Bank of Lithuania to issue a coin “Together with Ukraine” in aid to Ukraine

Tomorrow, 16 March, the Bank of Lithuania will issue into circulation the €2 commemorative coin “Together with Ukraine”. Most of the proceeds from the coins (excluding the nominal value and VAT) will be allocated in aid to Ukraine. Each person purchasing the coin will contribute EUR 10, while the total price of the coin is EUR 14.52. The funds will be transferred to the account opened by the National Bank of Ukraine for humanitarian aid.

This coin, both in a numismatic package and in rolls, will be available for purchase on the Bank of Lithuania e-shop and the Bank of Lithuania cash offices in Vilnius and Kaunas.

“Today it is important to come together and unite for those who are fighting for their freedom as we once did. The aggression against Ukraine and its people obliges each of us to help a country fighting for their freedom with real action rather than merely observe. Therefore, the Bank of Lithuania is issuing the €2 coin “Together with Ukraine”, which is our response to the aggressor and active assistance to Ukraine and its people,” says Gediminas Šimkus, Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania.

The national side of the coin was designed by Eglė Žemaitė. The centre of the coin features a stylised sunflower with petals resembling silhouettes of people holding hands, embracing and protecting each other, embodying unity, support and the power of being together. Using artistic means, the sunflower is designed as the rising Sun – the hope of a new beginning, and as birds – freedom, hope and courage, as people rising above the circumstances, never accepting any forced will. It is an allusion to those who have sacrificed their lives and their departing souls.

“In creating the concept of the coin, I wanted people and humanity to dominate, because being human, protecting and cherishing one another is vital in this alarming situation. This coin is especially important to me, because it allows me to contribute to the support for Ukraine in a way that is dearest to me – with my art. I believe that I succeeded in conveying unity, hope, strength, and at the same time the tragedy of the Ukrainian people on the coin,” says Eglė Žemaitė.

The common side is the same as on €2 circulation coins, it was designed by Luc Luycx.

The reverse of the coin features a geographical image of Europe.

The maximum mintage of the coin “Together with Ukraine” is 500,000 pcs, including a maximum of 50,000 BU-quality coins in a numismatic package (of which 15,000 pcs on the day of release). The mintage of UNC-quality coins is 450,000 pcs. The coins were minted by the Lithuanian Mint. Purchasing coins in a numismatic package will contribute to the support for Ukraine, while circulation coins of UNC quality are exchanged according to denomination.

€2 commemorative coins are legal tender across the entire euro area.

This is the second coin issued by the Bank of Lithuania dedicated to Ukraine’s fight for freedom. In 2022, the bank issued a silver collector coin, the proceeds of which amounted to EUR 346,290 and were transferred to Ukraine.