On Thursday, 11 April 2013, the Bank of Latvia issued a new collector coin - Baby coin. The author of the graphic design is Anita Paegle, while the plaster model has been created by Jānis Strupulis. The coin has been struck by UAB Lietuvos monetų kalykla in Lithuania.

There is a nice tradition in Latvia to visit the newborn about a month after his or her arrival and share the joy about the offspring with the parents, relatives and friends. Along with the wishes of happiness and good health, we tend to bring the newborn some present – lasting, tangible evidence of good will that could be used right away or later in life to remind the recipient that his or her arrival in this world was met with great joy.

It has likewise become a tradition to give a coin of silver or gold as a present on such occasions, which would serve as a symbolic starting capital for a materially secure life. The Baby Coin issued by the Bank of Latvia is just such a present.

The averse of the coin features a baby in the cradle which is held by a bird and a semi-circled inscription LATVIJAS REPUBLIKA; there is a little mouse pulling a chest full of sweet dreams and the inscription "1 lats" beneath it on the reverse of the coin.

Face value: 1 lats
Weight: 22.00 g, diameter: 35.00 mm
Metal: silver of .925 fineness, quality: proof
Struck in 2013 by UAB Lietuvos monetų kalykla (Lithuania)

Edge: The inscription LATVIJAS BANKA and the year 2013, each repeated twice, are separated by rhombic dots.

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