On 12th of November, Latvijas Banka issued the Coin of the Seasons, a new 5 euro silver collector coin dedicated to Latvian ethnographic and folklore traditions.

The graphic design of the Coin of the Seasons is created by Arvīds Priedīte, and Ligita Franckeviča is the author of the plaster model. The coin was struck by Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (the Netherlands). The obverse features the Sun surrounded by the images of four farm labourers, depicted in an activity typical for one of the seasons. The ancient names of the season-concluding months are circled along the outer ring of the obverse. The reverse of the coin shows a potato with straws stuck into it, i.e. a traditional interior decoration of ancient Latvians, which in turn is surrounded by the images representing Latvian seasonal traditions. The names of ancient seasonal celebrations are circled along the outer ring of the reverse.

The constant alternation of the seasons is reflected in Latvian ethnography and folklore; seasonal processes organise the rhythm of people's lives and every-day activities. Via the change of seasons, the nation nurtures love for Latvia's nature, thus laying a solid foundation for such virtue as love for the native country and Fatherland.

The Coin of the Seasons is legal tender in the Republic of Latvia (yet hardly to be found in circulation, as collector coins in general are miniature works of art, highly admired and demanded by the numismatic community and other interested parties). Its maximum mintage is limited to 10 000 coins.

Face value: 5 euro
Weight: 22.00 g, diameter: 35.00 mm
Metal: silver of .925 fineness; quality: proof
Struck in 2014 by Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (the Netherlands)
Artists: Arvīds Priedīte (graphic design), Ligita Franckeviča (plaster model)

Obverse
The inner part of the obverse features the Sun surrounded by the images of four farm labourers, each depicted in an activity typical for one of the four seasons: a woodcutter (winter), a sowing man (spring), a crop harvester (summer), and a thresher (autumn). The ancient names of season-concluding months are circled along the outer ring of the obverse: the Candle Month, the Leaf Month, the Rye Month and the Frost Month. The inscription 5 EURO is placed to the right of the centre.

Reverse
The inner part of the reverse shows a potato with straws stuck into it, a traditional interior decoration of ancient Latvians. It is surrounded by the images representing the Latvian seasonal traditions: Father Christmas, a girl swinging at Easter, a Midsummer celebrant, and mummers who roamed farmsteads from Martinmas to Shrovetide. The names of ancient seasonal celebrations are circled along the outer ring of the reverse: CHRISTMAS, SHROVETIDE, EASTER, ŪSIŅI, JĀŅI, MĀRAS (the days of Ūsiņš, Jānis, Māra and Miķelis), and MARTINMAS. Going up to the right of the centre, there is the slantwise inscription LATVIJA, and the year 2014 is placed on the right hand side.

Edge
There are the inscriptions LATVIJAS BANKA and LATVIJAS REPUBLIKA, separated by rhombic dots.

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