On Tuesday, 30 May, Latvijas Banka will issue a special 2 euro commemorative coin dedicated to Ukrainian sunflowers – a symbol of peace and freedom.
These 2 euro commemorative coins, following the euro changeover, continue the popular tradition of the special design 1 lats coins.
The coin "Sunflower for Ukraine", like the previously issued collector coin "For the Freedom of Ukraine", is dedicated to Ukraine's fight for freedom – the income derived from both coins will be donated to Ukraine.
Krišs Salmanis, the author of the coin's graphic design, has enshrined the following idea in the commemorative coin: the sun or light we wish Ukraine to reach as soon as possible is like a glimmer of hope for the time being.
The national side of the coin depicts one of the symbols of the Ukrainian people in the fight for peace – a sunflower. Ukraine is the world's largest producer of sunflowers and exporter of sunflower oil. However, sunflowers are important not only from the point of view of the national economy – since Russia started the cruel war in Ukraine, the sunflower has also become a global symbol of peace. For the first time, sunflowers were planted in Ukraine as a symbol of peace at the Pervomaisk missile base to mark the removal of nuclear weapons from the country. Currently, sunflowers are used by people all over the world to show unity with the Ukrainian people.
The total mintage of the coin "Sunflower for Ukraine" in circulation quality or coins in rolls is 400 000 pieces, whereas that of the coin in Brilliant Uncirculated quality in gift packaging is 15 000 pieces. The price per coin in gift packaging is 15.00 euro – the income derived from each coin sold in gift packaging will be donated to Ukraine.
To provide access to these coins to a maximum number of interested parties, the limit per purchase has been set at 7 gift packaging and 1 roll.
The author of the graphic design of the national side of the "Sunflower for Ukraine" coin is artist Krišs Salmanis, who is also the author of the graphic design of the coin "Kārlis Zāle". Artist Jānis Strupulis is the author of the coin's plaster model. The author of the common side of the coin is artist Luc Luycx, and the material and size of the coin are the same as those of other 2 euro circulation coins.
The national side of the coin depicts a sunflower and the inscription "SLAVA UKRAINAI!" (Glory to Ukraine!). The name of the country (LATVIJA) and the year of issue (2023) are also featured on the coin. The coin has been struck by UAB Lietuvos monetų kalykla (Lithuania).
Interested parties
2 euro commemorative coins in gift packaging and circulation coin rolls (25 coins per roll) will be available via the website e-monetas.lv only, starting from 12.00 (noon) of 30 May. Mail delivery (coin rolls are delivered in the territory of Latvia only) or personal pickup from the new Cashier's Offices of Latvijas Banka at Bezdelīgu iela 3, Riga, will be possible.
To smooth out the customer flow on the premises, each customer will be notified of the date when the order becomes available for pickup at the Cashier's Offices of Latvijas Banka. Orders will be available for pickup in a period of 20 business days starting from the date indicated in the order confirmation. There can be no changing of the starting date for the pickup period.
For the Freedom of Ukraine
The collector coin "For the Freedom of Ukraine", whose author is the renowned Ukrainian artist Sergiy Maidukov, is also available on Latvijas Banka's website e-monetas.lv. The artist has chosen to focus the coin's perspective on one single word – ВОЛЯ – that has multiple meanings in his native tongue: FREEDOM; WILL; POWER. Ligita Franckeviča is the author of the coin's plaster model.
Both Latvijas Banka's coins dedicated to Ukraine serve as a reminder that one should not grow tired and tolerate what is happening in Ukraine. The freedom of Ukraine is a shared responsibility. Latvijas Banka expresses its gratitude to everyone who supports Ukraine in its fight for freedom by buying these coins.
Each year, every euro area country is entitled to issue up to two 2 euro commemorative coins of special design, as well as to strike one more commemorative coin within a joint programme of several euro area countries if such a programme is organised.
Latvijas Banka continues the tradition of minting circulation coins of special design in Latvia. Euro commemorative coins are legal tender in the Republic of Latvia and other euro area countries.