December 17, 2015 – Latvijas Banka issues a 2 euro commemorative coin to honour 30 years of the European Union flag. The coin is legal tender in the Republic of Latvia and all the euro area countries. Designed by Georgios Stamatopoulos, it features 12 stars that morph into human figures embracing the birth of a new Europe.
Latvia / 2 Euros / Copper, Nickel, Brass / 8.50 g / 25.75 mm / Design: Luc Luycx (common side) and Georgios Stamatopoulos (national side) / Mintage: 1,000,000.
The graphic design of the coin has been created by Georgios Stamatopoulos of the Bank of Greece. The reverse of the coins issued by Latvijas Banka bears the inscription “LATVIJA”, and similar to all other 2 euro circulation coins of the Republic of Latvia, the edge lettering is “DIEVS SVETI LATVIJU” (GOD BLESS LATVIA), with the words separated by stars. The European or common side of commemorative coins, with the nominal displayed (artist Luc Luycx), and all other specifications do not differ from normal 2 euro circulation coins.
The new 2 euro coin is jointly issued by the euro area countries. The design of the coin was picked via a design contest organised by the European Commission in which around 100,000 European voters participated. The coin is a dedication to the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the European flag as an official emblem of the European Union.
The issuing volume of the commemorative coin “30 Years of the EU Flag” is 1 million. The experience of Latvijas Banka shows that this volume is sufficient to meet the demand, at least for several weeks, from all interested parties. Like any other piece of circulation money, this coin will be released via commercial banks, special points of sale and other enterprises. The new 2 euro commemorative coins are struck by Staatlichen Münzen Baden-Württemberg in Germany. 10,000 Brilliant Uncirculated quality coins in special souvenir packing will also be struck.
Map of Europe with the flag of each country embedded. Photograph: SiBr4 / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en
Georgios Stamatopoulos, the author of the winning design, has emphasised that the flag is a symbol uniting the nations and cultures that share a common future vision and ideals. The design features 12 stars that morph into human figures embracing the birth of a new Europe.
Latvijas Banka is carrying on the tradition of minting circulation coins of special design. Each country in the euro area is entitled to issue two commemorative coins per year. Also, they are allowed to produce a third coin, provided that it is issued under a jointly organised programme. In 2015, Latvijas Banka has already issued a 2 euro commemorative coin honouring the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union; towards the close of the year, it is envisaged to produce another 2 euro commemorative coin featuring the stark.
More information on this and other releases is available at the site of the Bank of Latvia.