Latvia Coat of Arms

Latvia · 1918 · 5 Kapeikas

This stamp features the first national coat of arms of Latvia, depicting a rising sun with three stars above it, representing the historical regions of Kurzeme, Vidzeme, and Latgale. It is the first postage stamp issued by the newly independent Republic of Latvia. The design is simple, printed on the back of unfinished German military maps due to paper shortages following World War I.

Issued in December 1918, just one month after Latvia declared its independence from the Russian Empire, this stamp symbolizes the birth of the nation and its struggle for sovereignty amidst the turmoil of the post-WWI era.