Lithuanian auksinas

The auksinas (derived from auksas, Lithuanian for gold) was the name of two currencies of Lithuania: silver coin minted in 1564 equal to 30 Lithuanian groschens and paper German ostmark banknotes that circulated in Lithuania in the aftermath of World War I.

The first auksinas, equivalent to the Polish złoty, was minted in 1564–65 at the Lithuanian Mint by Sigismund II Augustus. Since it was equal to 30 Lithuanian groschens, it was also known as puskapė (half-kopa). Among merchants, they are also known as taleris (from thaler) or guldenas (from gulden). The coin weighted about 27.86 grams (0.983 oz) and measured 40 millimetres (1.6 in) in diameter with silver content of about 73%. Due to the Livonian War, the coins were debased: according to the traditions, 30 groschens were equal to about 26 grams (0.92 oz) of silver, while auksinas had only about 20.47 grams (0.722 oz) of silver.

The coins had two different appearances in 1564 and 1565. On the obverse, both coins had royal monogram SA (Sigismund Augutus), year of mintage, and denomination (XXX or 30). The averse(reverse) initially had six coats of arms: Polish eagle, Lithuanian vytis, snake of Sforza (Augustus' mother), Archangel Michael of Kiev, bear of Samogitia, and cross of Volhynia. The following year the coats of arms were replaced by a bust of Sigismund Augustus.

In 1666, during the Russo-Polish War (1654–67), an experimental auksinas was minted at the Lithuanian Mint. It was a silver coin of very low quality: silver was only about 50% of its mass. It measured about 33 millimetres (1.3 in) in diameter and weighted about 6.72 grams (0.237 oz). Officially, it was worth 30 groschens, while its real value was only about 12 groschens. It was equivalent to the so-called tymf () coins minted at the Bydgoszcz Mint in 1663–66. The only difference was in the coat of arms on the reverse: instead of the coat of arms of the Commonwealth, it showed only the Lithuanian vytis. The obverse had the royal monogram ICR (Ioannes Casimirus Rex for John II Casimir Vasa) and a patriotic slogan DAT PRETIVM SERVATA SALVS POTIOR Q(am) METALLO EST (rescue of the homeland is valued more than metal), while the averse (reverse) had MONET(a) NOV(a) ARG(entea) LITVANIA(e) (new silver Lithuanian coin). This auksinas was never mass-produced and the only surviving specimen is kept by the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.

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