The new 5 euro collector coin is dedicated to the Baroque art style in Courland (Kurzeme).
The bank "has intended this silver coin with gilded elements to be a reminder of Lestene church and woodcarvings by Nicolaus Söffrens, the restoration of which is one of the most important projects in protecting the cultural heritage of Latvia," LB said in a statement.
The obverse of the coin features a garland of acanthus leaves and the reverse bears an image of an angel, both taken from the altar of Lestene church.
The churches built in Courland in the 17th and 18th centuries in Latvia rank among the greatest baroque treasures in the country.
The largest Baroque ensemble in Courland (1704–1709) used to be located at Lestene church. The altar, pulpit, confession and congregational benches and the organ case, all executed in one style, were the last carvings made in Söffrens's workshop.
Lestene church was damaged by Soviet artillery bombardments in February 1945. The Evangelical Lutheran congregation discontinued its activities in Lestene church in 1961 and the remnants of the demolished church were taken to the Museum of Tukums in 1964.
The Church was turned into a drying kiln in 1967.
The coin is made in Poland and will be limited to 10,000 examples, each costing €51.65 and on sale from LB's cashier offices in Riga and Liepāja Branch as well as banks and souvenir and jewellery shops.
LB has made a video about the coin:
