5 centai 1922
“serie F”
Market Prices
6 salesAbout This Note
This is a 5 centai banknote from Lithuania's 1922 issue, representing an early example of independent Lithuanian currency during the interwar period. The note displays fine line engraving with ornate decorative scrollwork in dark blue on a cream background, featuring prominent corner numerals and a central heraldic medallion. In Fair condition with Series F designation, this historically significant note shows expected aging consistent with a century-old banknote while maintaining clear, sharp printing throughout.
Common. The 5 centai 1922 (Pick 9) was part of Lithuania's foundational currency release and saw significant circulation during the interwar period. While historically important as an early independent Lithuanian currency, the note was produced in substantial quantities and remains readily available to collectors. Fair condition examples are particularly common in the market and do not command premium prices.
Issued by Lietuvos Bankas (Bank of Lithuania) in 1922, this note commemorates Lithuania's independence established in 1918 following the collapse of the Russian Empire. The heraldic central medallion and elaborate ornamental design reflect early 20th-century European banknote aesthetics, while the denomination structure indicates this was part of the foundational currency system establishing the Lithuanian litas. This period represents a crucial moment when Lithuania transitioned from foreign currency to its own independent monetary system.
The 5 centai note features a classically symmetrical design typical of early 20th-century Baltic currency. The front presents a central heraldic medallion or seal, likely representing Lithuanian national symbols, surrounded by elaborate scrollwork and ornamental flourishes. Corner frames contain the numeral '5' in decorative cartouches. The reverse displays the denomination 'CENTAI' prominently in large, ornamental lettering, with similar decorative corner elements and fine-line engraved background patterns creating a wavy texture across the entire note. The color scheme uses dark blue/navy printing on a light cream/tan background, providing strong contrast and security through intricate detail work. No portraits appear on this denomination.
Front Side: 'LIETUVOS BANKAS' (Bank of Lithuania), 'PENKIS ŠIMTAI' (Five Hundred - denomination designation), 'SERIJA F' (Series F), '5' (numerical denomination). Back Side: 'LIETUVOS BANKO BANKNOTO' (Bank of Lithuania Banknote), 'CENTAI' (Centai/monetary subunits), '5' (numerical denomination), 'BANKNOTO IRBINGIAS ISTATUTINE BAUDZIAU' (legal/statutory text regarding banknote provisions).
Intaglio (line engraving) printing method, evidenced by the fine, detailed scrollwork, wavy background patterns, and ornamental line work visible throughout both sides. The sharp, precise rendering of decorative elements and the depth of detail characteristic of hand-engraved plates are consistent with security printing practices of the early 1920s. The specific printer for this Pick 9 issue is not definitively identified from the visual analysis, though Lithuanian banknotes of this period were typically produced by established European security printers.
This note is identified as Series F based on the 'SERIJA F' marking visible on the front. Lithuanian banknotes of 1922 exist in multiple series (A through F and beyond), with series designations serving as the primary variety identifier for this Pick number. The series letter appears to be the major variety distinction for this denomination; other variations would include different series letters, though specific print run data by series is not widely documented in standard catalogs.
