Measurements: 130 x 65 mm.
Colour: brown.
Obverse
An ancient Latvian homestead and a stylized oak-leaf, which
is a see-through register, are superimposed on an ornamental
background, the banknote of 2004, 2007 and 2009 has two inscriptions of
the
nominal value 20 Ls embedded above. Across the top of the banknote,
there is the two-coloured inscription LATVIJAS BANKAS NAUDAS ZIME
(money note of the Bank of Latvia), beneath which the serial number of
the banknote is inscribed in red.
Across the bottom of the banknote, there are the inscriptions DIVDESMIT LATU (twenty lats) in two-coloured print, LATVIJAS BANKA (Bank of Latvia), the facsimile signature of the Governor of the Bank of Latvia, and the serial number of the banknote in black print.
On the right side of the banknote, there is a vertical ornamental band which is composed of the motif of Lielvarde belt and topped by the numeral 20. In the left upper part of the banknote, there are two brown relief dots (Braille) arranged horizontally on a white background that is watermarked. Beneath the watermark, the numeral 20 consisting of the microtext 'Ls 20' is superimposed on a band comprised of the inscriptions LATVIJAS BANKA (Bank of Latvia) in micro- lettering. The numeral on the 20 lats banknote of 2004, 2007 and 2009 is in special print, which produces an optical effect of changing colours depending on the angle of viewing. The horizontal band of the 20-lats banknote issued in 2004, 2007 and 2009 incorporates fine horizontal lines and a vertical band in relief with the numeral '20' repeated four times in different colours.
Reverse
It depicts a motif of traditional Latvian ornaments. A
vertical metallic band is worked into the paper to the left of the
centre of the banknote (the 20-lats banknote issued in 2004, 2007 and
2009
incorporates a broader metallic holographic band with the lettering 'Ls
20'), and a stylized oak-leaf (a see-through register) is to the right
of the centre. Across the top of the banknote, there is the inscription
DIVDESMIT LATU (twenty lats) and the numeral 20. The numeral 20 and the
two-coloured inscription LATVIJAS BANKAS NAUDAS ZIME (money note of the
Bank of Latvia) are at the bottom of the banknote.
A vertical band with diagonal stripes that shade into one another is on the left of the ornamental motif. Along the edge of the band, there is the inscription © LATVIJAS BANKA 1992 (© Bank of Latvia 1992) on a white background. A design of the large coat of arms of the Republic of Latvia, with the year of 1992, 2004, 2007 and 2009 inscribed beneath it, is depicted on the white background in the right lower corner of the banknote. Above the coat of arms, the paper is watermarked.
Watermark
A profile of a Latvian folk-maid wearing a traditional
head-dress.