The graphic design of the national side of the coin has been created by Gunārs Lūsis, and Jānis Strupulis is the author of the plaster model. The new 2 euro coin has been struck by Staatliche Münzen Baden-Württemberg in Germany, the same mint commissioned to strike Latvia's euro circulation coinage and the first 2 euro commemorative coin dedicated to Riga, European Capital of Culture 2014, which was put into circulation in summer 2014.
The common or European side of the commemorative coins (with the nominal displayed; artist – Luc Luycx), material, size and edge do not differ from normal 2 euro circulation coins. What makes them different is the national side.
Latvia has taken over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) at a very significant moment for the future of Europe. Challenging tasks are to be undertaken in many areas, including the recovery of economic growth, investment promotion and job creation. Latvijas Banka also extends support, with its experts being actively involved in the work performed by the team of the public administration and contributing to the decisions beneficial for all EU Member States.
The commemorative coin is the contribution of Latvijas Banka to raising public awareness of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU in Latvia and abroad. The Latvian Presidency will enable the Europeans to discover Latvia anew, while the coins featuring the symbol of Latvia's Presidency, the millstone, are made available not only to the population of Latvia, but also to thousands of individuals across euro area.
The mintage of the coin "The Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU" is 1 million, with 5 000 coins of Brilliant Uncirculated quality, packed in special souvenir packaging (the price of the coin at the cashier offices of Latvijas Banka is 7.30 euro), as well as the sets of the euro circulation coins dedicated to the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU: Brilliant Uncirculated (15 000 pcs.) and proof (5 000 pcs.) quality. The price of the above sets at the cashier offices of Latvijas Banka is 18.00 euro and 50.00 euro respectively.
The coin "The Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU" carries on the tradition of minting commemorative coins in Latvia. Each country in the euro area is entitled to issue two commemorative coins per year. Also, they are allowed to produce a third coin, provided that it is issued under a jointly organised programme.
