Latvia

2019

Commemorative coin

The Rising Sun

Official Journal of the European Union

The coin is dedicated to the history of the Coat of arms of Latvia and features the motif of a rising sun. This motif was originally part of the design proposal for the symbol of the 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 motif of a rising sun has also been used by artist Ansis Cīrulis before, in the design of the Latvian riflemen’s badge and his other artworks. After the foundation of the Republic of Latvia in 1918 variations of the motif of a rising sun appeared in all design proposals for the Coat of arms of the new State. The Coat of arms of Latvia was officially adopted in 1921. The design shows the motif of the rising sun, with stylised letters B and L (an abbreviation from the words ‘Brīvā Latvija’ (Free Latvia)) in the centre. It also bears an inscription ‘UZLECOŠĀ SAULE’ (The rising sun), the name of the issuing country ‘LATVIJA’ and the year of issuance ‘2019’. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Additional information

The coin designed by Ivars Drulle is dedicated to the history of the Latvian national coat of arms. Ansis Cirulis created one of the basic elements of the coat of arms in 1915, the rising sun ( Uzlecošā saule) - the creation of a new country was compared to the sunrise. For the Latvian battalion Daugagrīva [1.206] he designed its flag with reference to the silver sun of Latvian mythology and the Dainas. In the centre of the sun, the ligature of the stylised letters "B" and "L" for "Brīva Latvija" (free Latvia) is placed on the coin - a dream still distant in 1915. In the foreground are the gently curving lines of the dunes and hills of the Latvian coast.

Edge lettering

Designer