Latvia 1 Lats 2005 - Baron Münchhausen

Latvia 1 Lats 2005 – Baron Münchhausen is a silver commemorative collector coin dedicated to the 285th anniversary of Baron Münchhausen, the legendary literary character whose extraordinary adventures became part of European cultural folklore. The coin was issued by the Bank of Latvia on 1 June 2005 as a special 1-lats silver commemorative issue. Although its face value was 1 lats (100 santims), the coin was intended primarily for collectors rather than everyday circulation.

The design is especially notable for its playful interpretation of one of Münchhausen’s most famous tall tales. On the obverse, the central matte field depicts a dog with a lantern tied to its tail. Around it, on a polished background, seven flying ducks form a circular movement, while Baron Münchhausen is shown holding on to the last duck. The year 2005 is arranged in a semicircle above the composition, while the inscription VIENS SIMTS SANTĪMU (“one hundred santims”) appears in the lower-left part of the design.

The reverse develops the theme through a collection of characters and animals from Münchhausen’s hunting adventures. The Baron is depicted with a rifle and a hunting dog at his feet, accompanied by a pheasant, two hares, a deer and a wild boar. The figures are arranged in a circular composition against a polished field and surrounded by a matte ring bearing the inscriptions BARONS MINHAUZENS and K.F.H. FREIHERR VON MÜNCHHAUSEN, separated by a dot. The contrast between matte and mirror-polished surfaces gives the Proof coin considerable visual depth.

The coin was designed by Arvīds Priedīte, with the plaster model prepared by sculptor Jānis Strupulis. It was struck by the Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (Royal Dutch Mint) in the Netherlands. The edge carries the inscriptions LATVIJAS REPUBLIKA and LATVIJAS BANKA, separated by dots. The maximum mintage was only 5,000 pieces. The issue subsequently received major international recognition: in 2006, the coin was awarded the main prize of the International Prize Vicenza Numismatica in Italy as the most outstanding coin of the competition.

Specifications:

• Country: Latvia
• Denomination: 1 Lats (100 santims)
• Year: 2005
• Theme: Baron Münchhausen – 285th anniversary
• Quality: Proof
• Packaging: Original presentation packaging
• Mintage: 5,000 pieces maximum
• Metal: Silver Ag 925
• Weight: 31.47 g
• Diameter: 38.61 mm
• Shape: Round
• Edge: LATVIJAS REPUBLIKA • LATVIJAS BANKA •
• Graphic designer: Arvīds Priedīte
• Plaster model: Jānis Strupulis
• Mint: Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt, Netherlands
• Issue date: 1 June 2005
• Legal tender: Latvia

Package includes: Latvia 1 Lats 2005 “Baron Münchhausen” silver Proof collector coin in original presentation packaging with protective capsule and certificate.