On Thursday, 11 July, Latvijas Banka is issuing a silver collector coin of a specific shape dedicated to the creative heritage of Niklāvs Strunke (1894–1966), Latvian painter, graphic artist and stage designer.
Niklāvs Strunke, one of the most original Latvian modernists, strongly proved his worth as an artist at the time coinciding with the declaration of Latvia's independence. One of his most distinguished works, the painting "Man Entering a Room" (1927), has been included in the Latvian Cultural Canon. It is this painting that has been depicted on the reverse of the collector coin "Niklāvs Strunke". Meanwhile, the coin's obverse features a fragment of his painting "Self-Portrait with a Doll" (1921).
The graphic design of the collector coin "Niklāvs Strunke" has been created by artist Paulis Liepa, whereas the author of the plaster model is Ivars Drulle. Paulis Liepa has authored two collector coins, i.e. the innovative silver collector coin "365" as well as the collector coin "National Entrepreneur" featuring 25 raised facets on the reverse. The latter was announced the winner in the category "Most Artistic Coin" at the prestigious international competition "Coin of the Year" in 2018.
Paulis Liepa continues to experiment with the coin shape also in the work dedicated to creative legacy of Niklāvs Strunke. The shape of the coin is a circle where the edge cut by a secant forms a 99° angle with the circle's tangent.
Starting from 8.30 a.m. on 11 July, the new coin will be on sale online via e-monetas.lv, Latvijas Banka's website for purchases of collector coins and other numismatic products, and at the Cashier's Offices of Latvijas Banka at K. Valdemāra iela 1B in Riga and Teātra iela 3 in Liepāja. The price of the coin at the Cashier's Offices of Latvijas Banka and via e-monetas.lv is 56.00 euro. Limit of the number of coins per purchase at the Cashier's Office and online at e-monetas.lv is 4 coins. The maximum mintage of the coin is limited to 4000. The coin has been struck by UAB Lietuvos monetų kalykla (Lithuania).
The collector coin "Niklāvs Strunke" 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.
