Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 2 Euro 2015, KM# 171, Latvia, Black Stork Protection Plan
  • 2 Euro 2015, KM# 171, Latvia, Black Stork Protection Plan
Description

The coin celebrates the 10th anniversarry of the Black Stork Protection Plan in Latvia. The black stork is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It is a widespread, but uncommon, species that breeds in the warmer parts of Europe (predominantly in central and eastern regions), across temperate Asia and Southern Africa.

From mid-April to the end of August, Latvia's country landscape is dotted with nests of the white stork (Ciconia ciconia), and during this period people are used to listening to the sounds of bill clattering and to seeing these lanky-bodied birds in the vicinity of ponds and rivers. The black stork (Ciconia nigra), on the other hand, is a widespread yet uncommon bird, seen rarely in marshy areas or inland waters hidden in ancient forest tracts. Most of the white and black stork population nests in Europe. As their current species and habitat conservation status is inadequate, these species are distinguished by the European Parliament and Council Directive as requiring special protection measures to ensure their survival and breeding.

Obverse

Depicts a black stork, country name and date below. The outer ring contains the twelve stars of the European Union.

The black stork (Ciconia nigra) is a large bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. Measuring on average 95 to 100 cm (37 to 39 in) from beak tip to end of tail with a 145-to-155 cm (57-to-61 in) wingspan, the adult black stork has mainly black plumage, with white underparts, long red legs and a long pointed red beak. A widespread but uncommon species, it breeds in scattered locations across Europe and east across the Palearctic to the Pacific Ocean. It is a long-distance migrant, with European populations wintering in tropical Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asian populations in the Indian subcontinent.

Unlike the closely related white stork, the black stork is a shy and wary species. It is seen singly or in pairs, usually in marshy areas, rivers or inland waters. It feeds on amphibians, small fish and insects, generally wading slowly in shallow water stalking its prey. Breeding pairs usually build nests in large forest trees—most commonly deciduous but also coniferous—which can be seen from long distances, as well as on large boulders, or under overhanging ledges in mountainous areas.

Engraver: Olga Šilova

LATVIJA
2015

Reverse

A geographical map of Western Europe spans the outer ring and inner core on the right side of the coin. The inscription 2 EURO is superimposed over the map of Europe, with the numeral “2” located in an open field representing the eastern Atlantic Ocean.

12 stars are located on the right side of the outer ring, with six stars atop the map of Europe and six stars below it; six vertical stripes cut across the inner core of the coin, visually connecting the upper and lower star segments.

Luc Luycx, a designer at the Royal Belgian Mint, designed the Euro’s common reverse; his initials, LL, are seen on the right side of the design, just under the “O” in “EURO.”

2 EURO
LL

Edge

Dievs, svētī Latviju! (God, Bless Latvia!) is the national anthem of Latvia. The words and music were written by Kārlis Baumanis (1834–1904).

DIEVS ★ SVĒTĪ ★ LATVIJU ★

2 Euro

Black Stork Protection Plan

KM# 171 Schön# 159
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Bi-Metallic
Ring Cupronickel
Center Nickel Brass
Weight 8.5 g
Diameter 25.75 mm
Thickness 2.2 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Lithuanian Mint (LMK)

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