KM# 21 - 2 SANTIMI
Bronze-Plated Steel, 17 mm. Obv: National arms Rev: Lined
arch above value flanked by diamonds
The Republic of Latvia, the central Baltic state in east Europe,
has an area of 24,749 sq. mi. (43,601 sq. km.) and a population
of *2.6 million. Capital: Riga. Livestock raising and manufacturing
are the chief industries. Butter, bacon, fertilizers and telephone
equipment are exported.
The Latvians, of Aryan descent primarily from the German
Order of Livonian Knights, were nomadic tribesmen who settled
along the Baltic prior to the 13th century. Ideally situated as a trade
route and lacking a central government, conquered in 1561 by
Poland and Sweden. Following the third partition of Poland by
Austria, Prussia and Russia in 1795, Latvia came under Russian
domination and did not experience autonomy until the Russian
Revolution of 1917 provided an opportunity for freedom. The
Latvian Republic was established on Nov. 18, 1918. The republic
was occupied by Soviet troops and annexed to the Soviet Union
in 1940. Following the German occupation of 1941-44, it was
retaken by Russia and reestablished as a member republic of the
Soviet Union. Western countries, including the United States, did
not recognize Latvia´s incorporation into the Soviet Union.
The coinage issued during the early 20th Century Republic
is now obsolete.
Latvia declared their independence from the U.S.S.R. on
August 22, 1991.
MONETARY SYSTEM
100 Santimu = 1 Lats
FIRST
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