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10 Litų 1927, Lithuania

in Krause book Number: 23a
Years of issue: 28.04.1928
Edition: 3 000 000
Signatures: V. Jurgutis, J. Paknys, Julius Kaupas, Z. Starkus, P. Grajauskas
Serie: 1927 - 1930 Issue
Specimen of: 24.11.1927
Material: Cotton fiber
Size (mm): 130 x 75
Printer: Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company Limited, New Malden

* All pictures marked magnify are increased partially by magnifying glass, the remaining open in full size by clicking on the image.

** The word "Specimen" is present only on some of electronic pictures, in accordance with banknote images publication rules of appropriate banks.

10 Litų 1927

Description

Watermark:

Avers:

10 Litų 1927

coat

Lithuanian Coat of Arms (also known as Vytis) - the official state symbol of the independent Republic of Lithuania (the variant used from 1918 to 1940).

The coat of arms of Lithuania, consisting of an armour-clad knight on horseback holding an olden sword and shield, is also known as Vytis (pronounced [ʋiːt̪ɪs], "the Chaser"). The Lithuanian coat of arms is one of the oldest national coats of arms in Europe.

"The Coat of Arms of the State shall be a white Vytis on a red field". Heraldic shield features the field Gules (red) with an armoured knight on a horse salient Argent (white). The knight is holding in his dexter hand a sword Argent above his head. A shield Azure hangs on the sinister shoulder of the knight with a double cross Or (yellow) on it. The horse saddle, straps, and belts are Azure. The hilt of the sword and the fastening of the sheath, the stirrups, the curb bits of the bridle, the horseshoes, as well as the decoration of the harness, are Or (gold).

The blazon is the following:

Gules, a knight armed cap-à-pie mounted on a horse salient argent, brandishing a sword proper and maintaining a shield azure charged with a cross of Lorraine Or."

watermark

At the bottom - The Columns.

The Columns of Gediminas or Pillars of Gediminids are one of the earliest symbols of Lithuania and one of its historical coats of arms. They were used in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, initially as a rulers' personal insignia, a state symbol, and later as a part of heraldic signs of leading aristocracy. During the period between World War I and World War II they were used by the Lithuanian Republic as a minor state symbol, e. g. on Litas coins and military equipment.

The symbol appears in the following form: horizontal line at bottom, vertical lines extent up at both sides. The square at the middle of the horizontal line is about half as tall as the vertical lines. Another vertical line rises from the top center of the square, giving an overall appearance is close to a trident. This form is the one usually seen in modern times, often drawn on walls and fences as protest against the Soviet occupation of Lithuania.

It is notable that the ancient pre-Christian symbols of Lithuania did not follow the same strict rules of heraldry as their western counterparts. Thus this symbol was used in Or and argent, usually on the field gules, and was depicted in various shapes on flags, banners and shields.

The name "Columns of Gediminas" was given in the XIX century by historian Teodor Narbutt, who supposed that the symbol was Gediminas' insignia. The more exact name of the symbol is the Pillars of Gediminids, since there is no direct evidence of its connection with Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas.

Flower patterns.

Revers:

10 Litų 1927

Tamošaitis Tamošaitis

At that time Lithuania was famous for being an agricultural country, so the theme was also to be depicted on the new banknote. The artist considered that it would be nice to depict a real, neat Lithuanian homestead. Antanas Tamošaitis, a friend of A. Žmuidzinavičius (1906-2005), a famous painter, textile artist, and collector of that time, offered an image of his homestead in the village of Barzdai (Šakiai district) and showed his photographs. A. Žmuidzinavičius was particularly attracted to the photograph of the sow, and he decided to transfer it to the banknote. Interestingly, the photo is not accidental, it actually depicts Antanas Tamošaitis' brother Juozas with his supporters, sowing cereals, and the homestead house in the background.

At November 24, 1927 The General Council of the Bank of Lithuania approved the project of A. Žmuidzinavičius at the meeting. Contract signed with "Bradbury Wilkinson & Co", England. Initially, it was intended to print $ 3 million. notes that the English firm undertook to bring to Lithuania. The firm was paid £5,250 for the work. The most important drawings of the banknote were hand-etched steel cliches, while others were modern duplex techniques. Banknotes in circulation appeared at April 28, 1928. At the request of the Bank of Lithuania, they were printed without watermarks, so they were heavily counterfeited.

And what is the fate of the Tamošaitis brothers? Juozas, who had a large family, had to keep 50 hectares of land in the village of Beards, where he had to farm. Unfortunately, the story has taken a different turn. Lithuania was occupied, the family devastated, Antanas Tamošaitis moved to the West and lived almost all his life in Canada, and his brother was deported to Siberia. Homesteads depicted on 1927 The 10 litas banknote was also left. (www.pinigumuziejus.lt .lit)

Comments:

Designer: Antanas Žmuidzinavičius (1876-1966). At that time the artist was probably the most famous of the interwar Lithuania. It was he who received the order to design the 10 litas banknote.

In 1927-1930, in Lithuania, were issued new banknotes. New 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Litas banknotes were printed in a "Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. Ltd." A new type of banknote designs were created by famous painters: A. Galdikas, A. and V. Jomantas Žmuidzinavičius. The money represents the state, reflects the ideology of the latter, so the young Republic of Lithuania marked banknotes The National symbols of Dukes and public figures, portraits and images of major cities and coats of arms. Banknotes were portrayed the symbols that represent the spirit of the nation and national identity - the sower, Spinner, rafter, Lietuvaitė (Lithuanian) national costumes, Lithuanian folk art ornaments, small folk architecture, fabric patterns and stripes motifs. The projects of banknotes were considered and approved by the General Council of the Bank of Lithuania.