Lithuania 5 Euro 2021 - Eglė the Queen of Serpents

Lithuania 5 Euro 2021 – Eglė, Queen of Serpents is a beautifully detailed silver collector coin dedicated to one of the best-known Lithuanian fairy tales, “Eglė – Queen of Serpents”. The coin is the first release in the Lithuanian Mint series Tales from My Childhood and combines Lithuanian folklore, symbolism and contemporary artistic techniques. The story of Eglė and the serpent Žilvinas is one of the most distinctive Lithuanian legends, traditionally associated with themes of love, transformation, family, betrayal and tragedy.

The obverse is designed as an embroidered or knitted composition, creating the atmosphere of a quiet evening when traditional fairy tales are told. Small stars and the Moon reinforce the nocturnal mood, with the first coin of the series beginning with the image of a new moon. Within the textile-like pattern, the principal elements of the fairy tale are represented symbolically, while a silhouette of the Lithuanian coat of arms, the Vytis, appears below. The inscription LIETUVA is incorporated into the composition as if embroidered with thread, accompanied by the denomination 5 € and the year 2021. The textile motif was conceived as a recurring visual element of the series, developing from coin to coin.

The reverse presents the dramatic confrontation between Eglė and the serpent Žilvinas. Eglė’s long hair flows into stylised sea waves, rendered with white and red foam, creating a strong visual connection between the heroine and the water world of the tale. The serpent occupies the centre of the composition, and its body is covered with symbolic pictograms that narrate episodes and motifs from the story. Silhouettes of trees appear in the background, referring to the tragic fate of Eglė’s children, who according to the legend were transformed into trees. The fairy-tale title “Eglė – žalčių karalienė” is incorporated directly into the design.

A particularly distinctive feature of this collector coin is the combination of Proof striking, relief and colour applied by UV printing. Selected raised elements of the silver composition are coloured, giving the folkloric imagery additional depth and making the contrast between the polished, frosted and coloured areas especially expressive. The coin was designed by Eglė Ratkutė-Žemaitė on the obverse, while the reverse was created by Eglė Ratkutė-Žemaitė together with Vilius Krasnickas. The edge carries a line from the fairy tale: “JEI TU GYVAS, ATPLAUK PIENO PUTA, JEI NEGYVAS – KRAUJO PUTA”, separated by a spruce symbol.

Specifications:

• Country: Lithuania
• Denomination: 5 Euro
• Year: 2021
• Theme: Eglė – Queen of Serpents
• Series: Tales from My Childhood
• Quality: Proof
• Metal: Silver Ag 925
• Weight: 12.44 g
• Diameter: 28.70 mm
• Edge: Inscribed edge with the quotation from the fairy tale and spruce-symbol dividers
• Design: Eglė Ratkutė-Žemaitė (obverse); Eglė Ratkutė-Žemaitė and Vilius Krasnickas (reverse)
• Mintage: 2,750 pieces
• Issue date: 24 November 2021
• Mint: Lithuanian Mint
• Special features: Colour applied to selected embossed elements using UV printing

Package includes: Lithuania 5 Euro 2021 “Eglė – Queen of Serpents” silver collector coin in Proof quality, as supplied in its original collector presentation packaging with accompanying certificate.