Name of the monetary unit

The name of the monetary unit the kuna comes from the Croatian word for marten, an animal living in the Croatian woods, whose pelts were used as a means of trade, that is, functioned as money.

A decision had to be made on an appropriate name for the hundredth part of the kuna. As the name the kuna derives from the animal world, a counterpart was sought for it in the plant world. A proposal was given for the name the lipa (linden), which is very easy to pronounce and has its origins in the traditions of Croatian folklore, literature and history.

Motifs on the obverse and reverse of coins

The denomination numeral on the obverse of the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 lipa coins is displayed against a background in the form a blooming linden branch and on 1, 2, and 5 kuna coins this background is formed as an image of a running marten. The currency name is positioned below the denomination numeral and the background.

The reverse of all kuna and lipa denominations features a motif of a plant species (on lipa coins) or an animal species (on kuna coins) living in Croatia next to the minting year.

1 lipa CORN STALK
2 lipa VINE BRANCH
5 lipa COMMON OAK BRANCH
10 lipa TOBACCO PLANT
20 lipa OLIVE BRANCH
50 lipa VELEBIT DEGENIA
1 kuna NIGHTINGALE
2 kuna TUNA
5 kuna BROWN BEAR

The names of the plants and animals are in Croatian on the coins issued in odd years (since 1993) and in Latin on the coins issued in even years (since 1994).

Commemorative 25 kuna circulation coin

The first commemorative 25 kuna circulation coin issue was released by the Croatian National Bank in 1997, and was followed by sixteen issues released into circulation to date to mark events of special importance for the Republic of Croatia.

Authors of the design concept for kuna coins

The design concept for kuna and lipa circulation coins is by Kuzma Kovačić and the 25 kuna design concept is the work of Damir Mataušić.