4008) "Sun and Wind", Latvia: Latvijas Banka has brought out a 5 Euro Silver Proof Coin minted by the Netherlandse Munz (Netherlands Mint) depicting the wild rocker “Wind”, rampaging above the rooftops of the city on the one Face and the “Sun” – a woman lazily bathing in the sea, her hair rippling through the water like shimmering sunbeams on the other face: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2025:
This coin dedicated to Liepāja brings together elements of Kurzeme's biggest city.
There is something special about the people of Liepāja. No matter where they go, they stand out quietly.
It might sound like a poetic contradiction, but the contrasts Liepāja has gathered over four centuries are not opposites. Take the old house of Mrs Hoijere: the white-painted window frames fit well on the black façade. The youthful concert hall Lielais dzintars can be both the loudest and quietest place in the city. Down by the beach, you feel the everlasting force of nature – the sharp wind and the sweltering sun, both strong, both real, at the same time.
Buildings line up on the Obverse: from the cramped cabin of a fishing boat to the wide rooftops of the 17th century, through elegant Art Nouveau streets, past striking modern buildings and proud industrial relics.
Finally, the gaze ascends the church towers' spires, reaching Liepāja's vast sky where the Wind sets the tone. Like an eternal street musician, it plays the weather vanes and whispers through people's souls.
The Coin:
The Reverse of the 5 Euro Silver Proof Coin is designed using varying intensities of frosting and gilding.
It depicts the wild rocker "Wind", rampaging above the rooftops of the city. The background unfolds iconic elements of Liepāja: the harbourside, a fishing boat, the concert hall "Liepājas Dzintars", the Oskars Kalpaks Bridge spanning the Karosta Canal, the spires of churches, and the city's buildings.
On the left side, the inscription "5 Euro" is placed in a semicircle; on the right, the inscription "LIEPĀJA 400" is arranged in two lines.
The Obverse of the 5 Euro Silver Proof Coin is designed using varying intensities of frosting and gilding. It shows the "Sun" – a woman lazily bathing in the sea, her hair rippling through the water like shimmering sunbeams. The year "2025" is positioned at the upper left, the inscription "LATVIJA" is arranged in a semicircular arc along the lower left edge.
Edge
The inscriptions "LATVIJAS BANKA" and "LATVIJAS REPUBLIKA", separated by rhombic dots.
Soaking it all in, is the Sun – the Wind's most loyal listener. It only takes a short walk to go from the city's bustling heart to the calm, spacious beach.
There, the centuries melt together like sand in your sandals and strands of hair drift over the water's surface, weaving with the glow of the afternoon sun. So where does Liepāja's strength lie? In its paradoxes? Or in the layers of its history? Can one side of a coin exist without the other? Here, opposites do not clash – they live in harmony.
And in the tension between them, Liepāja carves out its own, unmistakable character. To mark Liepāja's 400th birthday, all of this is captured in a single coin: the "Sun and Wind".
The Specifications of this Coin are:
Face value: 5 Euro
Weight: 23.00 g
Diameter: 36.00 mm
Metal: silver of fineness .999; with gilding
Quality: proof
Maximum mintage: 3 000 pieces
Struck in 2025 by Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (The Netherlands)
Designers:
Graphic design: Krišs Salmanis
Plaster model: Ligita Franckeviča
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
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
Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"A VERY informative post. Thanks for sharing."
Thank you so much Khanna sahab.
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Wonderful and informative post 👍"
Thank you so much, Trikha sahab.
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