2016-12-08 Thu

On 6th December, Latvia issued a new coin celebrating the 100th anniversary of a series of battles that occurred around Christmas 1916. These battles contributed immensely towards the independence of Latvia. Latvians were unwillingly living in the Russian Empire and the new coin honours the riflemen of the Christmas Battles which occurred from 5th to the 11th of January, 1917. A 30-kilometer front line from T?re?purvs to Olaine was formed by the Latvian national military units under Major General Augusts Ernests Misins (1863–1940). After the Great War the country celebrated statehood.

The obverse of the hexagonal coin features the sun-design from the Latvian riflemen’s badge with Latvian riflemen in the background. The central portion of the badge features eight broken sunbeams and a sword. Other inscriptions include 2016, LATVIJA and 5 Euro. The reverse features a snowflake, the point of a bullet’s impact and the inscription ZIEMASSVETKU KAUJAS (Christmas Battles). The mintage limit of the €5 .925 silver 28 g Proof coloured coin is 5,000.