Latvian lats
| Latvian lats | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Latvijas lats (Latvian) | |||
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| ISO 4217 Code | LVL | ||
| User(s) |  Latvia |
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| Inflation | -0,6% | ||
| Source | [1], Jul 2010 est. | ||
| ERM | |||
| Since | 2 May 2009 | ||
| Fixed rate since | 1 January 2005 | ||
| Replaced by €, cash | 2014-2018[1] | ||
| € = | Ls 0.702804 | ||
| Band | pegged in practice, 15% de jure | ||
| Subunit | |||
| 1/100 | santīms | ||
| Symbol | Ls (before numerals) | ||
| santīms | s (after numerals) | ||
| Plural | lati (nom. pl.) or latu (gen. pl.) | ||
| santīms | santīmi (nom. pl.) or santīmu (gen. pl.) | ||
| Coins | 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 santīmu, 1, 2 lati | ||
| Banknotes | 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 latu | ||
| Central bank | Bank of Latvia | ||
| Website | www.bank.lv | ||
- For common abbreviations, see lat (disambiguation)
The lats (plural: lati, ISO 4217 currency code: LVL or 428) is the currency of Latvia. It is abbreviated as Ls. The lats is sub-divided into 100 santīmi (singular: santīms , plural also santīmi; from French centime). In fact, the singular word is "lat", the 's' at the end is the linguistical extension for a male singular word. That's why the 's' disappears in the plural 'lati'.
Contents |
First lats, 1922–1940
The lats was first introduced in 1922, replacing the Latvian rublis at a rate of 1 lats = 50 rubļi. In 1940, Latvia was incorporated into the USSR and the lats was replaced by the Soviet ruble at par.
Coins
Coins were issued in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 & 50 santīmu, 1, 2 & 5 lati. The 1, 2 & 5 santīmu were in bronze, the 10, 20 & 50 santīmu were nickel, while coins of 1 lats & above were in silver.
Banknotes
The Latvian Bank issued notes from 1922 in denominations of 20, 25, 50, 100 and 500 latu. They also issued 10 latu notes which were 500 rubli notes overprinted with the new denomination. The government issued currency notes from 1925 in denominations of 10 and 20 latu.
Second lats, 1993–
The lats was reintroducted in 1993, replacing the Latvian rublis, which was used for a short period after Latvia regained its independence, at a rate of 1 lats = 200 rubļu.
Coins
Coins are issued in denominations of 1 santīms, 2 & 5 santīmi, 10, 20 & 50 santīmu, as well as 1 lats and 2 lati. Also, there are commemorative coins in denominations of 2, 10, 20, 100 latu made of gold and silver.
Banknotes
| Current Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Value | Main Colour | Description | ||
| Obverse | Reverse | Obverse | Reverse | ||
| 5 lati | Green | Oak tree | |||
| 10 latu | Purple | River Daugava | Sakt | ||
| 20 latu | Brownish-Green | Traditional house | |||
| 50 latu | Blue | Sailing-ship | Keys | ||
| 100 Latu | Red | Krišjānis Barons | |||
| 500 Latu | Brown | Latvian folk-maid | |||
Euro
Latvia has been a member of the European Union since 1 May 2004 and is a member of the Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union, but it has not completed the third stage of the EMU. The lats is in ERM II, and floats within 1% of the central rate, Ls 0.702804 = €1. Latvia had originally planned to adopt the euro as its official currency on 1 January 2008. It is now expected that Latvia will introduce the euro in 2012 at the earliest,[2] although the head of the National Bank of Latvia has suggested that 2013 may be a more realistic date.[3]
| Current LVL exchange rates | |
|---|---|
| From Google Finance: | AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD LTL EEK |
| From Yahoo! Finance: | AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD LTL EEK |
| From XE.com: | AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD LTL EEK |
| From OANDA.com: | AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD LTL EEK |
Other updated currency rates: [2]. The lats is the fourth-highest-valued currency unit after the Kuwaiti dinar, Bahraini dinar, and the Omani rial. The 500-Latu note is the world's second most valuable banknote next to the $10,000 Singapore note.
Currency Exchange in Latvia - Latvian currency exchange market comparison.
See also
- Latvian euro coins
- Economy of Latvia
References
- ↑ http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/finances/?doc=22518
- ↑ "Don’t look for the Euro until after 2012". New Europe. 2007-08-18. http://www.neurope.eu/view_news.php?id=76779. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
- ↑ "Bank targets 2013 as Latvia’s ‘E-day’". baltictimes.com. 2007-10-26. http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/19151/. Retrieved 2007-10-28.
External links
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