On 28 June the Bank of Lithuania issued into circulation a new collector coin “There Is No Planet B” dedicated to environmental protection. The unconventional coin of elliptical shape aims to draw the public’s attention to the challenges posed by climate change and the need to protect nature.
“Instead of a perfectly round coin, this time we are issuing a deformed and oddly shaped coin. It symbolises the current world order and harmony being disrupted by climate change. To address this problem, we all have to start with ourselves: how can I consume less and minimise my environmental footprint? Not only individual but also collective efforts, by governments, businesses and central banks, are important,” says Raimondas Kuodis, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania. He will present the new coin on 28 June at 18:00 in Panevėžys at the opening ceremony of the Climate Museum, which is touring Lithuania.
The obverse of the silver coin features an artistic representation of the planet Earth disappearing due to reckless and selfish behaviour: the planet will perish if humankind does not take responsibility for it. The reverse of the coin features a void and a symbolic inscription “Nėra planetos B” (There is no Planet B).
In the accompanying e-brochure, climatologist and philosopher Silvestras Dikčius writes: “Climate change is an existential problem of humankind. In order to comprehend it, we have to remove ourselves from our familiar perception of time and pragmatism. It is a perfect conundrum. For the long-term plan ‘humankind on planet Earth’ not to fail, the time to change is now.”
The silver coin, weighing 23.30 g, will be issued in a mintage of 2,750. The coin was designed by the artist Egidijus Rapolis. The collector coins were minted at the Lithuanian Mint. The box of the coin is made from corrugated cardboard which is a sustainable packaging.
The public voted in favour of the collector coin dedicated to environmental protection a few years back, with 40% of voters choosing this option in a poll on the Bank of Lithuania’s website. The theme of the coin is also very important to the Bank of Lithuania itself, as managing climate change risks is one of its strategic objectives for 2022–2025. Achieving this objective requires both the central bank and the Lithuanian financial sector to become greener.
Raimondas Kuodis, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania, will present the new coin on 28 June at 18:00 in Panevėžys (Parko g. 12, nearby “Cido” arena) at the opening ceremony of the Climate Museum, which is touring Lithuania. Residents of Panevėžys and guests will be able to not only see the new coin but also win it. You are kindly invited to attend! More information about the event and the Climate Museum is available here.
