Gold Coin for Lithuania Millennium Anniversary

The Bank of Lithuania has issued the second proof gold coin in a series of three to commemorate the millennium anniversary of the first written mention of Lithuania — found in a medieval Prussian manuscript, the Quedlinburg Chronicle, on February 14, 1009.

"This is already the fifty sixth commemorative coin issued by the Bank of Lithuania. It reflects the historical and cultural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania symbolising the prosperity of the State," the Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania said.

The 100 Litas 999.9 fine gold coin was designed by Liudas Parulskis and implemented in plaster by Giedrius Paulauskis. Struck and minted en mass at the Lithuanian Mint, it has a diameter of 22.3 millimeters, weighs 7.78 grams and is limited to 10,000 pieces.

The obverse ("heads" side) features the stylized state emblem of Vytis against a background of historic victories and flames of ceaseless renewal. It is surrounded by the inscriptions LIETUVA (Lithuania), 100 LITU (100 Litas), 2008 and mintmark of the Lithuanian Mint.

The reverse of the coin depicts main events and phenomena of the state against the background of a stylized map of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The composition is encircled by the inscription LIETUVOS DIDZIOJI KUNIGAIKSTYSTE (The Grand Duchy of Lithuania). The top bears a GDL duke’s coronet.

The edge includes the inscription LIETUVOS VARDO TŪKSTANTMETIS (The Millennium of the Name of Lithuania).

The coins can be obtained at the cash offices of the Bank of Lithuania in Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipeda. The price of the coin is LTL 850, or about $317 U.S. See International Currency Converter.

The first coin in the series was released in 2007. The third and final commemorative is scheduled for release in 2009.