The Bank of Lithuania issued a 50 litas commemorative coin dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the birth of Kristijonas Donelaitis.

Kristijonas Donelaitis (January 1, 1714 – February 18, 1780; Latin: Christian Donalitius) was a Prussian Lithuanian Lutheran pastor and poet. He lived and worked in Lithuania Minor, a territory in the Kingdom of Prussia, that had a sizable minority of ethnic Lithuanians. He wrote the first classic Lithuanian language poem, The Seasons (Lithuanian: Metai), which became one of the principal works of Lithuanian poetry. The poem, a classic work of Lithuanian literature, depicts everyday life of Lithuanian peasants, their struggle with serfdom, and the annual cycle of life.

50 litas coin is made of Silver Ag 925, Diameter 38.61 mm, Weight 28.28 g, Quality proof
The edge of the silver coin bears the inscription JAU SAULELĖ VĖL ATKOPDAMA BUDINO SVIETĄ (THE CLIMBING SUN AGAIN WAS WAKENING THE WORLD) is inscribed.

The obverse of the coin features a stylized coat of arms of the Republic of Lithuania, which is surrounded by the inscriptions LIETUVA 2014, 50 LITŲ and images of the life of Lithuanian peasants. The mintmark of the Lithuanian Mint is impressed on the obverse of the coin.

On the reverse of the coin, works and activities of Lithuanian peasants, depicted with reference to motifs of the poem “Metai” by Kristijonas Donelaitis, as well as the Sun, which represents the Earth’s natural cycle change, revolve in the eternal circle of life. There is an inscription KRISTIJONAS DONELAITIS, 300..

The coin is minted at UAB Lietuvos monetų kalykla (Lithuanian Mint). Mintage of silver coins 3,000 pieces. Coins are designed by Giedrius Paulauskis and Tadas Žebrauskas.

Source of information: Bank of Lithuania: www.lb.lt