Estonia + Latvia + Lithuania 2 Euro 2018 Baltic Independence Silver-Plated

These are the three heavily silvered coins from Estonia + Latvia + Lithuania which have as their theme 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, these 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 shown 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 coins the country names are shown - "Eesti" on the Estonian coin, "Latvija" on the Latvian coin and "Lietuva" on the Lithuanian coin. On the right side of the coins the year 2018 is shown. Only on Lithuanian coin the initials JP of the Lithuanian designer Justas Petrulis are printed to the left of the year and to the right of the country name is the mint mark of Lithuania. The mint signs are not shown on the coins of Estonia and Latvia! The coins are heavily silver-plated and packaged in a plastic coin capsule.