5 lats coin

The 5 lats coin was a Latvian lat coin minted in 1929, 1931 and 1932. It became a popular symbol of independence during the Soviet occupation. It was reproduced in several modern commemorative coins of Latvia and is used on the national sides of the Latvian 1 and 2 euro coins. The reverse design was featured on the 500 lats banknote and in watermarks of all lats banknotes.

5 lati
Latvia
Value5 Latvian lats
Mass25[1] g
Diameter37[1] mm
EdgeInscription "DIEVS SVĒTĪ LATVIJU" (God bless Latvia) with words separated by three six point stars
Composition0.8350 silver, 0.165 copper[1]
Silver0.6711[1] troy oz
Years of minting1929 (1929)–1932 (1932)[1]
Obverse
DesignThe large Coat of arms of Latvia. Denomination and year of issue inscription PIECI LATI (five lats)
DesignerRihards Zariņš
Reverse
DesignMaiden in stylized folk costume with ears of grain over her shoulder. Inscription LATVIJAS REPUBLIKA (Republic of Latvia)
DesignerRihards Zariņš

History
Zelma Braure, the model depicted on the coin

In February 1929, the Latvian Ministry of Finance decided to issue a 5 lat circulation coin depicting the head of a maiden, which would symbolize the Republic of Latvia and freedom.[2] The coin was designed by Rihards Zariņš. The image of the maiden on the coin is colloquially known as Milda (a Latvian female name). The model was Zelma Brauere (1900-1977), a proofreader of the State Securities Printing House. She served as a model for other works of the artist, including the 10 lats and 20 lats banknotes and the 50 santīmi coin.

In 1939, the Latvian government prepared to mint new 5 lats coins to be issued in 1941. The Latvian maiden was to be replaced by a portrait of the authoritarian leader of Latvia, Kārlis Ulmanis. Those coins were never minted as the Second World War broke out.[3]

After the Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940, lats continued to circulate alongside the Soviet ruble, although silver coins had largely disappeared from circulation. (Even prior to the war, Latvian people had started to hoard silver coins to prepare for the imminent crisis.) On 25 March 1941, all denominations of lats were abruptly annulled. As the general society was given no prior warning, an estimated 50 million lats were never exchanged for rubles. The people were left with suddenly-worthless coins and bills, except for sentimental value and the silver content in the coins.[4] The Soviet authorities, however, did have 5 lats coins worth around 3.6 million after the lat was removed from circulation. In 1960, Soviet authorities reportedly sold silver lats coins to foreign numismatists for 28 DEM[2] Around the same time the Soviet Bank started purchasing gold and silver coins of historical currencies. The 5 lats coin could be sold for 60 kopeks.[4]

Modern usage

The image of the maiden featured on the reverse of the coin was used in the design of the modern 500 lats banknote.[4] It is also used as a watermark for all lats banknotes.

Commemorative

The Bank of Latvia has issued two collector coins featuring the imagery of the 5 lats coin. The first was struck in 2003 as part of the international series The Smallest Gold Coins of the World.[5][6] The second was struck in 2012 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the bank. The Bank of Latvia worked with the British Royal Mint, which minted the original coins, to recreate the coin using electrotypes used in minting the original coins.[7]

Latvian Euro coins

In 2004, after a nationwide idea contest, the design was selected for the national side of Latvian Euro coins, and approved as a design for both the 1 and 2 Euro coins issued by Latvia.[8] The edge of the 2 Euro coin features an inscription similar to the one on the edge of the 5 lats coin.[9]

  • Obverse of the modern 500 lats banknote
  • Reverse of the gold commemorative coin
  • Obverse of the gold commemorative coin
  • Reverse of the silver commemorative coin
  • Obverse of the silver commemorative coin
  • The national side of the 1 Euro coin issued by Latvia
  • The national side of the 2 Euro coin issued by Latvia
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References
  1. "Latvia 5 Lati: 1929-1931". Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  2. Stradiņš, Jānis. "Pieclatu "Mildas" trešā atdzimšana" (in Latvian). Archived from the original on 2013-04-03. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  3. "Atrasts unikāls pieclatnieks ar Kārli Ulmani" (in Latvian). Delfi. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  4. Ducmane, Kristīne; Vēciņš, Ēvalds (1995). Nauda Latvijā (in Latvian). Rīga: Latvijas Banka. ISBN 9984-9092-9-8.
  5. "Pasaules mazākās zelta monētas" (in Latvian). Archived from the original on 10 March 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  6. "5-lats Collector Coin". Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  7. "5-lats Silver Collector Coin". Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  8. "The Design Models of the Latvian Euro Coins". Archived from the original on 27 June 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  9. "Latvian Euro Coins". Retrieved 4 March 2013.
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