Монетное созвездие

Presented by

Bank of Latvia

Nominal value

5 euro

Weight

22,00

Diameter

35,00

Metal

Silver 925°

Mintage

2599

Production quality

Proof

Designer

Arvīds Priedīte (graphic design). Ligita Franckeviča (plaster model)

Producer

UAB Lietuvos monetų kalykla (Lithuania)

Description of obverse and reverse

Obverse: on the background of a document, a rider on a horse, with a feather in his hat, a sword at his side and a banner in his hand is featured in the centre. The seal of the document is placed centrally in the lower part of the coin, with the year 2018 and the inscription 5 euro semi-circled to the left and right of it respectively.

Reverse: the Peniķi column with Ķoniņciems' coat of arms is featured vertically along the diameter of the coin; a woman dressed in the folk costume and a man with a sword are placed to the left and right of it respectively. In the background, the names of the seven free villages of Courland are inscribed: «KALĒJI», «ZIEMEĻI», «VIESALGI», «ĶONIŅI», «PLIĶI», «DRAGŪNI» and «SAUSGAĻI». The lower part of the coin bears a semi-circled inscription «KURŠU ĶONIŅI».

A brief annotation

A group of people, united by a social tradition, is an essential part of a strong social structure. One of such historically developed social groups was the Curonian kings.

The first document where Curonian kings had been mentioned is from 1320. Curonian kings were the natives of Courland living in seven free villages.

Curonian kings cultivated land by themselves or with the help of their farm-hands, and the land was inherited by their sons.

Even in difficult times Curonian kings managed to retain their personal freedom and independence: granted hunting rights, fishing rights, bee-keeping rights and right to have a mill, and specifically the right to have a coat of arms and exemption from taxes made the Curonian kings actually equal to the knights.