5 litai 1929

Common. While this is a commemorative issue with historical significance, eBay market data shows consistent sales activity across multiple condition grades (VG: $20-43, F: $42-69, VF: $150-220 in recent transactions), indicating adequate supply in the collector market. The note circulated during the 1929-1940 period before Lithuania's occupation, and surviving examples are readily available to collectors. The print run was substantial enough to ensure current availability without scarcity premiums.

Issued on 24 June 1929 by Lietuvos Bankas, this note commemorates the 500th anniversary of Vytautas the Great (1430-1930), the Grand Duke who expanded the Grand Duchy of Lithuania to its greatest territorial extent in the 15th century. The reverse depicts a medieval military scene with warriors and horses, reflecting the martial prowess of Vytautas's era, while the portrait medallions honor this pivotal historical figure and Lithuanian independence during the interwar period.

The obverse features two profile portrait medallions in ornate circular frames positioned left and right, depicting Grand Duke Vytautas the Great in classical commemorative style. The center displays an elaborate scrollwork cartouche containing the denomination and issuer information arranged in arched banners. The reverse showcases a complex historical scene engraved within a large oval medallion, depicting medieval warriors, cavalry, and nobility in period dress engaged in military or ceremonial activity, with fortifications or architectural elements visible in the distant landscape. Both sides feature extensive geometric guilloche patterns and ornamental corner designs in the decorative border frame. The color scheme is a warm brown and tan palette on aged cream paper, typical of early 20th-century banknote production.

Front side: 'LIETUVOS BANKAS' (Bank of Lithuania), 'PENKI LITAI' (Five litai), denomination '5', serial number 'A088.493'. Back side: 'LIETUVOS BANKO BANKNOTAS' (Bank of Lithuania banknote), 'PENKI LITAI' (Five litai), denomination '5', 'BANKNOTU PADIRBIMAS STATYMU BAUDZIAMAS' (Counterfeiting of banknotes is legally punishable).

Intaglio engraving (recess printing), the standard security method for banknotes of this era. The fine line work, decorative guilloche patterns, and complex historical scene demonstrate high-quality European banknote engraving typical of Lithuanian currency produced by established security printers of the 1920s-1930s period. The depth of impression and detail preservation visible in the VF specimen indicates professional die-struck production.

This specimen is identified as Pick-26 (base number), with PMG cataloging one known variant as P-26a. The serial number A088.493 visible on the obverse indicates a standard series prefix. No overprints, color variants, or signature varieties are apparent in this example. Further attribution would require consultation of specialized Lithuanian banknote catalogs to determine if this represents the primary or variant issue.