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Commemorative coin of the Republic of Latvia, issued in 2018 in a circulation of 501,000 copies. Joint issue of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Baltic States. Minted at the Lithuanian Mint in Vilnius. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Overse
The center of the coin depicts a common motif - a stylized composition symbolizing the unity and independence of the three Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania. The image combines allegorical symbols and silhouettes of maps of the three countries, held together in conscious unity. Around it are the inscriptions in Latvian: "BALTIJAS VALSTU NEATKARĪBAI 100" (100 years of independence of the Baltic States) and the name of the issuing country "LATVIJA". Below are the years "1918-2018". On the outer ring are the 12 five-pointed stars of the EU.
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 is a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right is a map with six thin horizontal lines in the background. On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the European Union. The band is finely fluted and has the Latvian inscription "DIEVS ★ SVĒTĪ ★ LATVIJU" (God bless Latvia - the name of the national anthem).
Historical context
The 100th anniversary of the independence of the Baltic States is an important anniversary dedicated to the restoration of the statehood of the three Baltic countries in 1918, after the end of World War I and the collapse of the Russian Empire. Lithuania declared independence on February 16, 1918, Estonia on February 24, 1918, and Latvia on November 18, 1918, when the People's Council, led by Karkas Ulmanis, proclaimed the Republic of Latvia at the National Theatre in Riga. During 1918-1920, the three countries fought for their independence in battles with the Bolsheviks and other forces. The interwar period (1918-1940) was a golden age, when states developed their own language, culture, and economy. In 1940, all three countries were occupied by the Soviet Union, and later by Nazi Germany (1941-1944). In 1991, independence was restored during the "Singing Revolutions." Coins with the same design were issued by all three countries in 2018.