Commemorative coin of the Republic of Latvia, issued in 2015 in a circulation of 1,000,000 copies. Joint issue of 19 eurozone countries in honor of the 30th anniversary of the EU flag. Minted at the Lithuanian Mint in Vilnius. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Obverse
The center of the coin depicts the flag of the European Union as a symbol uniting peoples and cultures with a common vision of a better future. Around the flag are twelve stars that smoothly transform into stylized human figures embracing each other - a symbol of the birth of a new Europe. At the bottom is the name of the issuing country "LATVIJA" (Latvia). At the top are the years "1985-2015". On the outer ring are 12 five-pointed EU stars.
Reverse
The reverse is the common side of the 2 euro coins of the second type, designed by Luc Luix (Royal Belgian Mint). It depicts a map of Europe as a single continent without internal borders - a symbol of European unity. On the left - a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right - a map with six thin horizontal lines in the background. On the outer ring - 12 stars of the European Union. The band - with thin ribbing and the Latvian inscription "DIEVS ★ SVĒTĪ ★ LATVIJU" (God bless Latvia - the name of the national anthem).
Historical context
The European flag is the official flag of the European Union, consisting of 12 golden five-pointed stars on a blue background, arranged in a circle. Designed and adopted by the Council of Europe on 8 December 1955 as a symbol of all of Europe. In 1985, it was adopted as its official symbol by the European Communities, the predecessor of the EU. The decision was made by the European Council at the Milan Summit on 28–29 June 1985 and entered into force on 21 April 1986. The twelve stars are not related to the number of member states, but symbolise perfection, completeness and unity. The blue colour was chosen as a symbol of the sky, the gold as a symbol of wealth. The design was designed by Arsène Heitz, a postal worker from Strasbourg, and approved by the heraldic consultant of the Council of Europe, Paul M. Levy, in 1955. Latvia became a member of the European Union on 1 May 2004, and joined the euro area on 1 January 2014.