Lithuania - Travel/Philately/Numismatics/Memorabilia Profile

Lithuania, a country in Northern Europe bordered by Latvia, Belarus, Poland, Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, and the Baltic Sea has a total land area of 25,174 square miles and a population of around 3.3 Million. Lithuania, classified as having high average income, has a well-developed modern infrastructure for transportation. Even though it scores the highest among the Baltic states in the quality of life index, its homicide and suicide rate is very high. The emerging sectors of its economy are biotechnology, laser equipment, and various engineering divisions as there are special incentives for investments in these sectors.

Travel Resources: 

The best time to visit Lithuania is from June through August. With plenty of lakes, rivers, beaches, and forests Lithuania has plenty of natural beauty on offer. It is also the official center of Europe. The major attractions are the Gediminas Castle, Vilnius Cathedral, Europos Park, Jewish Memorial and so on. Lithuanian cuisine is popular and is based on potato, cheese, meat, bread and fish.

Resource	ISBN or ASIN	Best Price	Description
Lithuania Bradt Travel Guide	978-1841622286	$23	The best available guidebook to the country! Attractions covered include atmospheric hill of crosses at Siauliai, seaside town of Palanga, provincial town of Kaunas, and the Curonian Spit National Park.
The Reconstruction of Nations: Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, 1569-1999 by Yale University Press	978-0300105865	$17	The George Louis Beer and Eastern Review prize winning book analyzes the evolution of the nations in Eastern Europe through the last four centuries. Leaves the reader with an excellent understanding of that part of the world.
Lithuania Michelin National Maps	978-2067128453	$7	1:300,000 Scale. City Map Insets with Driving Times and Distances.
Lithuania Grounded Adapter Plug – GUB	B001FDC70W	$8

Philatelic Profile:

The first stamps of Lithuania were a set of two stamps released on December 27, 1918 showing Numerals in a simple unwatermarked typeset. The set (Scott #1 to #2) catalogs for around $200. A variety consisting of a set of six stamps (Scott #3 to #8) in more denominations were released on December 31, 1918 and that catalogs for around $150 mint and a little less for used. A few other sets in the same designs were released until March 1919. Lithuania was a part of the Russian empire from the late 18th century to 1918. During World War I, the Council of Lithuania declared independence on February 16, 1918.

Lithuania released a set of eleven stamps on February 16, 1920 to mark the second anniversary of Independence. The set (Scott #70 to #80) catalogs for around $30 MNH and around half that for used. The designs show allegory of Lithuania receiving benediction, Allegory showing the spirit of Lithuania Rising, Allegory of Lithuania with chains broken, and white knight.

Other issues of Lithuania enjoying good philatelic interest include:

1. A long set of fourteen stamps released on February 16, 1930 to mark the fifth centenary of the death of the Grand Duke Vytautas. The set (Scott #242 to #255) catalogs for around $80 MNH and around half that for used. Vytautas was the ruler of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania between 1392 and 1430. During his reign, Lithuania became the largest country in Europe and the territory included Belarus, Ukraine, and parts of Poland and Russia. Today, he is revered as a national hero.
2. A set of three stamps released in 1934 to mark the sixtieth birthday of President Antanas Smetona. The set (Scott #283 to #285) catalogs for around $20 MNH and under a dollar for used. The designs show a portrait of the President in different colors. Smetona was the first President of Lithuania from 1919 to 1920 and also served as President from 1926 to 1940. He was forced into exile following Soviet occupation. Lithuania became part of the Soviet Union following World War II until it became the first Soviet republic entity to proclaim independence on March 11, 1990.
3. A set of four stamps released on October 7, 1990 showing Angel and Map. The set (Scott #371 to #374) is inexpensive and catalogs for around $2 MNH or used. This was the first set of stamps released after it became independent from the Soviet Union.
4. A stamp along with a souvenir sheet of three released on September 15, 2001 in the Baltic Coast Landscapes theme. The set (Scott #698 and #699a-c) catalogs for around $5 MNH or used. The designs show Palanga, Lahemaa, and Vidzeme. Lithuania features an eclectic landscape smoothed by glaciers and consists of numerous lakes, wetlands, and mixed forest zone that covers about one-third of the country.

Numismatic Profile:

The first coins of Lithuania were coins of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania during the period from the 12th century to 1707 AD. Republican Era Standard Coinage (100 Centas = 1 Litas) debut in 1925 with the introduction of an Aluminum-Bronze Centas showing National Arms in Obverse and Value within circle diving stem of flowers in Reverse. The issue has high mintage (5M) but still catalogs in the $35 range for UNC. Lithuania has issued a few gold coins over the years starting with the 75th Anniversary of the Bank of Lithuania commemorative issue of 1997. Certain miniature gold coins were also issued.

Numismatic items of Lithuania include:

Item	Price Range	Description
Coins	$2 and up	Common Centas from the 1990s onward in UNC start around $2. 17th century silver coins in VF, Recent Sets in UNC, Early Sets in VF, etc start around $20. Sigismund Era coins (15th century and prior dates) in VF, Commemorative Silver Coins of the 1930s in AU, etc start around $50. Mint Silver Proofs, Gold Coins, Low Mintage Medieval Issues in VF etc start into the 100s. Gold Proofs and Mint Silver Sets go well into the 100s and 1000s.
Paper Money	$2 and up	Common UNCs from the 1990s onward starts around $2. Recent High Values in UNC, WW Occupation Issues in VF, etc start around $15. Bundles, Full Year Sets, and certain rare large notes start around $50. Rare Replacements, Low Serial Numbers, High Value Bundles, etc go well into the 100s.

Collectible Memorabilia:

Amber jewelry, linen tablecloths, napkins, clothes, and liqueurs are very popular among visitors.

Resource	Price Range	Description
Antiques	$10 and up	19th century maps start around $10 and go into the hundreds for 18th century and prior maps.
Art	$10 and up	Ex-libris art samples start around $10. Posters by Augius, Zilius, Urabitis etc start around $50. Original works by Arunas Miliukas, Adomas Galdikas, V. Kristolaitis, Arbit Blatas, Adomas Varnas, etc go well into the 100s and 1000s.
Miscellaneous Collectibles	$5 and up	Beer coasters, coat of arms bumpers stickers etc start around $5. Council badges and other military badges and medals start around $30. WW commemoration medals, 17th century brass seals, Grand Duke Gediminas Order medals etc start around $100 and go well into the 100s and 1000s.

Last Updated: 12/2015.