2017-09-01 Fri

Gold Brooches: The Horseshoe Fibula, a new 20 euro gold collector coin was issued on 31st August by the Bank of Latvia. The coin replicating a horseshoe fibula continues the series of euro gold collector coins devoted to Latvia's centenary. In November 2016, a collector coin featuring a disc fibula was issued, but in 2018, the anniversary year, this series will be finishing with a golden collector coin, replicating a bubble fibula.

The Latvia’s centenary celebration is based on the ideology of involving the general public into the process of creating the celebration and the connected long-lasting values. All the preparations for Latvia’s centenary will begin with tasks and events planned for 2017, but the festivities and activities rejoicing Latvia will continue for five years. Also, valuable contribution will come from the Latvian Bank as they will research on significant developments in the financial history of Latvia and assessment of the contribution of outstanding personalities. Also, a number of commemorative and collector coin series and several coins dedicated to the foundation of the state will be created. The Bank of Latvia will conclude Latvia's centenary celebration by marking the 100th anniversary of the national central bank on 1 November 2022.

Ing?na Elere has made the graphic design of the collector coin “Gold Brooches: The Horseshoe Fibula" and Solvita Rulle has created the plaster model. Both artists are also the authors of the coin, replicating the disc fibula.

The coin "Gold Brooches. The Horseshoe Fibula" has been minted by the Austrian Mint. Inscriptions "#Latvija", "#pakavsakta", "#8_12gs", "20 euro" and "#2017" are depicted on the obverse of the gold coin, while the reverse features a stylized image of a 12th-century horseshoe fibula with star-shaped ends.

According to the concept of artist Ing?na Elere, the brooch featured on the coin gives centuries-old information, while the hashtags highlighting the times we live in are located on the obverse of the coin. The brooch tells us a very interesting tale about the ancient times in Latvia’s history, but the reverse of the coin talks about the present day, i.e. how we communicate in the digital world.

The history of the brooch in the territory of Latvia began with various brooches from the early Iron Age (first through fourth century CE) – the so-called eye fibulae, tutulus fibulae, cross-ribbed fibulae, arbalest fibulae and round disc fibulae with openwork wheel, cross and fire cross motifs. The older brooches were imported, but soon the local craftsmen began to use them as models to make their own brooches. Brooches were used to fasten and adorn clothing by all – men, women and children.

The territory of contemporary Latvia has used the horseshoe fibula for almost 1,000 years and is considered to be the most popular type of ancient brooch. In the late Iron Age, brooches became a typical adornment as they were cast in bronze, iron, and silver. Only at the end of the 17th century were horseshoe fibulae were completely replaced by ring fibulae.

The collector coin "Gold Brooches: The Horseshoe Fibula" is legal tender in the Republic of Latvia, yet the release of such coins in circulation is highly unlikely. They are in fact works of art and are in special demand among coin collectors and other interested parties. The maximum mintage of the coin is limited to 4,000.