5 euro – Gifts of the Forest

On Thursday, 17 October, Latvijas Banka is issuing a silver collector coin "Gifts of the Forest". The coin dedicated to Latvia's nature bears a message of Latvian values and traditions creating the sense of belonging to Latvia and uniting its people. The coin shows our respect to Latvia's forests, the gifts they provide as well as traditions related to forests, e.g. mushroom and berry picking etc. Grateful collecting of the gifts of nature, both mushrooms and wild berries, is an integral part of the everyday life traditions and the ethnic identity of Latvians. It is a special summer and autumn ritual in the sanctuary of the nature. The graphic design of the collector coin "Gifts of the Forest" has been created by Edmunds Jansons (obverse) and Edgars Folks (reverse), whereas the author of the plaster model is Ligita Franckeviča. An interesting approach has been used in designing this coin: each side of it has a different author with his unique style. The coin was struck by Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (the Netherlands).