Czeslaw Slania's Engraved Banknotes 
for Lithuania

Apart from stamps Czeslaw Slania has also engraved the below two banknotes for Lithuania.  Both banknotes are still valid currency in Lithuania. 

• 1994.  Banknote of 1 Litas.  The portrait on the banknote shows Julija Zemaite (1845-1921), a Lithuanian author of the same reputation as Selma Lagerlöf in Sweden.  Mrs. Zemaite has been featured on a large number of stamps, both in her native Lithuania and in Russia.  

• 1994.  Reverse side of the same banknote, showing traditional buildings in the rural districts. 

• 1993.  Banknote of 2 Litai.  The portrait on the banknote shows Motiejus [Matthew] Valancius (1801-1875).  He was born in Kretinga on 28th February 1801 and was one of the most famous Lithuanians of the 19th century.  He was bishop of Vilnius 1840-1842, and later in St. Petersburg 1842-1845.  He opposed strongly the Czarist Government's decision to prohibit Lithuanian language and established therefore Lithuanian schools and published books in Lithuanian language.  Having supported the uprising in 1863 against the Russian Czar, he was persecuted on 29th May 1875 in Kaunas. 

• 1993.  Reverse side of the same banknote, showing an aerial view of the Trakai Castle in Lithuania.

Many thanks to Mr. Virgis Jaras (Lithuania) for providing the explanatory notes about the 2-litai banknote.