A commemorative 1-lat coin honoring Latvia’s song festival tradition, which began in 1873, has been released by the Bank of Latvia.

The silver coin became available May 23, the bank announced in a press release. The silver proof coin has a circulation of 10,000 and, while legal tender, will be marketed to collectors. A copper-nickel version, also limited to a circulation of 10,000, will be released in the second half of June before the July 5-12 All Latvian Song and Dance Festival in Rīga.

The coin was designed by Arvīds Priedīte and the plaster model made by Ligita Franckeviča. The averse features a woman in folk costume carrying Midsummer wildflowers. Behind her is a fragment of the folk song “Pūt, vējiņi.” The reverse depicts a man in folk costume carrying a crown of oak leaves. Behind him is a fragment of the choral song “Gaismas pils.” The edge of the coin has the text “Dziesmai šodien liela diena” (Today is a grand day for song).

The coin was minted by the Finnish company Rahapaja Oy.

A total of 5,000 copies of the silver proof coin are reserved for sale within Latvia. The price of the coin at the Bank of Latvia is LVL 22.50.

The song festival coin is the 60th commemorative piece released by the bank since 1995.

The 1-lat commemorative coin honoring Latvia’s song festival depicts a woman and a man in traditional folk costume.