2020-12-18 Fri

On 1st Jan 2015, Lithuania replaced its national currency, the litas, with the euro. Litas coins and banknotes were exchanged for new Euros. The old money of Lithuania had a very unique banknote.

The 10-litas banknote has been a popular one, as the face features the images of two national heroes, aviators Steponas Darius (1896 to 1933) and Stasys Girenas (1893 to 1933). The duo attempted to beat Charles Lindbergh’s nonstop distance record across the Atlantic Ocean in 1933, by attempting to fly from New York City to Kaunas, Lithuania.

Their plane left Floyd Bennett Airport in New York City headed for Kaunas on July 15, 1933. Unfortunately, it crashed over Soldin, Germany (now Mysliborz, Poland), on July 17, killing both men. The images of Darius and Girenas have been memorialized on numerous Lithuanian notes, coins, stamps, medals, and decorations.

Image Courtesy: coinworld.com