Logo Title
obverse
reverse
Latvijas Banka

5 Euro – Latvia

Non-circulating coins
Commemoration: Dedicated to all Latvian folk songs.
Latvia
Context
Year: 2017
Issuer: Latvia Issuer flag
Period:
(since 1991)
Currency:
(since 2014)
Total mintage: 4,000
Material
Diameter: 38.61 mm
Weight: 31.47 g
Silver weight: 29.11 g
Shape: Round
Composition: 92.5% Silver
Standard: Silver ounce
Magnetic: No
Technique: Milled
Alignment: Medal alignment
Obverse
OBVERSE ↑
flip
Reverse
REVERSE ↑
References
KM: #Click to copy to clipboard187
Numista: #128432
Value
Exchange value: 5 EUR = $5.91
Bullion value: $83.31
Inflation-adjusted value: 7.31 EUR

Obverse

Description:
A rider in ethnographic dress raises his right hand, holding an orb that shoots nine lightning bolts. Clouds and raindrops surround the horse. Below, a semi-circular inscription reads: "KALĒJS KALA DEBESĪS, OGLES BIRA DAUGAVĀ."
Inscription:
KALĒJS KALA DEBESĪS,

OGLES BIRA DAUGAVĀ.
Translation:
The blacksmith forges in heaven,

The coals fall into the Daugava.
Script: Latin
Language: Latvian
Designer: Edgars Folks

Reverse

Description:
The coin's upper section depicts Latvian ethnographic jewelry and raindrops above the inscription "5 EURO." Below, a shawl with a headpiece and jewelry is shown, with the year 2017 to its right. The phrase "ES PAKLĀJU VILLAINĪTI, MAN PIEBIRA SUDRABIŅA." arches above the central motif.
Inscription:
ES PAKLĀJU VILLAINĪTI, MAN PIEBIRA SUDRABIŅA.

5 EURO

2017
Translation:
I, VILLAINĪTE, SWEAR, I WAS SHORT OF SILVER.

5 EURO

2017
Script: Latin
Language: Latvian
Designer: Edgars Folks

Edge

Plain with inscription
Legend:
LATVIJAS BANKA ◊ LATVIJAS REPUBLIKA ◊
Translation:
LATVIJAS BANKA ◊ LATVIJAS REPUBLIKA ◊
Language: Latvian

Categories

Animal> Horse
Art> Music

Mints

NameMark
Royal Dutch Mint

Mintings

YearMint MarkMintageQualityCollection
20174,000Proof

Historical background

In 2017, Latvia was in its fourth year as a member of the Eurozone, having adopted the euro on January 1, 2014. This transition from the national currency, the lats, was largely viewed as successful and had solidified the country's economic and political integration with core European institutions. By 2017, the euro was firmly established in daily use, with public support for the currency remaining relatively stable and the initial period of price-level adjustments largely complete. The macroeconomic environment was one of steady, moderate growth, with low inflation and a stable financial sector.

The primary currency-related discussions in Latvia during 2017 were not about the euro itself, but about broader financial governance and security within the monetary union. As a member of the Eurozone, Latvia's monetary policy was set by the European Central Bank (ECB), which continued its expansive quantitative easing program to stimulate the euro area economy. Domestically, attention focused on maintaining fiscal discipline to meet Eurozone stability criteria and on addressing longstanding issues within the banking sector. This was particularly salient following the 2016 liquidation of ABLV Bank, which underscored concerns about financial supervision and the sector's exposure to non-resident deposits, primarily from the former Soviet Union.

Furthermore, 2017 was a year of looking forward within the Eurozone framework. There was active Latvian participation in discussions on deepening the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), including proposals for a European banking union and further fiscal integration. Domestically, the government's focus was on leveraging the stability of the single currency to attract investment and converge with average EU income levels, while ensuring that the national economy remained competitive within the euro area. Thus, the currency situation was characterized by operational normality, with policy debates centered on enhancing the architecture and security of the Eurozone system to which Latvia was now irrevocably tied.
💎 Extremely Rare