The Bank of Latvia today issued a 1-lats collector coin, the "Amber Coin". The author of its graphic design and plaster model is artist Aigars Bikše.

Amber - a mineral and semiprecious stone originating from the resin of ancient amber pines that used to grow in the territory of Latvia and is still washed ashore the Baltic Sea in small pieces - is now embedded in the "Amber Coin", marking its significance. In a way, the coin is also dedicated to all Latvian cities, towns and communities situated on the coast of the sea.

Amber has always been part of the Latvian heritage and even economy: amber jewellery has been made in Latvia for thousands of years; the oldest coins found in the Latvian territory came from ancient Rome by way of the so-called Amber Route and were paid for with amber. Money and amber literally meet in this coin: a small piece of amber has been carefully embedded in each coin. According to the artist's idea, the small amber cylinder has become the pupil of an eye. The eye that helps to look into the past and the surrounding world.

The 1-lats silver "Amber Coin" is legal tender in the Republic of Latvia. The maximum number of issued coins is limited to 7 000.

Face value: 1 lats
Weight: 20.70 g, diameter 35 mm
Metal: Silver
Purity: 0.925
Struck in 2010 by Rahapaja Oy (Finland)

Buy new Latvian coin: Amber coin

Source of information: Bank of Latvia www.bank.lv