Published: 01.01.2013

Measurements: diameter 21.75 mm; weight 4.80 g.
Material: cupro-nickel.
Struck in 2007 by Münze Österreich (Austria).
Artists: Arvīds Priedīte (graphic design), Jānis Strupulis (plaster model).

Obverse  Reverse 

Obverse
The large coat of arms of the Republic of Latvia, with the year 2007 inscribed below, is placed in the centre. The inscriptions LATVIJAS and REPUBLIKA, each arranged in a semicircle, are above and beneath the central motif, respectively.

Reverse
An owl fibula is featured in the centre of the coin, with the numeral 1 and the inscription LATS placed on the left and right side of it respectively.

Edge
Two inscriptions LATVIJAS BANKA (Bank of Latvia), separated by rhombic dots.


The large, silver-plated owl fibulae were widespread in the territory populated by the Balt tribes (Letgallians, Semigallians and Courlanders) in the second half of the Middle Iron Age (8th and 9th centuries) and were used for fastening men's clothing. Approximately 30 owl fibulae (of them 20 Letgallian owl fibulae) have been found in the present-day territory of Latvia, and some also in Lithuania and Estonia. As the process was rather labour-consuming, outstanding craftsmanship skills were required for producing them. Owl fibulae have been found in the burial grounds of rich persons and could be considered an object of prestige at that time. The vivid artefact of our cultural heritage now adds to the diversity of the range of 1-lats circulation coins.