Latvia Banknotes Catalog

The history of banknotes in Latvia reflects the rich and complex history of the country. From its initial independence to the present day, Latvia has undergone several changes in its currency, passing through different stages that have left a significant mark on its notafilia.

Current banknotes in circulation

Latvia currently uses the euro as its official currency since its adoption in 2014. The banknotes in circulation are the standard eurozone banknotes, with denominations of €5, €10, €20, €50, €50, €100, €200 and €500. These banknotes feature common designs for all member countries, with architectural motifs representative of different eras in European history.

Historical banknotes of Latvia

Prior to the adoption of the euro, Latvia used the lats as its national currency. The lats banknotes, introduced in 1922 and reintroduced in 1993 after independence from the Soviet Union, featured designs that reflected Latvian culture and history. Prominent banknotes featured images of important personalities such as Krišjānis Barons on the 100-lat bill and folk motifs such as a Latvian maiden on the 5-lat note. During the Soviet occupation, Latvia used the Soviet ruble, marking a parenthesis in its independent monetary history.