Latvia

2018

This commemorative coin issued by Latvia features a detailed historic city plan of Riga, rendered in high-relief and presented in an irregular, map-fragment shape rather than a traditional circular format. The design resembles an archaeological or archival fragment, emphasizing the layered history of the city’s urban development. Streets, waterways, and blocks are precisely engraved, creating a tactile, almost topographical effect that invites close inspection. The unconventional outline reinforces the concept of memory, place, and historical continuity, making the coin both a numismatic object and a miniature sculptural map. It reflects Latvia’s innovative approach to contemporary coin design while honoring Riga’s cultural and architectural heritage.