The Bank of Lithuania issued into circulation the €10 and €1.5 collector coins on July 21st 2017,the reverse of which features two Lithuanian hounds and a žemaitukas. The coin commemorating ancient Lithuanian breeds was presented at Lietuvos žirgynas, a stud farm in Riešė.

‘If a dog or a horse is considered to be a man’s best friend, the Lithuanian hound and žemaitukas could be called companions of the Lithuanian people. By issuing this collector coin, we pay homage to traditional Lithuanian breeds, which sadly are now becoming extinct’, said Vitas Vasiliauskas, Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania.

The two breeds are among the oldest not only in Lithuania, but also in the world. Nowdays Lithuania counts around 500 pure-bred žemaitukai that are registered in the herdbook and 200 Lithuanian hounds. The participants of the presentation had a unique opportunity to admire the žemaitukai kept at Lietuvos žirgynas as well as Lithuanian hounds brought to the event by hunters. One of the key tasks of the stud farm is to maintain and preserve the endangered breed of žemaitukas. Included in the Global Databank for Farm Animal Genetic Resources and the World Watch List for Domestic Animal Diversity, it has been known since the 6–8th century. To preserve the Lithuanian hounds, a special programme was developed, yet it is the hunters raising these dogs who are most invested in the breed’s varietal purity.

The €1.5 coin commemorating the Lithuanian hound and žemaitukas (the so-called pusantrokas) is the second coin of such denomination issued by the Bank of Lithuania. This way, the Bank of Lithuania seeks to expand the range of euro coins issued, highlight the more popular themes as well as encourage more people to take an interest in collecting coins.

The coins dedicated to the Lithuanian hound and žemaitukas were minted at the Lithuanian Mint.

Silver coin face value 10 Euro

Silver Ag 925
Diameter 34.00 mm
Weight 23.3 g
Quality proof
Designed by Giedrius Paulauskis and Rūta Ničajienė
Mintage 2000 pcs

CuNi coin face value 1.5 Euro

Metal CuNi Cupronickel (copper-nickel)
Diameter 27.5 mm
Weight 11.1 g
Quality proof
Designed by Giedrius Paulauskis and Rūta Ničajienė
Mintage 25.000 pcs

Collector coins were minted at the Lithuanian Mint.
Each member state which has adopted the euro has the right to mint collector euro coins, selecting the denomination, metal and other features at its discretion. hese coins must significantly differ from circulation coins in at least two of the following three features: colour, diameter or weight. Such coins are only legal tender in the issuing country, unlike circulation and commemorative euro coins, which are legal tender in the entire euro area.

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