On Thursday, 21 November, Latvijas Banka will issue a 2 euro commemorative coin with an image of puzuris – a Latvian winter solstice ornament. The special design 2 euro coin "Puzuris" will be available in circulation coin rolls, as well as in gift packaging and circulation coin sets. These numismatic products will be available for purchase exclusively on the website www.e-monetas.lv.
Puzuris is a traditional Latvian ornament that visually and symbolically represents the world. It is known by many names across Latvia's regions. Hung from the ceiling, it sways at the slightest breath of wind. The deeper meaning of the swaying puzuris involves the concept of the winter solstice when the sun shifts its course towards the spring, is reborn and regains its strength to rise higher. For puzuris to sway effortlessly, it is crafted from light materials and suspended by a thin thread.
Among other purposes, these ornaments were used to adorn rooms for weddings and baby blessing rites. On such occasions, the central puzuris was complemented by multiple smaller ones. Used as an ornament at a wedding, it symbolised the fertility and harmony of the newly-weds, whereas at a baby blessing rite, its swaying movements promised health and prosperity to the newborn.
Traditionally, there are two main types of puzuris. The first one is a polyhedron – made of straw or reeds. This geometric depiction of the world is featured on the new 2 euro commemorative coin The second one is a round turnip, suspended by a thread and pierced with rye straws, representing a hedgehog curled into a ball. Christmas is the time when the sun arises in the image of a hedgehog and begins its journey towards awakening. Such ornaments are also considered to offer strong protection against the evil and threats.
The mintage of the "Puzuris" coin in circulation quality or in rolls is 400 000 pieces. These coins will be released into circulation just like the traditional 2 euro coins with the national symbols of the countries. Meanwhile, 7000 coins will be minted in Brilliant Uncirculated quality (available in gift packaging) and 6000 coins will be minted for the circulation coin sets. The price of the coin in gift packaging is 13.80 euro and that of a circulation coin set – 35 euro.
To make these coins available to as many interested parties as possible, the limit per purchase has been set at 4 gift packaging items, 1 roll and 4 sets of circulation coins.
The author of the graphic design of the national side of the "Puzuris" coin is artist Ieva Krūmiņa. This is her debut in coin art. The author of the coin's common side is artist Luc Luycx, and the material and size of the coins are the same as those of other 2 euro circulation coins.
The national side of the coin depicts a puzuris that is suspended by a thread. The name of the country (LATVIA) and the year of issue (2024) are also featured on the coin. The coin was struck by Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (the Netherlands).
The set of circulation coins "Puzuris" contains the euro circulation coins issued in 2024 whose nominal value ranges between 1 cent and 2 euro, also including the new 2 euro commemorative coin. "Puzuris" will be the only 2 euro commemorative coin issued by Latvijas Banka this year.
The coins will be available for purchase in gift packing, circulation coin rolls (25 coins per roll) and circulation coin sets exclusively on the website www.e-monetas.lv, starting from 12.00 p.m. of 21 November. Mail delivery (in circulation quality, packaged in coin rolls – only within the territory of Latvia) or in-person pickup at Latvijas Banka Cashier's Office, Bezdelīgu iela 3, Riga, will be available. To streamline customer flow on the premises, the order pickup at Latvijas Banka Cashier's Office will be organised according to a coordinated schedule – each customer will be notified of the date when the order becomes available for pickup.
Each year, every euro area country is entitled to issue two 2 euro commemorative coins of special design, as well as one more commemorative coin within a joint programme of several euro area countries provided that such a programme is organised.
Latvijas Banka continues the tradition of minting circulation coins of special design in Latvia. Euro commemorative coins are legal tender in the Republic of Latvia and other euro area countries.