3646) ‘Cabbage’ as Money and Wealth, Latvia: This Unique Silver Proof Coin of 5 Euro Highlights this role of a Cabbage: The Bank of Latvia (Latvijas Banka) has released this Coin which is a most uniquely-shaped coin symbolically connected to health and wealth: Date/Year of Coin issue: 16.12.2024:
The Header/Banner design compliments the unusual shape replicating a head of cabbage
Between the 11th and 13th centuries in the lands which today is present-day Latvia, it is believed that the humble cabbage became a widely cultivated source of nutrition.
It soon became one of the main vegetables used in our ancestors' cooking and was turned into many different versatile dishes still enjoyed to this day. That said, the adaptable cabbage serves more purposes than just sustenance, it also became deeply associated with health, wealth, and well-being.
This association actually has its roots back to the days of ancient Greece and Rome where cabbage was believed to have healing properties and was valued as a highly beneficial plant.
According to ancient Roman mythology, the supreme god Jupiter broke into a sweat as he struggled to interpret an oracle's prophecy. The god's droplets of perspiration fell to Earth and turned into cabbage heads and the word itself the word ‘caput’ itself is interpreted as the word ‘head’. Thus we routinely refer to the vegetable as today as ‘a head of cabbage’.
However, in terms of wealth and over the years, the green leaves associated with cabbage have had more to do with referencing banknotes, especially where the mighty ‘Greenback’ is concerned and is often used as a metaphor for money or wealth.
In Latvia, there was a tradition that occurred on the 26th July, which is known as the ‘Day of Anna’.
This was the day when Latvians exchanged cabbage leaves as gifts to friends and family believing that doing so would increase their wealth. Where the hope that healthy babies would be born to newlyweds, it was believed that eating cabbages enhances fertility, a notion that echoes the myth that babies are found in cabbage patches.
According to herbalists, cabbage leaves can be used in traditional homoeopathic medicine where they are applied to an ailing part of the body. Even if it is only a myth that cabbages bring wealth, health, and many offspring, it is undeniable that this vegetable has remained an integral part of home life and cooking all over the world.
The Coin:
The clever concept for this collector coin was created by Latvian artist Mārtiņš Rozenfelds who submitted his design proposal to the Bank of Latvia’s open design competition organised at the end of 2023.
The Obverse side of the 5 Euro Silver Proof Coinincludes an image of a head of a cabbage as seen from where the vegetable is cut off from the stem. The year of minting 2024 is placed at the centre of the stem where the cabbage is cored.
The Reverse side of the 5 Euro Silver Proof Coin includes a detailed depiction of a head of cabbage as is usually seen from the side of the leaves coming together over-lapping one another. The inscription LATVIJA is shown on the top leave in a semi-circle along the upper edge. The denomination 5 EURO is placed at the bottom in a similar style.
Denomination Metal Weight Diameter Quality Mintage Limit
5 Euro .999 Silver 23 g. 30 mm. Proof 3,500 pieces.
- Available from the 16th December, the proof quality coins are encapsulated and presented in a custom Bank of Latvia-branded case accompanied with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
Links to other posts on Ukrainian Coins/Banknotes on this Blog:
7) "Sovka roskoshnaja" ("Staurophora celsia") Moth, Ukraine: Sterling Silver Proof (10 Hryvnia) and Cupro-nickel (2 Hrvynia) coins issued under its "Native Flora and Fauna Coin Series" by the National Bank of Ukraine
8) 1075 years since Princess Olga (890-969 AD), Ukraine: A Silver Proof Coin brought out by the National Bank of Ukraine,minted by the Ukrainian Mint: Year of issue: 2020
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
Vikram Bhatnagar has commented:
ReplyDelete"Pretty coins! I've heard of a homeopathic medicine called "carbo veg;" wonder if there's a connection!"
I don't think so. Nevertheless, this "cabbage" coin is rather unique. I thought of posting it immediately I saw it. 😊
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Wonderful post 👍"
Thank you so much, Trikha sahab.
Delete