1114) "Gifts of the Forest", Latvia: A 5 Euro Silver Proof Coin issued by the Bank of Latvia and minted by Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (the Royal Dutch Mint) on 14.10.2019:

1114) "Gifts of the Forest", Latvia:  A 5 Euro Silver Proof Coin issued by the Bank of Latvia and minted by Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (the Royal Dutch Mint) on 17.10.2019:

For other posts on Latvian Coins/Stamps, please visit the following links:

1) Latvian Folk Songs: "Smith Forges in the Sky": A 5 Euro Silver Coin issued by the LATVIJAS BANKA in 2017

2) Honey Coin: A 5 Euro Gold plated Silver coin minted by the Mint of Lithuania on behalf of the Bank of Latvia titled "Honey Coin" featuring honey-comb cells issued on 22.05.2018

3) Birds of Latvia (2018): Common Redshank (Tringa tatanus) and Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus): A set of two stamps issued by Latvijas Pasts (Latvia Post) on 08.06.2018

4) The Garden of Destiny ("Likendarzs") : A 5 Euro Silver coin commemorates the National Memorial Site/Project in Latvia, dedicated to all Latvians and their collective strength: Coin minted by the Royal Dutch Mint on behalf of the Bank of Latvia and issued on 22.06.2018

5) A 5 Euro Silver-Perculor Coin titled "The Earth" issued by the Bank of Latvia on 22.12.2016

6) Blind Talents, Latvia: Latvijas Pasts has issued a Postage stamp of 0.90 Euro featuring works of art created using the tactile painting technique - a method of painting adapted to visually impaired persons: Stamp issue date: 26.07.2019

7) "Gifts of the Forest", Latvia: A 5 Euro Silver Proof Coin issued by the Bank of Latvia and minted by Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (the Royal Dutch Mint) on 14.10.2019

The Bank of Latvia has brought out a 5 Euro Silver Collector's Coin on 17.10.2019, whose theme is the country's cultural relationship with nature and the affinity Latvians have with their forests. The Coin is dedicated to Latvia's values and sense of traditions created by the sense of belonging and uniting its citizens.

The Coin is titled "Gifts of the Forest" and is dedicated to the Latvian's respect of the forests and the gifts the forests provide, as well as, traditions related to the forests like - mushroom and berry picking.

The Reverse and Obverse of the 5 Euro Silver Coin placed against a background of a real forest setting

Mushroom & Berry picking traditions:

The translation of the words "mushrooms" in Latin is "fungi" or "mycota" and evokes associ9ations with a poetic world of nature.

The word "mycology" (or "the science of mushrooms") is also derived from it. Mushroom species are an old and large group of widespread organisms playing an important role in nature. Many wild animals eat them as their food, while worms and insects live in the fruit bodies of mushrooms.

Mushroom-picking skills have been often praised in Latvian Folk Songs. A collection of gifts from nature, both mushrooms and wild berries are an integral part of the everyday life traditions and the ethnic identity of Latvians. During the seasons of summer and autumn, special rituals in the countryside abound, which, for some folks, resemble the instinct of a diligent squirrel collecting provisions for the long winter.

Besides, there is an old belief that an abundance of mushrooms in the woods during autumn is a sure sign of poor grain harvest next year.

Latvians are found collecting mushrooms & berries during walks through the meadows, marshlands and forests which serve as a spiritual and physical relaxation and exercise.

Picking mushrooms is also a widespread pastime among Lithuanians and Estonians, as well as, most other Eastern Europeans, Finns, Swedes, Norwegians and the rest of Europe, North America, Australia and some parts of Asia.

There are over 70,000 species of mushrooms worldwide documented in literature, but their classifications have still not been completed yet.

 In Latvia alone, there are more than 4,000 species of mushrooms which have been identified, including 51 protected, 33 poisonous species and some hallucinogenic strains whose distribution is prohibited by law. Approximately, 270 mushroom species are edible, with keen mushroom pickers usually p-referring only about 20 to 30 species. Hardcore mushroom pickers will pick only penny buns and other edible boletes, chanterelles and saffron milk caps, leaving russulas, honey agarics and ugly milk caps untouched.

During the months of July and August, true gourmets look for parasol mushrooms, whose flavour is similar to that of hazelnuts and they are often eaten raw.

The Commemorative Coin:

The Royal Dutch Mint has brought out this coin at its facilities in Utrecht on behalf of the Bank of Latvia.

The Reverse of the 5 Euro Coin placed against a backdrop image of the Obverse of the coin

The Reverse of the Silver 5 Euro Coin presents a charming and traditional drawing of a young boy picking mushrooms, with a basket at his side. He has bent down to observe a bolete atop which is a small snail, looking back at him. On the side of the bolete, a small bolete is seen growing in the moss.

A bunch of raspberries is shown on the upper left part of this face.

The Obverse of the Silver 5 Euro Coin depicts a stylised mushroom, with mycelium shown in the centre.

The peripheral inscriptions are - the year of issue "2019" and country of issue "LATVIA" (on the left periphery and the denomination of the coin - "5 EURO" (at the centre right).

The specifications of this coin are:

Denomination: 5 Euro; Metal Composition: .925 Silver (Ag); Weight: 22.0 grams; Diameter/Size: 35.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Maximum Mintage: 4,000 pieces; Minted by:  Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (Royal Dutch Mint on behalf of the Bank of Latvia; Designer: (Obverse) Edmunds Jansons, (Reverse) Edgar Folks; Plaster Model: Ligita Franckevica; Year of issue: 2019.

The elegant Box in which the Coin is presented/housed.

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