Gediminas' Cap (Lithuanian: Gedimino kepurė) was the most important regalia of the Lithuanian monarchs who ruled the Grand Duchy of Lithuania until the Union of Lublin in 1569.[1][2] During the inaugurations of Lithuanian monarchs, Gediminas' Cap was placed on the monarch's heads by the Bishop of Vilnius in Vilnius Cathedral.[1][2][3]
Its name comes from Grand Duke Gediminas (c. 1275–1341), the founder of the Gediminids dynasty and patrilineal ancestor of Lithuanian rulers from the Kęstutaičiai and Jagiellonian dynasties,[1][4][5][6] and symbolized the dynasty's continuity.[7]
The cap is mentioned in 16th-century sources and was kept in the Lithuanian state treasury.[1] It is depicted as a round unsegmented headdress in an armorial compiled for Paweł Holszański.[1] Since 1547 Gediminas' Cap was minted on Lithuanian coins above the coat of arms of Lithuania.[8]
Gediminas' Cap lost its significance following the Union of Lublin in 1569 which abolished a separate inauguration of the Lithuanian monarchs in Vilnius Cathedral.[1][2]
In the 20th century, following the Act of Independence of Lithuania, Lithuanian litas banknotes were issued with a portrait of Vytautas the Great wearing Gediminas' Cap to commemorate his 500th death anniversary in 1930.[9] In 1936, new design 10 litas coins were minted also with a portrait of Vytautas the Great wearing Gediminas' Cap.[10][11]
InauguracijaVle
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Gudavicius2006
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).1547 m. pirmą kartą monetoje panaudotas LDK herbas (raitelis, įkomponuotas į herbinį skydą) su kunigaikščio kepure virš jo.