It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Bank of Latvia, which on Nov. 26 issued a silver commemorative coin marking the legend of the first decorated holiday tree on one side and depicting mummers on the other.

The bank also issued a 1-lats copper-nickel coin depicting a Christmas tree. Unlike the commemorative coin, which is meant for collectors, the copper-nickel coin will see circulation in the public.

The 1-lats commemorative coin, minted in the Netherlands, on its front side shows a man carrying a freshly cut fir tree. A squirrel is seen jumping from the tree. The coin marks the 500th anniversary of the first Christmas tree in Rīga, which is said to have been placed in 1510 during a street carnival outside the House of the Blackheads.

“To many (the) Christmas tree is something more than just a ritual object or a decoration,” the bank announced in a press release. “It is a symbol of vitality and rebirth, of uniting spiritual energy, of peace and brotherly love. These same ideas have motivated the Bank of Latvia to issue a special coin honoring the Christmas tree.”

The reverse of the coin depicts a group of mummers in traditional masks. During wintertime, mummers travel from house to house entertaining people in return for food and drink.

The coin was designed by graphic artist Edgars Folks. Jānis Strupulis is credited with making the plaster model.

A total of 20,000 coins in proof condition have been minted, half of which are for sale within Latvia, the bank announced. The bank will sell the coin for LVL 23.10 and it also will be available in jewelry and souvenir shops.

The 1-lats copper-nickel coin, like similar pieces, depicts the country’s coat of arms on its front. The reverse has an image of a decorated Christmas tree.

The Christmas 1-lats coin is part of a series highlighting various aspects of Latvian culture and nature. Other coins have included such images as a chimney sweep, a mushroom and a Namejs ring.

The coin was minted in Germany. Graphic design of the coin is credited to Arvīds Priedīte, while Ligita Franckeviča made the plaster model. A total of 1 million pieces will be put into circulation.

The Christmas coins are the second and third new issues this month.

The central bank on Nov. 16 issued a square, 1-lats silver collector coin honoring water. Designed by Ilmārs Blumbergs, with the plaster model made by sculptor Jānis Strupulis, the coin on its front side depicts flying droplets of water, while the reverse features an ice crystal.

The coin was minted in Finland. Just 7,000 pieces were struck.

Like the commemorative Christmas coin, the water coin will be on sale in jewelry and souvenir shops, as well as at the Bank of Latvia, where its price is set at LVL 25.30.

Two more deaths associated with the H1N1 flu virus have been reported in Latvia, the state-run Infectology Center of Latvia reported Nov. 25. In addition, the center has noted a dramatic increase in the number of confirmed cases of the illness.

The latest deaths were of a 49-year-old man in Rīga and a 60-year-old woman in Jēkabpils. Both of them were identified as being in the high-risk group and had suffered from chronic illnesses. As a result, flu symptoms were elevated in both patients, according to spokeswoman Liene Johansone.

The first death from H1N1 complications was reported Nov. 9 in Rīga and involved a 56-year-old woman who had caught the flu while visiting the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.

The number of confirmed cases of H1N1 flu has risen dramatically in the past three weeks, according to data reported by the infectology center. While just 88 cases of the flu had been confirmed through Nov. 5, another 658 were added to the tally from Nov. 6 through Nov. 24.

The infectology center issued a reminder that H1N1 symptom and seasonal flu symptom are similar. Persons who feel ill should contact their family physician and limit contact with other people.

In its latest bulletin on the spread of the H1N1 flu in Europe, the World Health Organization noted that the intensity of the pandemic is at medium in Latvia and Estonia, but has risen to high in Lithuania.