The cleverly-designed collector coin "Cabbage" was announced Latvia's Coin of the Year 2024 in the annual public survey. The coin highlights the deep symbolism of cabbage – it is associated with health, wealth, and well-being.
In the public survey held by Latvijas Banka and the news portal Delfi.lv from 24 March to 6 April, everyone had the opportunity to vote for the most outstanding collector coin released in 2024. Nearly 27 thousand votes were cast in this year's survey, with the coin "Cabbage" receiving almost 7000 votes.
The concept for the collector coin "Cabbage" issued in December 2024 by Latvijas Banka was created by artist and sculptor Mārtiņš Rozenfelds who submitted his design proposal to the open design competition organised by Latvijas Banka at the end of 2023.
Cabbage has become an integral part of home life and cooking. It is believed that cabbage became known in the territory that is now Latvia between the 11th and 13th centuries, and it became one of the main vegetables used in our ancestors' cooking.
In ancient Greece and Rome, cabbage was believed to have healing properties and was valued as a highly beneficial plant. Cabbage leaves are also used in traditional medicine where they are applied to the sick part of the body.
The green cabbage leaves are associated with the green of banknotes. Furthermore, the word "cabbage" is sometimes used as a metaphor for money or wealth. It was believed that eating cabbages enhances fertility, a notion that echoes the myth that babies are found or born in cabbages.
Various traditions are also associated with eating and gifting cabbage. On 26 July, the day of Anna, Latvians exchanged cabbage leaves as gifts believing this practice would increase their wealth. On the New Year's Eve, Latvians traditionally eat sauerkraut for the year's "sour" moments or failures to leave no trace.
Overall, five collector coins, each honouring Latvian culture, history, and other significant topics were issued in 2024:
- "Across the Times" (video);
- "Childhood Joy" (video);
- "Energy Coin" (video);
- "Building the Unbuilt" (video);
- "Cabbage" (video).
The coins "Cabbage", "Across the Times", "Childhood Joy", and "Building the Unbuilt" remain available for purchase online at e-monetas.lv or in person at the Cashier's Office of Latvijas Banka.
Voters had the chance to enter a draw for 15 collector coins released in 2024. The names of the winners can be found on the website https://www.bank.lv/en/news-and-events/news-and-articles/news/17225-the-coin-cabbage-becomes-latvias-coin-of-the-year-2024, and Latvijas Banka will personally contact each of them to arrange the delivery of their prizes.
The silver coin "Stardust" (video) dedicated to Imants Ziedonis, one of the most distinguished Latvian poets, was named Latvia's Coin of the Year 2023. The graphic design of the coin was created by artist Līga Kitchen.
Since 2004, when Latvijas Banka organised the first public vote, the following coins have been named Latvia's Coin of the Year: "Coin of Time", "Baron Münchhausen", "Coin of Digits", "Coin of Time II", "Lucky Coin", "Coin of Water", "Amber Coin", "Fog Mists the Pane", "5-lats Silver Collector Coin", "Baby Coin", "Baroque of Courland", "Fairy Tale Coin I. Five Cats", "Fairy Tale Coin II. Hedgehog's Coat", "Smith Forges in the Sky", "Honey Coin", "Cat's Mill", "Linden Leaf", "Coin of Luck", and "Vilhelms Purvītis".
