Latvian lats Latvian lats The lats (plural: "lati" (2–9) "latu" (10 and more)), ISO 4217 currency code: LVL or 428) was the currency of Latvia from 1922 until it was replaced by the euro on 1 January 2014. A two-week transition period during which the lats was in circulation alongside the euro ended on 14 January 2014. It is abbreviated as "Ls" and was subdivided into 100 "santīmi" (singular: "santīms"; from French "centime"). The lats was first introduced on 3 August 1922, replacing the Latvian rublis at a rate of 1 lats = 50 rubļi. The lats was pegged against the gold
5 lats coin content in the coins. The Soviet authorities, however, did have 5 lats coins worth around 3.6 million after the lat was removed from circulation. In 1960, Soviet authorities reportedly sold silver lats coins to foreign numismatists for 28 DEM Around the same time the Soviet Bank started purchasing gold and silver coins of historical currencies. The 5 lats coin could be sold for 60 kopeks. The image of the maiden featured on the reverse of the coin was used in the design of the modern 500 lats banknote. It is also used as a watermark for all lats banknotes. The