Today, on 21 July, the central bank issues a silver €5 collector coin dedicated to the Sea Festival (from the series “Traditional Lithuanian Celebrations”). In the centre of the silver coin, there is a tiny piece of amber – the symbol of the Baltic Sea. The Bank of Lithuania also issues a €1.5 coin from a copper-nickel alloy, featuring the same design (except for the amber piece).
“The Sea Festival is one of the largest, brightest and oldest festivals organised in Lithuania, celebrating its 61st anniversary this year. Both coins dedicated to the Sea Festival commemorate the festival itself and pay respect towards the sea and sailors as well as towards Lithuania as a maritime state,” said Gediminas Šimkus, Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania.
According to him, the silver coin dedicated to the Sea Festival is the first one to contain amber in the Bank of Lithuania’s history of coin issuing. “Interestingly, amber was used by our ancestors in trade and acted as a means of payment. Today, the paths of amber and money cross once again,” said Mr Šimkus.
“Over the many decades of its existence, the festival has undergone multiple changes, therefore, many great features were added throughout the years, including various new traditions. The festival’s organisers give it a different look each year, as if constantly painting a new picture and inviting visitors to get acquainted with yet another side of the event. However, there is a common connecting thread – respect towards the sea and sailors,” wrote Vytautas Grubliauskas, Mayor of Klaipėda and author of the coin’s brochure.
The obverse of the coins features Vytis (the coat of arms of the Republic of Lithuania), the coat of arms of Klaipėda, the inscription LIETUVA (LITHUANIA), denomination (€5), the year of issue (2021) and the mintmark of the Lithuanian Mint – all of them as if imprinted on the seaside sand. The reverse of the coins depicts the symbols of the Sea Festival and Klaipėda that create an inviting and festive mood. On the edge of the coins, there are stylised symbols of sea waves and seagulls.
The obverse of the new collector coins was designed by Eglė Ratkutė and Adelė Žemaitienė, the reverse – by Rytas Jonas Belevičius.
The mintage of the silver €5 coin dedicated to the Sea Festival is 2,500 pcs, while of the €1.5 coin – 30,000 pcs. The silver coins were sold out at the Bank of Lithuania e-shop during their pre-sale, whereas €1.5 coins are still available for purchase both at the e-shop and the Bank of Lithuania cash offices (no more than 5 pcs per person on the release date).
