Latvian 2 euro coin

This article is about the official 2 euro coin of Latvia. For fantasy coins of Latvia denominated at 2 euros, see Latvian 2 euro coin (fantasy).

2 euros
Obverse
General information
Country	Latvia Eurozone
Value	€2.00
Years	2014–present
Measurements and composition
Mass	8.4 g
Diameter	25.75 mm
Thickness	2.2 mm
Composition	Ring: cupronickel Center: three layers: nickel-brass, nickel, nickel-brass
Appearance
Shape	round
Alignment	medallic
Edge	"DIEVS ★ SVĒTĪ ★ LATVIJU", reeded
Obverse	Latvian maiden, 12 stars, state title, year (general issue)
Reverse	Map of Europe, 12 stars, value
v · d · e

The 2 euro coin of the Republic of Latvia is a circulation coin. Produced as early as July 2013 at the Stuttgart branch of the Baden-Württemberg State Mint, the piece has been distributed by the European Central Bank (ECB) since January 1, 2014, when Latvia adopted the euro. It has been issued as a general issue piece and also as two commemoratives. The coin is currently considered valid legal tender with a face value of 2.00 euros in all of the eurozone, including Latvia, and also in a handful of other locations.

Coins

The common reverse

Like every circulation 2 euro coin, those of Latvia are bimetallic, having an outer ring composed of cupronickel and a center of nickel-brass outer layers and a nickel inner layer. They have a mass of approximately 8.4 grams, a diameter of 25.75 millimeters, and a thickness of 2.2 millimeters. Inscribed along the reeded edge of the coins is the Latvian "DIEVS ★ SVĒTĪ ★ LATVIJU" (English: "God, Bless Latvia"), the title of Latvia's national anthem. The pieces have medallic alignment and are round in shape.

All Latvian 2 euro coins share a common reverse designed by Belgian artist Luc Luycx (1958–). Displayed at the center right is a map of much of the European continent. It is mostly located in the nickel-brass center, although certain portions extend into the outer ring. Twelve five-pointed stars, connected to lines cutting across the map of Europe, are present in the rim of the coin, representing the stars on the flag of Europe. Six of these stars are engraved above the illustration of the continent, while the remaining six are shown below Europe. The value "2 EURO" is printed in the middle of the coin. The numeral "2" is printed in a much larger font than the word that accompanies it, and is located almost entirely in the nickel-brass center, although a tip extends into the cupronickel. The "EURO" superimposes the map of Europe; the first three letters are engraved in the coin's center while the "O" is written in the ring. Present to the right of Cyprus in the map, located in the cupronickel ring, are the "LL" initials of the artist Luc Luycx. The rims of both the obverses and reverses of all Latvian 2 euro coins are raised and undecorated.

General issue coin (2014–present)

The Republic of Latvia initially planned to adopt the euro at the beginning of 2008, but the adoption date was subsequently delayed for various reasons. In September 2012, the official target date set for Latvia to adopt the euro was January 1, 2014. A tender for the minting of Latvian euro coins began on September 20, 2012, and on December 10 of the same year Latvia announced it would utilize the services of the Stuttgart Mint. The National Bank of Latvia officially publicized the Latvian euro designs in July 2006 on its homepage, following a national ideas competition that took place in 2004.

Featured in the center of the obverse is the Latvian maiden, an illustration of a right-facing woman in a stylized folk costume with ears of grain over her shoulder. Such a depiction was originally designed by artist Rihards Zariņš (1869–1939) for use on the original Latvian 5 lats coin, but adapted for use on the Latvian 1 and 2 euro pieces by Guntars Sietiņš (1962–) and engraved by Ligita Franckeviča (1947–). Printed in a stylistic font inside of a ribbon encircling the maiden is the state title of Latvia, "LATVIJAS REPUBLIKA", which translates to English as "Republic of Latvia". Both words are separated from each other by the image in the center, the word "LATVIJAS" printed at the left and "REPUBLIKA" inscribed at the right. Between the "LATVIJAS" and the Latvian maiden is the Gregorian year of minting, arched towards the former and written in Western Arabic numerals in an upward direction. In the cupronickel outer ring, twelve five-pointed stars are present, reflecting the twelve stars on the flag of Europe like those on the reverse.

Since 2014, a total of 20,055,000 general issue Latvian 2 euro coins have been produced. Of these, 20,000,000 were made for circulation; 45,000 are included in Brilliant Uncirculated sets for collectors; and 10,000 are proofs in sets.

Mintages
Year	Mintage	Notes
2014	20,000,000	General issue
2014	30,000	BU, in sets
2014	5,000	Proof, in sets
2015	15,000	BU, in sets
2015	5,000	Proof, in sets

Commemorative coins (2014–present)

Main article: Latvian 2 euro coin/Commemorative

Since 2014, the Republic of Latvia has issued four commemorative 2 euro coins: two in both 2014 and 2015. Topics include the selection of Riga as the European Capital of Culture (2014), the 30th anniversary of the Flag of Europe (2015), the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (2015), and the black stork (Ciconia nigra) (2015). Future pieces are expected to commemorate dairy farming (2016) and the cultural regions (2016–2019) and administrative divisions (2020–?) of Latvia.

Country	Issues	2014	2015		2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
			reg.	30YF
Latvia	4	Y	Y/Y	Y	S/S	S	S	S	S

References

• Latvia and the euro on the English Wikipedia
• 2 euro coin on the English Wikipedia
• Latvijas Banka – The Design Models of the Latvian Euro Coins
• Numista – 2 Euro (Latvia)

v · d · e Latvian euro coins
Official issues	1₡ • 2₡ • 5₡ • 10₡ • 20₡ • 50₡ • €1 • €2 (Comm.) • €5
Fantasy patterns	1₡ • 2₡ • 5₡ • 10₡ • 20₡ • 50₡ • €1 • €2 • €5
Miscellaneous	Latvian maiden • National Bank of Latvia • Stuttgart Mint