The competition was announced in January 2017 to search for ideas to create an innovative coin in terms of its motif, design or technical solution. Overall, 42 works were submitted and were evaluated by the Coin Design Commission of Latvijas Banka. The first prize was awarded to designer Artūrs Analts' work "Honey", the second prize to architect Mārcis Kalniņš' work "H2OABC", whereas the third prize went to electronic music artist Artūrs Šēnfelds' work "Gold Values".
Honey has a special role in Latvia. Together with the diligent honey bees it is widely present in our folk songs; it is an important food, traditional medicine and cosmetics product. Citizens, who are as busy as bees in their day-to-day lives, fill their country like bees fill a hive. Therefore, the "Honey Coin" is a symbol of diligence and sweetness of work. The bees also have a significant role to play in maintaining the biological diversity, and their presence is an indicator of nature's healthiness.
The quite unusual collector coin "Honey Coin" featuring honeycomb cells is struck in silver and plated with gold. Honeycomb cells form a rough outline of the geographic contour of Latvia and the Gulf of Riga. Various types of frosting are applied to achieve this effect. The shape of the coin is unique: several coins can be placed side-by-side like pieces of a puzzle to build-up an even larger honeycomb the same way as bees do it in their hive. The coin has been struck by UAB Lietuvos monetų kalykla (Lithuania).
The collector coin "Honey Coin" is legal tender in the Republic of Latvia, yet the release of such coins in circulation is highly unlikely, as they are in fact works of art and are in special demand among coin collectors and other interested parties. The maximum mintage of the coin is limited to 3 000.
The price of the coin at Latvijas Banka Cashier's Offices and via e-monetas.lv is 53.00 euro.
Beginning with 22 May, the new coin will be on sale at Latvijas Banka Cashier's Offices (K. Valdemāra iela 1B in Riga and Teātra iela 3 in Liepāja) as well as online via e-monetas.lv, Latvijas Banka's website for purchases of collector coins and other numismatic products, offering a wide selection of collector coins and other numismatic products issued by Latvijas Banka. E-monetas.lv can be used by both individuals as well as Latvia's businesses.
In close cooperation with JSC Swedbank, the possibility to pay by VISA, VISA Electron, MasterCard and Maestro payment cards as well as via the internet banks of JSC Swedbank, JSC Citadele banka and JSC SEB banka has been ensured. All purchased collector coins and numismatic products can be collected at Latvijas Banka Cashier's Offices in Riga and Liepāja (for their addresses, see https://www.bank.lv/en/about-us/cashier-s-office) as well as by using delivery services of SJSC Latvijas Pasts, within the territory of Latvia. This is convenient for customers, e.g. from more distant regions, who cannot visit the Cashier's Offices of Latvijas Banka on the initial days of launching a new coin or due to their work engagements or other reasons. E-monetas.lv can also be used to purchase numismatic products by individuals and legal persons abroad. The products are currently delivered to 35 countries – most EU countries, the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zeeland.
The coin will also be available at such traditional points of sale as numismatic shops, book stores and souvenir and jewellery shops (https://monetas.bank.lv/images/stories/pielikumi/nauda/Monetu-tirdzniecibas-vietas.pdf).