Coins and banknotes from Lithuania. Old litas (1922 - 1941) circulated in the first Independence from Imperial Russia and New litas (1993 - 2014) which were created after the collapse of Soviet Russia when the independence was restored. Now Lithuania adopted the euro on 1 January 2015. Epic symbols on the coins: an armored knight on horseback holding a sword and shield on an escutcheon – is known as the Vytis. It is one of the oldest coats of arms in Europe formed in the 15th century.