This coin is a dedication to the Latvian riflemen, heroes of the Christmas Battles, and their eternal contribution to the future. The Christmas Battles raged from 5 to 11 January 1917 (from 23 to 29 December 1916, old style) along a front line of 30 km stretching from Tīreļpurvs to Olaine. Latvian national military units, joined together in one division under major general Augusts Ernests Misiņš (1863–1940, later the first general of the Latvian army), were involved in theses battles for the first time.

Despite the losses of Latvian riflemen of around 9 000 soldiers in this military campaign – the dead, the wounded and the missing, which fomented depression, hopelessness and bitter disappointment with the tsarist regime, these battles brought international fame to the riflemen as outstanding and fearless warriors. It was a kind of statement and proof of national vitality, a noble sacrifice on the altar of the dream about the would-be State of Latvia.