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A 2 euro commemorative coin of the Republic of Latvia, issued in 2018 with a circulation of 412,000 copies. The last in the series "Historical Regions of Latvia", dedicated to Zemgale. It was minted at the Lithuanian Mint in Vilnius. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Obverse
In the center of the coin is the coat of arms of Zemgale (Zemgales ģerbonis) - a historical heraldic sign of the region with a moose, symbolizing nature, courage and connection with the land. At the top is the name of the region "ZEMGALE". At the bottom is the name of the issuing country "LATVIJA" and the year "2018". The outer ring of the coin features the 12 five-pointed stars of the European Union.
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 rim is finely fluted and the Latvian inscription "DIEVS ★ SVĒTĪ ★ LATVIJU" (God bless Latvia - the name of the national anthem).
Historical context
Zemgale (Semigalia) is one of the four historical and cultural regions of Latvia, located in the southern part of the country, bordering Lithuania in the south, Kurzeme in the west, Vidzeme in the north and Latgale in the east. The area is about 11,000 km². The main cities are: Jelgava (the former capital of the Duchy of Courland, the modern center of the region), Bauska, Dobele, Tukums. Historically, it is the homeland of the Baltic tribe of Semigallians (zemgaļi), who actively resisted the German onslaught of the Livonian Order in the 13th-14th centuries. In 1561-1795, together with Kurzeme, it was part of the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia. Since 1795, it has been part of the Russian Empire. The Semigallian landscape is a fertile lowland, grain and livestock; the Lielupe River is the main waterway. Jelgava Castle (Jelgavas pils), built by Rastrelli for Duke Biron in the 18th century, is one of the most famous architectural monuments of the region.