2545) Constitution of Lithuania: Centenary Celebrations (1922-2022): A €50 Gold Coin issued by the Bank of Lithuania (BOL) commemorating the milestone: Date of Coin issue: 06.09.2022:

2545) Constitution of Lithuania: Centenary Celebrations (1922-2022): A €50 Gold Coin issued by the Bank of Lithuania (BOL) commemorating the milestone: Date of Coin issue: 06.09.2022:

The Bank of Lithuania (BOL) has issued a Gold Coin of €50 (50 Euro) on 06.09.2022, which is dedicated to the Centenary of the Constitution of the State of Lithuania (1922-2022). 

One hundred years ago, on 01.08.1922, the "Constituent Seimas" (Constituent Assembly) adopted the first permanent Constitution, which established the independent democratic Republic of Lithuania.

The importance of this anniversary is also reflected in the fact that this gold coin has been dedicated to it, because the Bank of Lithuania issues gold coins very rarely - of the 139 Litas and Euro Collector Coins issued since 1993, only 20 coins, including the new coin, are of gold.

The modern Constitution of the independent State of Lithuania is based on the legal traditions of Western countries and reflects the Lithuanian Nation’s desire for independence, social and political aspirations, and establishes a democratic constitutional order. 

The centuries-old traditions of Lithuanian constitutionalism are the foundation for the current 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania and the source of inspiration for its creators.

The 1922 Constitution consists of a preamble and 108 articles, divided into 15 chapters.

 Its first paragraph clearly states that: “The State of Lithuania shall be an independent democratic republic. Sovereignty shall belong to the Nation.”

 The Seimas was the supreme governing body, while the Cabinet of Ministers and the President, elected by the Seimas, held executive power. 

It remained in force until 1928, when Antanas Smetona promulgated a new Constitution after the coup d’état of 17.12.1926.

The Commemorative Coin:

The Reverse and Obverse of the Commemorative Gold Coin placed side-by-side

The Reverse of the €50 Gold Proof Coin dedicated to the Centenary of the Constitution of the State of Lithuania depicts the democratic foundations of state-building enshrined in the Constitution of the State of Lithuania, conveyed in a symbolic way.

The peripheral inscriptions read - LIETUVOS VALSTYBES KONSTITUCIIA. 100" 

The Obverse of the €50 Gold Proof Coin features a stylised symbol of the Coat of Arms of the Republic of Lithuania - the "Vytis". 

Below, there is the denomination of "50 E", and at the top of the coin, in a semicircle, is given the inscription "LIETUVA" (LITHUANIA).

The specifications of this Gold Coin are:

Country: Lithuania; Date/Year of Coin issue: 06.09.2022; Coin Theme: "Centenary of the Constitution of Lithuania - 1922-2022"; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 7.78 grams or 1/4 Oz; Diameter/Size: 22.30 mm; Coin Quality: Proof (P); Mint: Lithuanian Mint; Mintage: 3,000 pieces; Designer: Egidijus Rapolis; Complectation: Coin, original box, Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

Remarks: The text of the accompanying brochure was written by historian Dr. Saulius Kaubrys.

Links:

1) Lithuania: Celebrating the Uzagavenes Festival: (The end of winter & the coming of spring): Bank of Lithuania has issued two coins - A 5 Euro Silver coin and a 1.5 Euro Cupro-nickel Coin in honour of the Festival

2) Symbols of Lithuania State - Historic Paper Banknotes: A set of three stamps issued on the theme "Numismatics" and features Lithuanian Banknotes issued after the "Law on Monetary Unit" adopted on 09.08.1922: Stamp issue date: 17.01.2020

3) Tengmalm's Owl, Lithuania: included in the Lithuanian Red Book: A Postage stamp of 0.75 Euro issued by Lithuanian Post: Stamp issue date: 31.01.2020

4) Ancient Postal Routes, Lithuania: A set of two postage stamps of 0.75 Euros each, issued by Lietuvos Pastas (Lithuanian Post) on the theme: Date of stamps issue: 12.06.2020

5) "Hill of Crosses", Lithuania: A $2 (Two Dollars) Circulating Commemorative Coin features the famous pilgrimage site in Lithuania: Year of Coin issue: 2020

6) Steponas Darius and Stasys Girenas, (Aircraft Pilots), Lithuania: Crossing the Atlantic in their aeroplane the "Lituanica" (1933), ending in a tragic fatal crash: The heroes featured on a 10 Litu Banknoteissued in 1993 (twice), 1997 and 2001 with slight variations

7) The Columns of Gediminas or Pillars of Gediminas: Symbols of the lithuanian State: A set of four stamps issued by Lietuvos Patas (Lithuanian Post): Date of Stamp set issue: 05.01.2018

8) "The Lithuanian Resistance/Partisans", Lithuania: Lietuvos Pastas (Lithuanian Post) has issued a set of two stamps of 0.70 Euro each depicting heroes of the European Resistance: Stamp Set issue date: 21.03.2022

9) "There is no Planet B", Lithuania: The Bank of Lithuania has brought out an irregular/distorted shaped 10 Euro Silver Proof Coin, minted by the Lithuanian Mint symbolising the present state of the Earth due to Climate Change, misusing Earth's Natural Resources and Neglecting our Natural Habitat: Date/Year of Coin issue: 28.06.2022

10) Lithuanian Tree Cake (or "Sakotis"), Lithuania: Lietuvos pastas (Lithuanian Post) has issued a postage stamp of 0.55 Euros celebrating the famous cake of their country: Date of Stamp issue: 12.08.2022

11) Constitution of Lithuania: Centenary Celebrations (1922-2022): A 50 Euro Gold Coin issued by the Bank of Lithuania (BOL) commemorating the milestone: Date of Coin issue: 06.09.2022