Lithuania

2019

Commemorative coin

Sutartinės (Lithuanian multipart songs)

Official Journal of the European Union

The design features linear motifs, symbolising polyphonic melodies of the unique Lithuanian heritage — folk songs sutartinės. The lines are widening and narrowing again, spinning into a swirl decorated with various miniature geometric and nature figures. The inscription of the issuing country ‘LIETUVA’, as well as the inscription ‘SUTARTINĖS’ (Lithuanian multipart songs) and the year of issuance ‘2019’ are depicted in semicircle. The mark of the Lithuanian Mint is featured as well. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Additional information

Sutartinės, polyphonic folk songs sung mainly in Upper Lithuania ("Aukštaitija"), were declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2010 (as was the polyphonic singing tradition Seto Leelo of the Estonian Setuceans in 2009). The coin shows in profile the heads of three singing women whose long hair winds clockwise as spiral lines to the edge of the pill, complemented by ornaments repeated several times, such as a stylised plant, the dome of the Lithuanian Song Festival or a Neolithic amber disc (similar to the one depicted on the 2016 commemorative coin as a symbol of Baltic culture). On the right is the knight "Vytis" from the Lithuanian coat of arms, surrounded by two oak leaves and three stylised trees, and on the left two birds flanking the issue theme "SUTARTINĖS".

Edge lettering

Designer