In honor of Latvia ascending to the Presidency of the Council of the EU, a six month rotation among European Union countries, and, for Latvia, beginning on January 1 2015 (taking over from Italy) and ending June 30 2015 (handing over to Luxembourg), the Bank of Latvia has released a special design 2 Euro coin.

The circulation coin, with a mintage of one million, was released on February 10. Collectors can purchase the coin for face value at Bank of Latvia outlets, and the coin is also included in new Euro coin sets, and both uncirculated and proof sets are available.

The coin was designed by Gunārs Lūsis (graphic design) and Jānis Strupulis (plaster model), and was minted by Staatliche Münzen Baden-Württemberg (Germany).

For further information about the new 2 Euro coin, please visit the Bank of Latvia website and for further information about Latvia’s presidency, please visit http://eu2015.lv