Logo Title
obverse
reverse
Latvijas Banka

5 Euro – Latvia

Non-circulating coins
Commemoration: Latgale Congress
Latvia
Context
Year: 2017
Issuer: Latvia Issuer flag
Period:
(since 1991)
Currency:
(since 2014)
Total mintage: 3,000
Material
Weight: 26 g
Silver weight: 24.05 g
Composition: 92.5% Silver
Magnetic: No
Techniques: Milled, Coloured
Alignment: Medal alignment
Obverse
OBVERSE ↑
flip
Reverse
REVERSE ↑
References
KM: #Click to copy to clipboard189
Numista: #111180
Value
Exchange value: 5 EUR = $5.91
Bullion value: $68.83
Inflation-adjusted value: 7.31 EUR

Obverse

Description:
The obverse depicts participants of the Latgale Congress carrying a red-white-red unification poster. The inscriptions "5 euro" and "1917–2017" are at the top left and right.
Inscription:
5 euro

Lai dzeivoi apvienota

Latvija

1917–2017
Translation:
Long live united

Latvia

1917–2017
Script: Latin
Language: Latvian
Designer and engraver: Ivars Drulle

Reverse

Description:
The reverse shows women with children at the crucifix, with "Latgola" inscribed below.
Inscription:
Latgola
Script: Latin
Designer and engraver: Ivars Drulle

Edge

Plain

Mints

NameMark
Huguenin

Mintings

YearMint MarkMintageQualityCollection
20173,000Proof

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