2 Santīmi

1939Circulation

Obverse

National arms above sprigs

Legend
LATVIJA

Designer Ludolfs Liberts

Reverse

Value flanked by sprigs above date

Legend
2
1937
SANTIMI

Edge

Type Plain

Issues

  • 1939 State Printing House and Mint
    Mintage

    Most were never placed in circulation

    VF€1.90XF€2.60AU€5UNC€8

Catalogue numbers

KM#
11.2

Physical

Metal
Bronze
Weight
2 g
Diameter
19.5 mm
Thickness
1.07 mm
Shape
Round
Alignment
Medal (0°)
Technique
Milled

Details

Value
2 Santīmi
= 1/50 Lats
Type
Circulation
Demonetized
25 March 1941

Notes

According to a contemporary account from a Latvian resident, the 2 santimi coins minted in 1937 circulated for only a few weeks. They were withdrawn because people were using them in vending machines as a substitute for the 10 santimu coins, which were the same size. Only a few hundred coins reached collectors. (Source: Lithuanian Numismatic Association, “The Knight”, Volume 12, No. 5, issue #70, March/April 1990, page 3) Note that the 1939 issue is slightly larger in diameter (19.5 mm vs. 19.0 mm), so it wouldn't pass off as 10 santimu in a vending machine