Currency of Lithuania 500 Lithuanian Litas banknote 2000
Bank of Lithuania - Lietuvos Bankas
The banknote depicted a portrait of Vincas Kudirka (1858–1899), a Lithuanian writer, participant of the national rebirth movement and author of Tautiška giesmė, the national anthem.
The back of the note showed Bell of the Freedom in the background of Nemunas loops, a well-known scenery. The bell has been inscribed in Lithuanian: "O skambink per amžius vaikams Lietuvos, kad laisvės nevertas, kas negina jos" (in English: "Thou shalt ring through the centuries to the children of Lithuania: he who does not defend freedom is not worthy of it"). This four-line poem was created by Bronius Kazys Balutis (1879–1967) and became the motto of Bell of Freedom, a newspaper published by one of the partisan groups. Also, Kudirka was one of the publishers of Varpas ("bell") newspaper to educate and inspire Lithuanians to for a nation and fight for independence during the Lithuanian national revival.
This banknote was slightly bigger than the rest (147 mm x 70 mm) and has 22 security features (other banknotes have 16-19). At first it was doubted if Lithuania needs 500 litai banknote as it was more than a minimum monthly salary. The designer of the banknote was Giedrius Jonaitis.
Banknotes of the Lithuanian litas
Bank of Lithuania - Lietuvos Bankas
1991 Issue
10 Litu 20 Litu 50 Litu 100 Litu
1993-1994 Issue
1997-2000 Issue
2001-2007 Issue