On Monday, 14 December, the Bank of Lithuania issued into circulation the first Lithuanian 2 euro commemorative coin, which is dedicated to the Lithuanian language. These Lithuanian coins, the mintage of which is one million, may be used for payments not only in Lithuania, but also in other countries using the euro. The launch of the new coin took place at the Writers Hall at the Faculty of Philology of Vilnius University.

‘With the first Lithuanian commemorative coin, we spread the word about our remarkable language — it is believed to be the most archaic living Indo-European language. The coin bears the word AČIŪ (‘Thank you’). This is one of the first words that children and foreigners learn; it is often used in our daily life. The word also reflects the Lithuanian language and is beautifully linked to the theme of money. After all, each payment for goods or services, in a sense, is a materialised way of expressing gratitude,’ said Vitas Vasiliauskas, Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania.

The commemorative 2 euro coins dedicated to the Lithuanian language were minted at the UAB Lithuanian Mint. The mintage of the coin is 1 million, including 10 thousand of a higher (BU) quality in a numismatic package. Designers of the national side of the coin were Liudas Parulskis and Giedrius Paulauskis.

At its Cash Offices, the Bank of Lithuania offers for sale coins in a numismatic package (the price per package is €9). The remaining mintage is issued to banks as normal circulation currency; it will not be possible to obtain coins at the Bank’s Cash Offices at their nominal value.