Abstract: A lithium cell for a lithium metal battery includes: an electrolyte material; a cathode structure arranged on one side of the electrolyte material, the cathode structure including a cathode electrode and a cathode current collector; and an anode structure arranged on an opposite side of the electrolyte material from the cathode structure. The anode structure includes: an anode current collector; a lithium metal anode arranged on a side of the anode current collector arranged facing the electrolyte material; and a protective coating deposited on a surface of the lithium metal anode and arranged facing the electrolyte material, wherein the protective coating extends beyond the lithium metal anode and onto the anode current collector so as to seal both a surface and edge regions of the lithium metal anode from contact with a liquid electrolyte of the electrolyte material.