2017-07-21
Today the Bank of Lithuania issued into circulation the €10 and €1.5 collector coins, the reverse of which features two Lithuanian hounds and a žemaitukas. The coin commemorating ancient Lithuanian breeds was presented at Lietuvos žirgynas, a stud farm in Riešė.
‘If a dog or a horse is considered to be a man’s best friend, the Lithuanian hound and žemaitukas could be called companions of the Lithuanian people. By issuing this collector coin, we pay homage to traditional Lithuanian breeds, which sadly are now becoming extinct’, said Vitas Vasiliauskas, Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania.
The two breeds are among the oldest not only in Lithuania, but also in the world. Nowdays Lithuania counts around 500 pure-bred žemaitukai that are registered in the herdbook and 200 Lithuanian hounds. The participants of the presentation had a unique opportunity to admire the žemaitukai kept at Lietuvos žirgynas as well as Lithuanian hounds brought to the event by hunters. One of the key tasks of the stud farm is to maintain and preserve the endangered breed of žemaitukas. Included in the Global Databank for Farm Animal Genetic Resources and the World Watch List for Domestic Animal Diversity, it has been known since the 6–8th century. To preserve the Lithuanian hounds, a special programme was developed, yet it is the hunters raising these dogs who are most invested in the breed’s varietal purity.
The €1.5 coin commemorating the Lithuanian hound and žemaitukas (the so-called pusantrokas) is the second coin of such denomination issued by the Bank of Lithuania. This way, the Bank of Lithuania seeks to expand the range of euro coins issued, highlight the more popular themes as well as encourage more people to take an interest in collecting coins.
The coins dedicated to the Lithuanian hound and žemaitukas were minted at the Lithuanian Mint. From their date of issue (21 July), they can be purchased at the Bank of Lithuania cash offices as well as from official distributors of Bank of Lithuania numismatic items.