The coat of arms of the University of Latvia is depicted in the centre: an oak, encircled by a laurel wreath, with the inscriptions UNIVERSITAS LATVIENSIS, the name of the University of Latvia in Latin, and SCIENTIAE ET PATRIAE (`To Science and Fatherland`), the motto of the University of Latvia, arranged above and beneath the oak respectively. The oak, with its branches symbolising the faculties, is in the centre of the coat of arms. The left-hand side of the oak is struck in relief whereas the right-hand side is a minted photo image, thus symbolising the `dry` science versus the jolly life. The inscription LATVIJAS REPUBLIKA is arranged in a semicircle above the central motif, with the inscriptions MCMXIX (1919), the foundation year of the University of Latvia, and 2009, the coinage year, semicircled beneath it to the left and right respectively.
Obverse script
Latin
Obverse lettering
LATVIJAS REPUBLIKA
UNIVERSITAS LATVIENSIS
SCIENTIAE ET PATRIAE
MCMXIX 20009
Reverse description
The reverse features the main building of the University of Latvia in the centre, with an owl, the symbol of wisdom, sitting on books in the foreground and a rose, a dedication to the beautiful female students, behind the owl. The semicircular inscription LATVIJAS UNIVERSITĀTE is arranged at the top and the inscription 1 LATS at the bottom of the reverse.
Reverse script
Latin
Reverse lettering
LATVIJAS UNIVERSITĀTE
1 LATS
Edge
The words VIVAT, CRESCAT and FLOREAT, separated by rhombic
