January 15, 2015 – A 50 litas silver commemorative coin was issued on December 16, 2014. This was a very last litas coin as Lithuania adopted the euro from the 1st of January, 2015.
The graphic projects of the coin were created by the artist Agne Dautartaite-Krutule.
Silver 925 / 28, 28 g / 44 mm / quality proof / designer: Agne Dautartaite-Krutule / mintage 3 000 pcs. Minted at JSC Lithuanian Mint.
The obverse of the coin features a stylized coat-of-arms of the Republic of Lithuania (Vytis) which creates an effect of motion. The incorrect arrangement of correct circles on the reverse of the coin creates the unpredictable illusion of motion as though hypnotizing. The artist designed a small synergetic miracle – no matter how you turn the coin all the elements on the obverse and the reverse remain proportional.
Because of the optical spinning illusion these elements look like deformed – it seems like they change their shape if you look at them quite long. This illusion is a reason why the coin looks bigger and thinner than it really is. A silver spherical small ball is a significant accent which emphasizes the optical effect of spinning.
Because of its convex shape, insert and the use of the optical art principles this coin can be called the most technologically advanced one in the history of all Lithuanian collector coins. Through the process of creative work an artist refined the idea of farewell to litas – holding this coin in your hand you can feel inimitable trembling of transformation.
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More information about the Lithuanian Euro you may find on the website of the Central Bank of the Republic of Lithuania.