Latvia 2 Euro 2018 Baltic Independence Silver-Plated

This is the heavily silvered special 2 Euro coin from Latvia 2018 which is celebrating 100 Years of æBaltic IndependenceÆ. The Baltic States Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania became independent countries 100 years ago. The first world war was just over and on 16 February 1918 Lithuania declared its independence. Estonia did this on 24 February 1918 and Latvia followed on 18 November 1918. In the year 2018 it is 100 years since these three states became independent countries and to celebrate this, the three countries jointly issued a single coin. An international competition was organized and this was won by Justas Petrulis from Lithuania. On his design the common past of the countries, the present and the future are beautifully represented. The national coats of arms of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are seen from left to right at the top of the coin. In the centre the number 100 is cryptically depicted and together they form a braid of hair to represent a collective future. On the left side of the coin the country name of "Eesti" on the coin of Estonia, on the coin from Latvia the country name "Latvija" is shown, and on the coin from Lithuania is the country name "Lietuva". On the right side of the coin is the year 2018. Only on the Lithuanian coin, on the right side, are the initials "JP" for the Lithuanian designer Justas Petrulis while on the left is the mint mark of Lithuania. The initials and mint marks are missing from the coins of Estonia and Latvia! The coin is heavily silver-plated and is packaged in a plastic coin capsule.