The national side of the euro

Every state, which has adopted the euro, enjoys the right of issuing euro coins whose one side of all states is common (common side) and the other is different (national side). Euro coins issued by Lithuania will bear the symbol of the Lithuanian national emblem Vytis, as was the wish of the majority of the Lithuanian population. This wish was discovered through a public opinion survey made by the Bank of Lithuania, which, having estimated the results of the survey, formulated the terms and conditions of the tender for the design of plaster models for the national side of euro coins.

14 artists participated in the Bank of Lithuania open tender announced in 2004 who presented 54 plaster models. The Currency Design and Production Commission of the Bank of Lithuania selected five works for further consideration to be awarded prizes. The works by the sculptor Antanas Zukauskas from Vilnius was selected as the best.

On 24 February 2005 the Board of the Bank of Lithuania approved three plaster models by this author to be used for the national side of euro coins: for 1 and 2 euro coins; 10, 20 and 50 euro cent coins; and 1, 2 and 5 euro cent coins. The Vytis will be surrounded with 12 stars: against the background of vertical lines on 1 and 2 euro coins; against horizontal lines on 10, 20 and 50 euro cent coins; and on a plain surface on 1, 2 and 5 euro cent coins.

These euro and cent coins that will circulate in the entire euro area will be minted by the Lithuanian Mint operating in Vilnius.

1 euro coin	2 euro coin

10 euro cent coin	20 euro cent coin	50 euro cent coin
1 euro cent coin	2 euro cent coin	5 euro cent coin