Everyone is invited to express his/her opinion as to which of the collector coins minted in 2017 is the most appealing one in terms of the artistic solution, is emotionally moving, original or depicts the most interesting subject. The results of the vote and the award ceremony on 27 April will acknowledge artists' creativity and will show which issues and artistic solutions are the most popular with the public.
The results of the vote will be announced at the award ceremony on 27 April 2018 and published on Latvijas Banka's website bank.lv, as well as in the portals "Delfi.lv" and "rus.Delfi.lv". The vote will conclude with a draw where registered participants will have a chance to win one out of a pool of 16 collector coins all issued in 2017.
Six collector coins dedicated to Latvian culture, history and people were issued in 2017. Fairy Tale Coin III. The Old Man's Mitten (video), "Latgale Congress" (video), "Gold Brooches. The Horseshoe Fibula" (video), "Eduards Veidenbaums" (video), "Smith Forges in the Sky" (video) and "The First Session of LPNC" (video).
Latvia is proud of its coin design developed over more than 25 years. Latvian banknotes and coins, with over 50 best Latvian artists having participated in designing them, are included in the Cultural Canon of Latvia, and many coins have received high international recognition and a number of prestigious awards. These coins are considered to be a perfect gift promoting Latvia's culture, art and innovative design.
One of the purposes of the silver and gold collector coins is to tell the story of essential events in Latvian history, personalities, achievements in culture and philosophical categories to people in Latvia and abroad. Each coin carries a laconic message communicating rich content. It has been developed in an intensive creative process managed by the Coin Design Commission of Latvijas Banka, consisting of Latvijas Banka's specialists, outstanding Latvian experts of art and culture, and artists.
Anyone can vote for his/her favourite coin in portals "Delfi.lv".
Expert commission of the Latvian National Museum of Art (LNMM), composed of Māra Lāce, LNMM Director, Inese Baranovska, Head of LNMM Museum of Decorative Art and Design, and Elita Ansone, Head of LNMM Collections and Scientific Research Department ARSENĀLS, will decide which is the best coin in terms of artistic solution. This coin will be awarded the LNMM Special Award.
"Fairy Tale Coin II. Hedgehog's Coat" (information about the coin; video) was recognised as Latvia's Coin of the Year 2016; the author of its graphic design was Gundega Muzikante and the author of its plaster model was Ligita Franckeviča.
Since 2004, when Latvijas Banka organised the first public vote, the following coins have been recognised as Latvia's Coin of the Year: "Coin of the Time", "Baron Münchhausen", "Coin of Digits", "Coin of Time II", "Lucky Coin", "Coin of Water", "Amber Coin", "Fog Mists the Pane", "5 Lats Silver Collector Coin", "Baby Coin", "Baroque of Courland", "Fairy Tale Coin I. Five Cats" un "Fairy Tale Coin II. Hedgehog's Coat". "Baroque of Courland" (2014) is still available at e-monetas.lv and Latvijas Banka Cashier's Offices.
Since 1993, Latvijas Banka has issued 98 lats collector coins and 26 euro collector coins, with over 50 Latvian artists having participated in designing them.
Latvian coins have earned high international respect and a number of prestigious awards; moreover, the "Coin of Latvia" won the international 2010 Coin of the Year Award at the contest organised by US Krause Publications and its magazineWorld Coin News. In 2015, the silver collector coin "The Baltic Way" was recognised as the Best Contemporary Event Coin at this contest. This year, the collector coin "National Entrepreneur" was announced "The Most Artistic Coin of the Year" at the contest.