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.

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

8) Centenary Celebrations of Latvia's "Freedom Fights" (or the "War of Independence") (1918-1920): Lat6vijas 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

9) Coat of Arms of Cities and Regions of Latvia: A set of five stamps issued by Latvijas Pasts (Latvia Post) depicting the Coats of Arms of Babite (1.42 Euro), Durbes (1.0 Euro), Koknese (1.35 Euro), Krimuldi (1,29) and Vilani (1.54 Euro) Municipalities: Stamp set issue date 03.01.2020

10) "Ancient Postal Routes - by Horse Transport & Bicycles", Latvia: EUROPA 2020 theme: A set of two postage stamps of 1,35 Euro and 1.42 Euro issued by "Latvijas Pasts" (Latvian Post): Date of Stamp set issue: 08.05.2020

11) The First Latvian Opera - "Banuta", Latvia: Centenary Celebrations of the popular symbol of Latvian Classical music (1920-2020): A postage stamp of 1.00 Euro brought out by Latvijas Pasts (Latvian Post): Date of Stamp issue: 03.07.2020

12) "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