Toad

The toad family in Latvia is represented by the common, green, and running toad, and the fire-bellied toad and European common spadefoot, also generally referred to as 'toad', are protected species as is the running toad which was honoured as the Latvian animal-of-the year in 2007. The peculiarities of the way a toad looks, its ability to secrete a foul smelling fluid, and the metamorphosis from a tadpole to an adult are at the basis of many folk beliefs.

The toad is active at night and also in rainy weather, so seeing a toad in bright daylight meant impending rain to those in the know. The Latvians of old considered the toad a creature of the so-called Milk Mother; hence a toad should be honoured by leaving out a bowl of milk - then it would make the cows produce more milk. The House Spirit was also said to sometimes take the form of a toad, so toads were allowed in the house and feed-lot and fed. The special Latvian pagan deity, Mother of Satiation, appeared as a toad to leap around food and lend it satiety.

The toad is associated with fertility: in the ancient Latvian folksongs it carries the water for the beer brewing ritual; its presence helps the harvest. Like the grass snake, the toad was considered to bring blessing to cattle, therefore he who killed a toad risked to have cows go dry and the skin on his hands turn toadlike. By contrast, to circle around a toad three times guarantees good fortune. We are entrusting the toad with just this mission: to bring luck and good fortune to each household where money is spent prudently.

Latvia 2010 Toad CuNi
Obverse: 
The large coat of arms of the Republic of Latvia, with the year 2010 inscribed below, is placed in the centre. The inscriptions LATVIJAS and REPUBLIKA, each arranged in a semicircle, are above and beneath the central motif respectively.
Reverse: 
A toad is in the centre, with the numeral 1 and superscript inscription LATS above.

Booklet

Latvia 2010 Toad CuNi
Latvia 2010 Toad CuNi
Package (box, booklet, roll, etc.): 
Country: 
Catalog ID: 
LV115CC1
Value: 
€3
Mintage: 
1000000
Quality: 
Face value: 
Weight: 
4.8g
Diameter: 
21.75mm
Thickness: 
1.8mm
Year: 
Shape and style: 
Edge: 
Edge Lettering: 
Two inscriptions LATVIJAS BANKA (Bank of Latvia), separated by rhombic dots
Animals: 
Designer: 
Designer: 
Graphic design: 
Plaster model: 
Source of information: 
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Product name: Latvia 2010 Toad CuNi
Price: EUR3.00