2016-09-03 Sat

The latest Latvian commemorative Brilliant Uncirculated ringed-bimetallic €2 coin celebrates the Vidzeme region, or “the middle” situated north of the Daugava River. It is the first coin falling under a special series which celebrates historical and cultural regions of Latvia and begins in 2016 to observe the country’s 100th anniversary. The coats of arms of Vidzeme, Latgale, Kurzeme and Zemgale would be featured on the coin designs. The first coin in the series would be released in November.

The obverse features the coat of arms of Vidzeme, also known in German as Livland, or Livonia, even though only a small area of the region falls in Swedish Livonia. Other inscriptions include LATVIJA, VIDZEME and 2016.

The mintage limit would be 1,030,000 pieces. The 8.5 grams coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag. The common reverse shows a map of the European Union.