The Latvians, of Aryan descent, were nomadic tribesmen who settled along the Baltic prior to the 13th century. Lacking a central government, the were easily conquered by the German Teutonic Knights, Russia, Sweden and Poland. Following the third partition of Poland by Austria, Prussia and Russia in 1795, Latvia came under Russia domination and did not experience autonomy until the Russian Revolution of 1917 provided an opportunity for freedom. The Latvian Republic was established on November 18, 1918. The republic was occupied by Soviet troops and annexed to the Soviet Union in 1940. Following the German occupation of 1941-1944, it was retaken by Russia and reestablished as a member republic of the Soviet Union.
The coinage, issued during the county's brief independence, is obsolete.
Latvia declared their independence from the Soviet Union on August 22, 1991.

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