On Wednesday, 3 July, the Bank of Latvia issued a collector coin with the motto "Gaismu sauca, gaisma ausa" (We called for light and there was light), dedicated to Jāzeps Vītols, a composer singing praise to the light and the founder of the professional musical education in Latvia. It marks the Professor's 150th anniversary. The coin has been designed by Aivars Priedīte and modelled by Jānis Strupulis. The coin was struck by Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (the Netherlands).

Before the birth of the Latvian state Jāzeps Vītols (1863–1948) was a Professor at the St. Petersburg Conservatory; he returned to his native land at mid-age, laid the cornerstone for professional musical education in the young Latvian state by establishing a conservatory and raised a whole generation of musicians.

There is indeed much light in Vītols's music, just to mention his solo songs (still not fully recognised) and choir songs (recognised, yet seldom performed). The paths of the light traced in his choir song Gaismas pils (Castle of Light) (1900) are, by all means, one of the most powerful symbols of the Latvian Song Festivals. It is always sung by the great joint mixed choir of the Festival and has also been conducted by Jāzeps Vītols himself.

Jāzeps Vītols's portrait in profile is featured on the obverse of the coin. The inscription JĀZEPS VĪTOLS is semi-circled on the left, the digit 1 on top of the inscription LATS is on the right, and Jāzeps Vītols's facsimile signature is at the lower part of the obverse. The lower part of the reverse features five horizontal parallel lines, from which rays of light are spreading out like an arc, with a semi-circled inscription GAISMU SAUCA, GAISMA AUSA (We called for light and there was light) at the top, and the year 2013 at the bottom.

Face value: 1 lats
Weight: 22.00 g, diameter: 35.00 mm
Metal: silver of .925 fineness, quality: proof
Struck in 2013 by Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (the Netherlands)
Artists: Arvīds Priedīte (graphic design), Jānis Strupulis (plaster model)

The collector coin "Jāzeps Vītols" is legal tender in the Republic of Latvia. The maximum mintage of the coin is limited to 3 000.

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