2014-04-23
Silver coin — to Vytautas Magnus University, which celebrates the 25th Anniversary of Its Re-establishment
The Bank of Lithuania has issued into circulation a 50 litas collectors (commemorative) silver coin dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the re-establishment of Vytautas Magnus University. The new coin has been presented at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas.
“While our University is young, it has mature traditions and is continuing them. Born in the spring of the first Independence of the Republic of Lithuania, it served education, science and culture in Lithuania, while the peculiarity of the re-established University is its ability to organise studies, scientific research, University life differently,”— said professor Zigmas Lydeka, Rector of Vytautas Magnus University during the coin's presentation event.
Professor Zigmas Lydeka, Rector of Vytautas Magnus University (photo of Dainius Labutis, ELTA)
“The words ARTES LIBERALES (" liberal arts"), struck on the coin dedicated to the re-establishment of the University, do reflect the Rector's mentioned ability of the University to organise studies differently — based on the principles of a classical university, in order to develop critical thinking of young people and formulate liberal attitudes,” stated professor Raimondas Kuodis, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania.
Vytautas Magnus University was reborn in 1989 and is continuing the traditions of Lithuania's University established as far back as in 1922. Since its re-establishment VMU has been guided by the values of openness, dialogue and tolerance, and based on the experience of Western universities.
On the reverse of the silver coin dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the re-establishment of Vytautas Magnus University the artist Rolandas Rimkūnas artistically frames the inscription ARTES LIBERALES against the background of a composition of fragments of an open book and an outspread globe; on the edge of the coin, UNIVERSITAS VYTAUTI MAGNI is inscribed. The plaster model of the coin was created by Giedrius Paulauskis, while the text for the brochure of the coin was written by professor Jonas Vaičenonis
The coins were minted at the state enterprise Lithuanian Mint. The mintage is 3,000 pieces.
The coin, from their date of issue, can be purchased at the cash offices of the Bank of Lithuania in Vilnius (Totorių g.2/8 and Žirmūnų g. 151) and Kaunas (Maironio g. 25). The price of the coin (inclusive of VAT) in a display box is LTL 150; without a display box — LTL 130.
The coin dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the re-establishment of Vytautas Magnus University is already the 85th collectors (commemorative) coin issued by the Bank of Lithuania.