| Obverse description |
The obverse field is divided diagonally into two contrasting zones: a frosted upper half bearing the Vytis (the armoured knight on horseback, the national arms of Lithuania), facing right with sword raised and shield displaying a double cross, and a mirrored lower half depicting facsimile inscriptions referencing key milestones of the Lithuanian national revival, including the word 'AUSZRA' (the first Lithuanian-language newspaper), 'LIETUVIŲ MOKSLO DRAUGIJA', 'Vilnius', and a passage from the Act of Independence of Lithuania ('LIETUVOS TARYBA skelbia Lietuvos nepriklausomybę'). The legend 'LIETUVA' arcs along the upper left, '2001' is inscribed at the top centre, and '50 LITŲ' appears along the upper right. The mint mark 'LMK' is positioned at the lower centre of the field. |
| Reverse description |
The reverse presents a bold, high-relief portrait bust of Jonas Basanavičius, the prominent Lithuanian physician, patriot, and national awakener, depicted in right-facing profile with deeply modelled facial features, flowing hair, and a full beard, rendered in a sculptural matte finish against a highly polished mirror field. To the left of the effigy, a facsimile of Basanavičius's cursive signature is incised into the reflective field, accompanied by a quill pen motif. The dates '1851–1927', denoting his birth and death years, are inscribed vertically in the left field. |
