1st of January - Eurozone joined Latvia!

Latvian Euro Coins

The banknotes throughout the euro area are similar, however the reverse of the coins is chosen by each country separately. This makes the creation process of the coins more complicated, but the users of these banknotes find interest in their diversity.

Although the euro-coin design partly differs in separate countries they are legal tender in all the euro-area.

When the euro will be introduced in Latvia the so-called national side of euro-coins (which differs among euro-area countries) will also depict our national symbols.

The folk maiden will be depicted on the national side of the Latvian one-euro and two-euro coins, whereas the 50-, 20- and 10-euro cent coins will feature the great coat of arms of Latvia and the 5-, 2- and 1-euro-cent coins the small coat of arms of Latvia. The design models are approved by the Euro Coins Subcommittee of the Economic and Financial Council (ECOFIN).

The design of the reverse of the Latvian euro coins was chosen at the all-Latvian competition of ideas in 2004. The jury chose as the best the proposal sent in by Ilze Kalnina. For the Latvian euro coins the jury of the competition of ideas chose the images that symbolize Latvia and its core values. This idea is also retained, although, not so broadly as planned, in the approved models. The graphic design for the 1- and 2-euro coins was created by Guntars Sietins and the euro cent design by Laimonis Senbergs.

The Latvian euro coins will be struck in accordance with the Latvia's National Euro Changeover Plan when the EU Council Resolution on the accession of the Republic of Latvia to the euro area has been taken. The striking of coins will require about half a year, provided the mint is chosen by way of a competition beforehand. As the institution responsible for the introduction of the cash and transfer settlements in transition from lats to euro, the Bank of Latvia is carrying out timely preparations to ensure the quality of the banknotes.

More information at the Bank of Latvia website.

Samples of Latvian euro coins design

€ 0.01 € 0.02 € 0.05

€ 0.10 € 0.20 € 0.50

€ 1.00 € 2.00 € 2 Monētas sānu malas