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CC 491 2023
2 euro coin
BU Main coin Bank issue
2 Euro BU
Latvia · Sunflower for Ukraine
Mintage400,000
Issue date30 May 2023
Edge letteringDIEVS ★ SVĒTĪ ★ LATVIJU
Market price€4.50
Issue occasion
The commemorative coin is dedicated to the “Ukrainian sunflower”, which has been used worldwide as a symbol of peace and support for the country since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. The design depicts a sunflower, a national symbol of Ukraine; it is complemented by the inscriptions “SLAVA UKRAINAI!” and “LATVIJA”. The design was created by the Latvian artist Krišs Salmanis.
The design
The coin’s motif shows a sunflower. The sunflower is a national symbol of Ukraine, which is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of sunflower oil. Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the sunflower has become a symbol of peace. Sunflowers were first used as a symbol of peace in the summer of 1996. At that time, they were planted at a military base near Pervomaisk, around 300 kilometres south of the capital Kiew. Sunflowers are now used worldwide as a symbol of peace and support for Ukraine. At the top of the motif, the inscription “SLAVA UKRAINAI!” (Glory to Ukraine) is arranged in a semicircle, while below it, also in a semicircle, is the name of the issuing country, “LATVIJA”, followed by the year of issue, “2023”. The coin was designed by the Latvian artist Krišs Salmanis. The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the coin’s outer ring.
Background on the topic
The connection between the sunflower and peace and disarmament dates back to the dismantling of the Soviet nuclear weapons arsenal. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, numerous strategic nuclear weapons and delivery systems were located on Ukrainian territory. Ukraine acceded to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as a non-nuclear-weapon state and handed the warheads over to Russia for dismantling. In return, in 1994 it received security assurances from Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom under the Budapest Memorandum (Budapester Memorandum). These included the obligation to respect Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and existing borders.
In 1996, sunflowers were planted at a former missile base near Perwomajsk. Representatives of Ukraine, Russia and the United States thereby marked the completion of a phase of nuclear disarmament. The site had previously belonged to the network of Soviet facilities for intercontinental ballistic missiles. The planting was intended to symbolise the transition from military use to the peaceful use of the land. Sunflowers were also suitable for this purpose because their cultivation is widespread in Ukraine and the plant frequently appears in the landscape and in folk culture.
The formula “Slawa Ukrajini” – “Glory to Ukraine” in English – has older roots in the Ukrainian national movement. It was used in different political contexts in the 20th century and, after the achievement of state independence in 1991, increasingly came to be used as a patriotic greeting. Since 2018, it has also formed part of the official greeting of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The Latvian issue was created against the backdrop of the full-scale Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, waged since February 2022. Latvia itself had belonged to the Soviet Union for decades and restored its state independence in 1991. The choice of the motif can therefore be understood as a political expression of solidarity by an EU and NATO member with the Ukraine under attack. At the same time, the sunflower points to the contrast between the earlier disarmament assurances and Russia’s subsequent actions against Ukrainian sovereignty.
In 1996, sunflowers were planted at a former missile base near Perwomajsk. Representatives of Ukraine, Russia and the United States thereby marked the completion of a phase of nuclear disarmament. The site had previously belonged to the network of Soviet facilities for intercontinental ballistic missiles. The planting was intended to symbolise the transition from military use to the peaceful use of the land. Sunflowers were also suitable for this purpose because their cultivation is widespread in Ukraine and the plant frequently appears in the landscape and in folk culture.
The formula “Slawa Ukrajini” – “Glory to Ukraine” in English – has older roots in the Ukrainian national movement. It was used in different political contexts in the 20th century and, after the achievement of state independence in 1991, increasingly came to be used as a patriotic greeting. Since 2018, it has also formed part of the official greeting of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The Latvian issue was created against the backdrop of the full-scale Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, waged since February 2022. Latvia itself had belonged to the Soviet Union for decades and restored its state independence in 1991. The choice of the motif can therefore be understood as a political expression of solidarity by an EU and NATO member with the Ukraine under attack. At the same time, the sunflower points to the contrast between the earlier disarmament assurances and Russia’s subsequent actions against Ukrainian sovereignty.
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