Latvia 2 Euro 2017 Letgallen Silver-plated

Latvia is issuing a series of special 2 Euro coins highlighting its four provinces. The first, Vidzeme, was issued in 2016. In 2017 Letgallen and Kurzeme followed, and in 2018 the series will conclude with the province of Zemgalen. This particular silver-plated 2 Euro coin has the theme Letgallen. Letgallen is the easternmost province of Latvia and borders on Russia and Belarus. About one third of the Latvian population lives in Letgallen. Letgallen is also called the land of the lakes. What is different in Letgallen is that the Reformation did not take place and it is predominantly Catholic. There is a large Russian minority living in Letgallen. On the coin the coat of arms of Letgallen is shown. On this crest a lion walking to the right, with a sword in his hand, is depicted. Above the coat of arms is the country name Latvija (Latvia) and under the coat of arms the province name Latgale (Letgallen). On the right side of the coin is the year 2017. The edge lettering of the coin is DIEVS * SVETI * LATVIJU (God Bless Latvia). The coin is heavily silver plated and is packaged in a plastic coin capsule.