1 Lats 2010, Toad

New product

Face value: 1 lats
Weight: 4.80 g, diameter 21.75 mm
Metal: cupro-nickel
Struck in 2010 by Staatliche Münze Berlin (Germany)
Artists: Edgars Folks (graphic design), Jānis Strupulis (plaster model)

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Obverse
The large coat of arms of the Republic of Latvia, with the year 2010 inscribed below, is placed in the centre. The inscriptions LATVIJAS and REPUBLIKA, each arranged in a semicircle, are above and beneath the central motif respectively.

Reverse
A toad is in the centre, with the numeral 1 and superscript inscription LATS above.

Edge
Two inscriptions LATVIJAS BANKA (Bank of Latvia), separated by rhombic dots.


The toad family in Latvia is represented by the common, green, and running toad, and the fire-bellied toad and European common spadefoot, also generally referred to as 'toad', are protected species as is the running toad which was honoured as the Latvian animal-of-the year in 2007. The peculiarities of the way a toad looks, its ability to secrete a foul smelling fluid, and the metamorphosis from a tadpole to an adult are at the basis of many folk beliefs.

The toad is active at night and also in rainy weather, so seeing a toad in bright daylight meant impending rain to those in the know. The Latvians of old considered the toad a creature of the so-called Milk Mother; hence a toad should be honoured by leaving out a bowl of milk - then it would make the cows produce more milk. The House Spirit was also said to sometimes take the form of a toad, so toads were allowed in the house and feed-lot and fed. The special Latvian pagan deity, Mother of Satiation, appeared as a toad to leap around food and lend it satiety.

The toad is associated with fertility: in the ancient Latvian folksongs it carries the water for the beer brewing ritual; its presence helps the harvest. Like the grass snake, the toad was considered to bring blessing to cattle, therefore he who killed a toad risked to have cows go dry and the skin on his hands turn toadlike. By contrast, to circle around a toad three times guarantees good fortune. We are entrusting the toad with just this mission: to bring luck and good fortune to each household where money is spent prudently.

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    1 Lats 2010, Toad

    1 Lats 2010, Toad

    Face value: 1 lats
    Weight: 4.80 g, diameter 21.75 mm
    Metal: cupro-nickel
    Struck in 2010 by Staatliche Münze Berlin (Germany)
    Artists: Edgars Folks (graphic design), Jānis Strupulis (plaster model)