On June 17, 2014, the Bank of Lithuania has released a coin dedicated to Baltic Studies; 10 litas Baltistica Lithuanian science coin. The coin dedicated to Baltic Studies was created by the artist Vaidotas Skolevičius and minted using .999 gold. Only 5,000 pieces minted by the UAB Lithuanian Mint.
“Baltic Studies, which explore the spiritual and material culture of the Balts, helped us, the Lithuanian nation, understand where we came from, who we are and what lies ahead for us in the future. In issuing this coin we sought to emphasise the importance of this branch of science and to honour those who contributed by studying and glorifying the Lithuanian and other Baltic languages, as well its cultural treasure-trove,” said Marius Jurgilas, Member of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania.
The obverse of the coin features a stylized coat of arms of the Republic of Lithuania, which is surrounded by the inscriptions LIETUVA, 2014, 10 LITŲ (LITHUANIA, 2014, 10 LITAS).
On the reverse of the coin, an amber disc is artistically memorialized; it is an archaeological find from the Neolithic period attributed to Baltic ethnology. On the left side of the coin, an inscription BALTISTIKA (BALTISTICA) is arranged in a semi-circle.
Vilnius University rector habil. dr. Jūras Banys, says that “The most important research in Baltic Studies is done here, in the Baltic Studies Department of Vilnius University, in close cooperation with global centres of Baltic Studies. It is no mistake that the coin dedicated to Baltic Studies is presented to the public here, in the very heart of this field of science, where the forces of researchers in Baltic linguistics, history, archaeology come together”.
From the 1960’s, Vilnius University has been famous as a global centre of Baltic Studies; in 1965 it began issuing the journal Baltistica, organising a congress of Baltic Studies researchers and other international conferences. Currently, around the world (mostly in Europe) there are over 30 centres of Baltic Studies, where Baltic languages and culture are studied and/or are taught by people ranging from one to more than a dozen.
Technical Specifications:
Metal: Gold Au 999
Diameter: 13.92 mm
Weight: 1.244 g
Quality: proof
Edge: plane.
Designer: Vaidotas Skolevičius
Mintage: 5,000
Year: 2014
Mint: UAB Lithuanian Mint.
You can visit Bank of Lithuania website for more info: www.lb.lt
