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Friday 8 November 2019

1133) Centenary Celebrations of Latvia's "Freedom Fights" (or the "War of Independence") (1918 -1920) : Latvijas Banka ("Bank of Latvia") has issued a Silver 5 Euro Commemorative Coin celebrating the Centenary of the "Liberation of Riga" (1919-2019): Coin minted by Lithuanian Mint: Coin issue date: 07.11.2019:

1133) Centenary Celebrations of Latvia's "Freedom Fights" (or the "War of Independence") (1918 -1920) : Latvijas Banka ("Bank of Latvia") has issued a Silver 5 Euro Commemorative Coin celebrating the Centenary of the "Liberation of Riga" (1919-2019): Coin minted by Lithuanian Mint: Coin issue date: 07.11.2019:



The Freedom Fights (Latvia's War of Independence - 1918-1920):

The Republic of Latvia was born on the ruins of empires that had collapsed as a result of World War I.

It took the people of Latvia more than one and a half years to defend the newly acquired freedom and defeat both external and internal enemies with weapons in hand. The military and political fight demonstrated the political maturity of the Latvian nation, its selflessness and the right to live in independent, democratic and free Latvia.

One of the most significant and challenging  stages in the history of Latvia, was the period between the proclamation  of the Republic of Latvia on 18.11.1918 and the signing of the Peace Treaty with the newly formed Union of Soviet Socialist Republics - the successor to the Russian Empire on 11.08.1920.

This period is known today as the "Latvian War of Independence". The terminology is relatively new, and it reflects the nature of this particular historical process i. e. the Latvian people's fight for the existence and independence of its national state. The War for Independence is also addressed by various other names - "Liberation War", as well as, the emotional "Freedom Fights" and "Freedom War". All these names symbolise one concept - the Latvian nation's fight for its freedom, independence and statehood in 1918-1920.

It was during the Latvian War of Independence that institutions of the new State were gradually established and the Latvian Army was born. Soldiers of Latvia had to fight fierce battles to bring freedom for the country. 

During late 1918, the situation seemed somewhat hopeless, since the army of a foreign occupying power was still present in Latvia and the Red Army was rapidly approaching from the East. The Latvians had to set up public authorities, find allies and build up their defence forces.

In 01/1919, only a few hundred soldiers, who believed in Latvia's existence, left Riga, when faced with superiority of the enemies. Nevertheless, in six months time, following the liberation of Kurzeme, Zemgale and Vidzeme, as well as, the victory  won in the Cesis battles, a single Latvian Army was established in Riga, with tens of thousands of soldiers already being a part of it.

The "Bermondtiade":

 This was one of the most serious ordeals the new country had ever witnessed. The Latvian Army and its soldiers demonstrated significant fighting ability and great selflessness, gaining a victory after two months of intense battles.

11.11.1919 marked an important milestone in these battles, when Riga was liberated from the troops under the command of Pavel Bermondt. This date is also considered the symbolic day of the founding of the Military Order of Lacplesis - the highest military decoration of Latvia.

2019 marks the 100th Anniversary of the formation of the Latvian Army and liberation of Riga from Bermondt's troops. 

It was only after the defeat of Bermondt's forces and liberation of Latgale in early 1920, that Latvia could fully focus on strengthening its independence. This was done successfully, since the people of Latvia believed in the existence of their state and were defending a fiercely fought independence.

The Commemorative Coin:
The Reverse of the Silver 5 Euro Coin placed against a background representation of the Obverse of the Coin

The Latvijas Banka (Bank of Latvia) has issued on 07.11.2019 , a Silver 5 Euro Collector Coin dedicated to the Latvian War of Independence.

This Collector Coin is titled "Freedom Fights (1918-1920) and is dedicated to the Latvian War of Independence and all those people who helped the nation to win its independence and who hold freedom in high esteem.
On the Obverse of the Silver 5 Euro Coin is seen a stylised march of fighters depicted in the Cubist manner in the centre of this face and a soldier bidding farewell to his fiancée - to the left of centre. 

The inscription "BRIVIBAS CINAS" (meaning "FREEDOM FIGHTS") is inscribed towards the upper right periphery, while the country name and the years of the Latvian War of Independence, appear towards the lower right periphery - "LATVIJA" and "1918-1920".
On the Reverse of the Silver 5 Euro Coin is seen the red-white-red flag of Latvia in the centre, with broken entrenchment barriers on each of its sides. The Coin is minted using a two-colour print to feature the Flag.

The inscription "5 Euro" is seen on this face's upper left periphery, while the year of issue "2019" appears towards the lower right periphery.
The Edge of the Silver 5 Euro Coin shows incused inscriptions "LATVIJAS BANKA", separated by rhombic dots.

The specifications of this coin are:

Denomination: 5 Euro; Weight: 22.0 grams; Diameter/Size: 35.0 mm; Metal Composition: .925 Silver (Ag); Coin Quality: Proof; ar divu krasu uzdruku aversa; Edge: The incused inscriptions "LATVIJAS BANKA" are separated by rhombic dots; Minted by: UAB Lietuvos manetu kalykla (Lithuanian Mint at their facilities in Vilnius) on behalf of the Bank of Latvia; Graphic Design: Andris Varpa; Plaster model: Andris Varpa; Mintage: 4,000 pieces; Year: 2019.







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








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