100 Rubli 1921, Latvia
| in Krause book | Number: 7с |
| Years of issue: | 06.05.1921 - 01.08.1925 |
| Edition: | 478 177 |
| Signatures: | Finanšu ministrs: Ringold Kalnings, Valsts Kases pārvaldnieks (Walsts Kases pāhrwaldnieks): Kārlis Vanags |
| Serie: | 1919 Issue |
| Specimen of: | 1919 |
| Material: | Cotton fiber |
| Size (mm): | 152 x 95 |
| Printer: | Aleksandra Groseta (Mārstaļu ielā, Riga) un Valstspapiru spiеstuvēs |
* All pictures marked 
are increased partially by magnifying glass, the remaining open in full size by clicking on the image.
** The word "Specimen" is present only on some of electronic pictures, in accordance with banknote images publication rules of appropriate banks.
Description
Watermark:
Thin, black horizontal lines.
Avers:
Julijs Madernieks (1870-1955), one of the most significant creators of Latvian professional applied art and the most famous Latvian master of ornamentation at the beginning of the XX century, commissioned by the Ulmanis government in 1919, drawings of Latvian banknotes with the sun in the center with 17 wavy rays, symbolizing 17 counties of the former Russian Empire inhabited by Latvians, three six-pointed stars (as symbols of the unity of the three historical parts of Latvia - Kurzeme and Zemgale (Courland and Semigalia), Vidzeme (Livonia) and Latgale (Latgale), three western districts of the former Vitebsk province of the Russian Empire), the letter "L" and a ribbon in the colors of the Latvian flag.
This emblem, in 1919, became in fact the first coat of arms (emblem) of the Republic of Latvia, which was depicted on the breastplate of the Latvian riflemen who fought on the side of the Ulmanis government, on the stamp of stamp duty issued in 1919 and later formed the basis of the military emblem (cockade) of the Latvian army.
Below, an inscription in Latvian. The same inscription (second part), in Russian and German, is shown on the reverse of the banknote!
In English: "All treasury bills are provided with all the property of the state bank" "Penalty for counterfating of Latvian money, or for the storage and distribution of counterfeit goods, is 12 years of forced labor".
Denominations in figures and words are scattered throughout the entire field of the banknote.
Revers:
Oak is an ancient Latvian symbol of strength and strength, with the rising sun in the background.
Oak of ancestors in Kaive.
The biggest tree in girth in the Baltics and Eastern Europe. In the 20th years of the 20th century the lightning struck the top of the tree, so only the one largest branch survived. When the oak was in full bloom, the girth of its crown was about 70 m, height - 17 m. Presumably, the ancient oak footstool was a cult place. Until recently, nearby residents believed, that before a long journey they should go to the oak, then the trip will have a success.
As a place of worship of the ancient Latvians, it is included in the list of archaeological sites. A tree, as secular republican values, is on the list of protected objects of nature. Oak of ancestors Kaive is eleventh in thickness and most voluminous oak in the Baltics and Eastern Europe. Speculation about his real age vary, some believe that it is 800-1000 years old. Today, its girth is 10.2 meters.
Comments:
Designer: H. Grinberg.
Designer: Hermanis Grinbergs.
In anticipation of a trip to Latvia, in May 2014, I found an information on the Internet with the assumptions, that this oak, on the banknote 5 Lats is likely located near the village of Kaive. It is on the road to Ventspils, if you drive from Riga, in Tukums region. My wife and I became very interested in visiting this place.
After right turn from paved road we faced an unpaved one, sprinkled with coarse gravel. I drove a few hundred yards and decided to make sure that we're going in the right direction. Went into a village library, near the road.
Women, and them there were six, were very pleasant and talkative. We just became a little upset, because they said, that the oak is barely alive, he is very old and it is good, that we have come now, because, who knows, how many years are left for the oak.
Having gone 8 kilometers we reached the goal and were pleasantly surprised. It is evident, of course, that the tree is really old, but in our opinion, still very much alive. Just try to imagine, what this oak has survived for some, just simply, 1000 years. This photo you can see here.
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