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New Lithuanian coin 150th birth anniversary of Maironis (Jonas Mačiulis)
The 50 litas collector (commemorative) silver coin dedicated to the 150th birth anniversary of Maironis (Jonas Mačiulis) issued by the Bank of Lithuania on 25th of September 2012.
Maironis (born Jonas Mačiulis November 2 1862; June 28, 1932) is one of the most famous Lithuanian romantic poets. He was born in Pasandravys, Raseiniai district municipality, Lithuania. Maironis graduated from Kaunas high school and went on to study Literature at Kiev University. However, in 1884, after one year of studies at the university, he entered Kaunas Spiritual Seminary. While being at the seminary, Maironis became an active member of the Lithuanian National Revival. Maironis wrote a number of poems. Some of them are contained in his most famous collection of poems "Pavasario Balsai" (The Voices of Spring). Later Maironis studied at St. Petersburg Catholic Theological Academy. In the later years of his life, Maironis worked as a rector of Kaunas Priest Seminary and as a professor at the University of Lithuania, where he taught literature. He died in Kaunas and was interred in the mausoleum constructed in the Kaunas Cathedral.
The obverse of the coin features a stylised coat of arms Vytis, as well as the inscriptions LIETUVA (Lithuania), 50 LITŲ (50 litas) and 2012 arranged in a semi-circle. The obverse also bears the mintmark of the Lithuanian Mint.
The reverse of the coin features a stylised portrait of Maironis, a fragment from his poetry, a facsimile of his signature and the number 150, which signifies his birth anniversary.
Weight 28.28 g
”Full of sense words on the edge of the coin ”GINKIME KALBĄ, ŽEMĘ, JOS BŪDĄ!“ (Keep our language, land, traditions) is a motto of the prominent public figure, sincere patriot for his contemporaries and all future generations of the Lithuanians”, said Audrius Misevičius, Member of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania, Chairman of the Cash Design Commission. - It is s delight and symbolic that the coin dedicated to Maironis is seen off to its life in the native land of the national poet where twists of the rivers Sandrava and Luknė as well as valleys of the Dubysa inspired one of the most outstanding poets of Lithuania.”
Rytas Jonas Belevičius, artist of the coin, explained his creative idea as follows: ”I tried to depict on the edge of the coin a union of the material world wherein we live and of the spiritual element obligatory for one’s creative work. The right side of the coin bears a stylised portrait of Maironis, on its left-hand side is a fragment of his poem, and the middle of the coin resembles a mirror which, when you glance at it you may try to perceive the scope of the Great Poet’s heritage in your heart.”
A researcher of Maironis works the poetess Aldona Ruseckaitė writes in the coin dedicated brochure issued by the Bank of Lithuania: ”Maironis’ poems have remained popular among the Lithuanian people until today, they still have some place in their hearts. His verses remind of the ocean waves which retreat back and come to shore over and over again. During a more peaceful period in Lithuania’s history, the verses of the classic are as if at rest, but during difficult and elated mood periods in the state’s life, Maironis’ poems forge ahead. His poetry could be heard cited during the post-war period – the years of Soviet oppression, when thin volumes with Maironis’ poems were travelling to Siberia in the pockets of deportees who were learning them by heart, as well as during the mass meetings organised by Sajūdis, or at the barricades on the 13th of January.”
Source of information: Bank of Lithuania: www.lb.lt