 organized program. Latvia’s next 2 euro commemorative coins of special design are projected for 2015.
Latvia became the 18th member of the eurozone on January 1 of this year, making business activities and travel between EU member states easier.
The same euro bills are circulated in Latvia as anywhere else in the eurozone, the design of euro bills features bridges, arches, and gateways as symbols of Europe’s unity.
There are eight denominations of euro coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent coins as well as 1 and 2 euro coins. The coins have a common or “European” side and a national side, which indicates the issuing country. Latvia’s euro cent coins show the small coat of arms of the Republic of Latvia, whereas Latvian euro coins feature a Latvian folk maiden from Latvia’s pre-war era currency.
