Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 2 Euro 2019, KM# 203, Latvia, The Rising Sun
  • 2 Euro 2019, KM# 203, Latvia, The Rising Sun
  • 2 Euro 2019, KM# 203, Latvia, The Rising Sun, Coincard
Description

Latvijas Banka issued a 2 euro commemorative coin "The Rising Sun" dedicated to the history of the Coat of Arms of Latvia. The motif of a rising sun was very popular at the time of the foundation of the Latvian state. The rising sun symbolised the new country.

The sun motif created by artist Ansis Cīrulis in 1915 was first reproduced on the badges of the Latvian Riflemen Battalion and on the flag of the 1st Daugavgrīva Latvian Riflemen Battalion. It was also part of the design proposal for the symbol of an autonomous Latvia, created by artist Ansis Cīrulis in 1917. Later on this motif emerged as one of the basic elements of the Coat of Arms of Latvia.

The theme of the rising sun was used several times by Ansis Cīrulis in his work, including the first Latvian postage stamp and the interior decorations of the Ambassadors' Hall of the Riga Castle.

Obverse

Depicts an artistic image of the rising sun with stylized letters B and L (an abbreviation from the words "Brīva Latvija" / "Free Latvia") in the centre). An inscription "Rising sun" in Latvian on the top. Country name and date below.

The golden Sun in the Latvian coat of arms represents the sun of freedom. Sun symbol was used as a symbol of distinction and national identity by the Imperial Russian Army's Latvian Riflemen units during World War I. During the war, the Sun was fashioned with 17 rays that symbolized the 17 Latvian inhabited districts.

Engraver: Ivars Drulle

UZLECOŠA SAULE
BL
LATVIJA
2019

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

The Rising Sun

KM# 203
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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
Royal Dutch Mint (KNM)

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