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Monday, 6 November 2023

3068) Latvian Basketball Association, Latvia: The Bank of Latvia ("Latvijas Banka") has issued a 5 Euro Silver Proof Coin with Gold plating to mark the Centenary Anniversary of the Basketball Association: Date/Year of Coin issue: 26.10.2023:

3068) Latvian Basketball Association, Latvia: The Bank of Latvia ("Latvijas Banka") has issued a 5 Euro Silver Proof Coin with Gold plating to mark the Centenary Anniversary of the Basketball Association: Date/Year of Coin issue: 26.10.2023:

The Header/Banner presents the Obverse and Reverse of the 5 Euro Silver Proof Coin with Gold plating against a background representation of Kristaps Porziņģisa popular Latvian Basketball player taking aim to mark up a score/basket.

The Bank of Latvia has issued new silver Proof Collector Coins with selective Gold plating to mark the Centenary Anniversary of the founding of the "Latvijas Basketbola Savienība" (“Latvian Basketball Association”).

The National Governing body of basketball in Latvia was also one of the original FIBA Europe co-founders in 1932

However, during the Soviet and Nazi occupation of Latvia, the federation disappeared from FIBA from 1940 to 1991

The Latvian Basketball Association re-joined FIBA in 1991 with the re-establishment of independence.

In Latvia, basketball is played at both the professional and amateur levels or simply as a pastime

Basketball is one of the most popular and easily accessible types of sport in the world which not only keeps crowds of fans on the edge of their seats, but also attracts and motivates sports enthusiasts to develop their physical abilities. All one needs is a basket, a ball, some willpower, and a lot of energy.

The Baltic State of Latvia boasts significant achievements in this sport. 

For example, the national team won the First European Men’s Basketball Championship in 1935

Recent years have also seen several notable achievements in the international arena. 

The performance of the Latvian men’s basketball team ending its 2023 FIBA World Cup appearance in fifth place had surprised many and solidified Latvia’s basketball on the global map

The name of Kristaps Porziņģis, currently a team member of the Boston Celtics and the National Basketball Association, is well-known beyond the borders of Latvia. 

Internationally, the game has also had a profound impact on different areas of Western culture, such as music, television, and fashion. 

In all parts of Latvia, basketball baskets are seen in the yards of many homes and apartments, where outdoor basketball courts are available to everyone.

The Commemorative Silver Coin:

The coin has been minted by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato" (IPZS) at their facilities in Rome on behalf of the Bank of Latvia and designed by Paulis Liepa. 

His interpretation of the sport is based on a message about basketball as a strategic game. 

The Reverse of the 5 Euro Silver Proof Coin with selective Gold plating showcases a basketball basket with a gold-plated textured ball on the basket’s rim, referencing the intrigue about the ball falling into the basket and the team getting their victory points. 

Along the lower left periphery is the inscription shown in dot matrix font that reads - "LATVIJAS BASKETBOLAM 100" (“Latvian Basketball 100”). 

The Obverse of the 5 Euro Silver Proof Coin features a hand-drawn tactical scheme of a basketball game. 

The text 20:23 symbolises not only the year of the coin’s issue but also the score of the game displayed on the scoreboard, assuming it is an away game for the Latvian team. 

The denomination of "5 EURO" is placed just to the lower left. 

The incused edge inscription on the smooth gold-plated edge reads - "LATVIJAS BANKA" and "LATVIJAS REPUBLIKA", separated by rhombic dots.

The specifications of the Silver Coin are:

Country: Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republik); Date/Year of Coin issue: 26.10.2023; Denomination: 5 Euro; Coin Theme: "Latvijas Basketbola Savienība" (“Latvian Basketball Association”)"; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Diameter: 35.00 mm; Weight: 22.00 grams; Coin Quality: Proof (P) with selective Gold plating; Edge: incused; Edge inscription on the smooth gold-plated edge: "LATVIJAS BANKA" and "LATVIJAS REPUBLIKA", separated by rhombic dots; Maximum mintage: 3,000 pieces; Minted By: "Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato" (IPZS) at their facilities in Rome on behalf of the Bank of Latvia; Designer: Paulis Liepa.

- Each Coin is encapsulated and enclosed in a custom presentation case accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (COA). 







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1) Astana, Kazakhstan: 20th Anniversary celebration of the Capital City of Kazakhstan (06.05.1998-06.05.2018): Silver 5000 Tenge Kilo Coin, 500 Tenge Silver Coin and 100 Tenge Cupro-Nickel Coin issued by the National Bank of Kazakhstan on 20.06.2018

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4) Balkhash perch ("Perca schrenkii"), Kazakhstan: 1,000 Tenge Silver Proof Coins with unique three-dimensional relief features Balkhash perch and Cupro-nickel 200 Tenge Coins feature Natural Wildlife and fauna of the country: Year of Coin issue: 2023

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Posts on Transnistria:


Posts on Russia:

1) A 100 Rouble Banknote issued by Russia to commemorate the XXII Winter Olympics - (07-23 February 2014) held at Sochi, Russia

2) Commemorative Coins issued when the 1980 22nd Summer Olympics were held in Moscow (19.07.1980 to 03.08.1980)

3) 2018 "Federation Internationale de Football Association" (FIFA) World Cup being held in Russia between 14.06.2018 &15.07.2018: Some Coins and stamps issued by Russia, Australia, Hungary, Spain & France to commemorate the Tournament/Championship

4) "Ancient Postal Routes - the Kholmogory post road (Arkhangelsk - Vologda - Yaroclavi - Moscow), Russia: Europa 2020 theme: A stamp brought out by "Pochta Rossii"(Russian Post) featuring this important post road: Date of Stamp issue: 15.01.2020

5) Russia celebrates the "Return" Of Crimea to Russia in 2014, by issuing a circulation 5 Ruble Coin in 2019






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