94 - LATVIA - FIRST REPUBLIC - 5 lati “Milda,” 1929 - Royal Mint, London.

LATVIA - FIRST REPUBLIC - 5 lati “Milda,” 1929 - Royal Mint, London. Obverse: A female bust facing right, dressed in traditional Latvian costume and wearing a national crown, with ears of wheat resting on her shoulder. Legend: “LATVIJAS REPUBLIKA.” The model, who became popular under the name “Milda,” is Zelma Brauere; design by Rihards Zariņš. Reverse: The Great Coat of Arms of the Republic of Latvia, surmounted by three stars and supported by the Courland lion and the Livonian griffin; denomination “PIECI 5 LATI” and year 1929. Designed by Rihards Zariņš. Edge: Engraved inscription “DIEVS SVĒTĪ LATVIJU” (“God Bless Latvia”). Gross weight: 25.00 g. Metal and fineness: 835 silver. Diameter: 37 mm. Thickness: 2.8 mm. Face value: 5 lati. Mint: Royal Mint, London. Orientation: medal strike, 12 o’clock. References: KM# 9; Schön# 9. 1929 mintage: 1,000,000 pieces. Condition: TTB+; slight wear on the high points and a few surface marks. Historical note: Minted between 1929 and 1932, the 5 lati coin is part of the coinage of the First Latvian Republic. The portrait of Zelma Brauere, known as “Milda,” became a enduring motif in Latvian numismatics.