2014-03-28
To commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Lithuania’s accession to the European Union and NATO — new circulation coin set
Today a 2014-issue numismatic circulation coin set with a commemorative sign, to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Lithuania’s accession to the European Union and NATO, was issued into circulation. The commemorative sign, in a stylistic manner, depicts the logos of the EU and NATO, the names of the member states, memorable dates of Lithuania’s membership in these organisations.
In 2004, Lithuania along with Latvia and Estonia became a member of two organisations: on 29 March — the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), and on 1 May — the European Union (EU).
“Membership in these organisations, after regaining independence, was the most important strategic goal for Lithuania — broad political consensus formed behind it among the country’s policy makers and, in order to achieve it, the country’s political, diplomatic and analytical resources were mobilised Membership in the EU and NATO not only symbolised Lithuania’s ‘return’ to Europe and its establishment in the transatlantic community, but it also was supposed to be an important instrument in strengthening the country’s statehood and protecting it from external threats,” notes Prof. Dr. Ramūnas Vilpišauskas, who created the text for the new coin set.
The numismatic set consists of 10, 20, 50 centas and 1, 2, 5 litas denomination circulation coins and the commemorative sign; their flat surface and relief is glossy (BU).
The mintage of this numismatic set — 4,000 pieces. They were minted by UAB Lietuvos monetų kalykla (Lithuanian Mint).
The numismatic set, valued at LTL 45, 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), or can be ordered through the Bank of Lithuania website.
The Bank of Lithuania has already issued twelve numismatic sets: in 1991, 2000, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 m.