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Wednesday 14 October 2020

1514) "Modernism in Latvia (The 1960s)": A 5 Euro Silver Coin with selective Gold Plating issued by Lietuvos Monetu Kalykla (Lithuanian Mint) on behalf of Latvia: Date of Coin issue: 02.10.2020:

1514) "Modernism in Latvia (The 1960s)": A 5 Euro Silver Coin with selective Gold Plating issued by Lietuvos Monetu Kalykla (Lithuanian Mint) on behalf of Latvia: Date of Coin issue: 02.10.2020:

During the Cold War, the borders of the Western and Eastern blocs were strictly maintained - guarded by the myth of a nuclear war threat, equally cultivated on both sides of the Iron Curtain.

At that time, Latvia was on the Eastern side of the wall. Here the change in ideals shaped by the new generation could be felt.

In the "sixties" came de-Stalinisation and regime liberalisation processes in the USSR.

This Collector Coin is dedicated to Art in Latvia in the 1960s - a time that is called "thaw in connection with political developments".

These in everyday life translated into greater hope for freedom and prosperity and it also brought about a  revolution/renaissance in Culture and the Arts.

The flourishing of free-thinking forms of Art promoted tighter ideological control in the Fine Arts, while the field of decorative Applied Art and Design was able to develop more freely, allowing modernism to unfold in design and architecture.

To reflect the characteristics of this time, this Commemorative Coin uses graphic elements from the works of some important authors of that time - architect Marta Zigrida Stana (1913-1972) and the artists Zina Ulste (1928-2005), Gunars Kirkes (1926-1993) and Uldis Razums (1944-2019). 

Art forms created by free-thinking artists (called Formalism" at that time) flourished , and the decorative and Applied Arts and Design breathed and developed more freely.

This set of graphic means of expression is a testament to the unifying phenomenon of modern stylists.

The Commemorative Coin:

The Obverse and Reverse of the 5 Euro Special Shaped coin placed side-by-side

On the Obverse of the 5 Euros Silver, with selective/partial Gold Plating Coin are seen fragments of the graphic design of a set of stationery/postal paper set (1968: The Horse Motif) created by Uldis Razums and a graphic motif from the cover of the record "Dzeza festivals 68" ("Jazz Festival 68" - 1968) created by Gunars Kirke have been featured with frosting of three different levels of intensity and gold plated details of the motifs.

The inscription "LATVIJA"(Latvia" - the name of the issuing country) is placed vertically on top left of this face, with the year of issue "2020" inscribed on top right.

On the Reverse of the 5 Euros Silver with selective/partial Gold Plating Coin is seen a fragment of the décor of the coffee set "Saulite" (The Sun: 1964-1970) designed by Zina Ulste and a fragment of the blue-print of the residential building in Brivibas Street 313 Riga (1967) Project, developed by Marta Zigrida Stana, Imants Jakobsons and Harolds Kanders, with frosting of two different levels of intensity and gold plated details of the motifs.

The inscription "5 Euro" is placed vertically in two rows along the right edge of this face from the centre upwards.

The Specifications of this Coin are:

Theme: "Modernism in Latvia (The 1960s); Country of issue: Latvia; Denomination: 5 Euros; Year of Issue: 2020; Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Diameter/Size: 32.0 mm x 32.0 mm; Weight: 26.25 grams; Shape: Square; Coin Quality: Proof, Antique Finish; Edge: Plain; Mint: Lietuvos Monetu Kalykla (Lithuanian Mint); Mintage: 3,000 pieces; Special Techniques: Partially Plated, Special Finish, Special Shape; Designers:  Sandra Krastina, Janis Strupulis.








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