Coins of the Lithuanian litas

The modern coinage of Lithuania was introduced in 1993. It is composed of coins denominated in centas (plurals centai and centų) and litas (plurals litai and litų)

2 centai - 1991 release

5 centai - 1991 release

These coins are made from aluminium and therefore are white. The coins' edge is plain. They were designed by sculptor Petras Garška. These coins are the first permanent coins released after the restoration of independence in 1990. Unlike other coins they bear the same date - 1991 - no matter the year of actual production. The design has not changed even though they bear an old version of the Coat of Arms (the horse's tail looks down instead of up, the knight is leaning forward, and other details).

People usually refer to these coins as "balti centai" (white cents) which has a slightly negative connotation.

20 centų - 1997 release

50 centų - 1997 release

These coins are made from a gold-yellow alloy of copper, zinc, and nickel. The edges are rimmed. The coins were designed by Antanas Žukauskas with the help of Arvydas Každailis in adapting the Coat of Arms. They were released in 1997 and replaced the 10, 20, and 50 centų coins released in 1991. They bear the year in which they were produced in.

1 litas - 1998 release

2 litas - 1998 release

5 litas - 1998 release

These coins are made from a white alloy of copper and nickel; and from a gold-yellow alloy of copper, aluminium, and nickel. The coins were designed by Antanas Žukauskas with the help of Arvydas Každailis in adapting the Coat of Arms. They were released in 1998 and replaced the 1, 2, and 5 litai banknotes. The primary reason for the change was that these banknotes are short-lived because they are used in everyday trade. They are subject to wear and tear and needed to be constantly re-printed in foreign countries, while the new coins could be minted domestically at the Lithuanian Mint. They bear the year in which they were produced in. People sometimes complain that the coins are too heavy.

"Lithuanian Mint" releases 3-6 commemorative coins yearly. In addition, there are 4 circulation commemorative coins released, all in 1 litas domination. They all are from a 75% copper and 25% nickel alloy.

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Wikipedia