Obverse. Photo © Monetnik.ru
  • 2 Euro 2020, KM# 208, Latvia, Latgalian Ceramics
  • 2 Euro 2020, KM# 208, Latvia, Latgalian Ceramics
Description

Latgale has always been unique in many ways. Latgalians formed as an ethnicity during the 6-7 century and were first mentioned in the Primary Chronicle of the Kievan Rus. Even though Latgalians preserved their culture throughout the centuries, their homeland has always been ethnically diverse. This small eastern part of Latvia was commonly shared by many nationalities – Poles, Belarussians, Russians, and Jews and was always a homeland for many talented people.

Traditional "Sooted" Latgalian pottery dating back to the 5th century AD and has survived throughout the times and has been passed down to the next generations. It is included in the Latvian Culture Canon and it represents one of the brightest pages of traditional culture.

Obverse

Depict a characteristic piece of Latgalian ceramics – clay candelabrum. It will also bear an inscription "Latgalian ceramics", the country name as well as the year of issue.

A candelabrum sometimes called a candle tree, is a candle holder with multiple arms. The word comes from Latin.

Engraver: Jānis Strupulis
Designer: Gundega Rancāne

2020 LATVIJA
LATGALES KERAMIKA

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

Latgalian Ceramics

KM# 208
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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