On 2 October 2016, the Bank of Lithuania celebrated its 94th anniversary. This, of course, is not the only important date in the history of the central bank. On 1 October 1992, the Soviet rouble was taken out of circulation and the talonas, which replaced the previous currency, became the only legal tender in Lithuania.
Although they are often mockingly called “little beasts” or by a diminutive made from a famous politician’s surname, many remember talonas with nostalgia. It was the first national currency after the country regained its independence. A year later, they were replaced by the litas at the rate of 100:1. Talonas stayed in circulation until 20 July 1993. The Bank of Lithuania then started destroying them and continued the process for a couple of years.
In the gallery, you can see how talonas banknotes were destroyed at Grigiškės Paper Factory in 1995. These are unique photographs made public for the first time.
