On 26 October 2012, Ms. Vira Rychakivska, Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, presented a new commemorative coin “Ukrainian Lyric Song” at the NBU Money Museum. The commemorative coins of 10 and 5 hryvnia face value are to be put into circulation on 29 October 2012.

“It is a great honour for me to present the coin that appears to be unique among other commemorative coins. First and foremost, it is the application of new minting technology such as enamel that makes the coin of 10 hryvnia face value unique. For this reason, the extraordinary coin comes first in this series of coins,” noted Ms. Vira Rychakivska.

According to Ms. Vira Rychakivska, next year the National Bank of Ukraine will continue issuing commemorative coins from the “Heritage” series. “Our numismatists and citizens who are interested in this subject will have an opportunity to buy such a wonderful coin. Some people will purchase it for their collection or as a present, while others will buy it for their own pleasure as commemorative coins prove to be valuable when kept in a conspicuous place as family heirlooms,” said Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine Vira Rychakivska.

Ms. Tamara Loshmanova, Head of the Office for Numismatic Products and Marketing said that the National Bank of Ukraine had put 550 names of commemorative coins into circulation so far. In the first nine months of 2012, there were sold 908 thousand pieces of commemorative coins worth UAH 118 million, including 8 thousand pieces of gold coins, 97 thousand pieces of silver coins, 803 thousand pieces of German silver coins, which is 1.5 times more than in 2011.

By the end of 2012 the National Bank of Ukraine will have put 8 more commemorative coins into circulation, including 2 coins dedicated to Mykolaiv oblast and Zhytomyr oblast, coin “International Year of the Bat” (Ukraine has joined the international Bat Conservation program). Given the popularity of the coin "Year of the Snake" from the series "Oriental Calendar", this coin will be issued with a mintage volume of 25 thousand pieces.

The commemorative coin of 10 hryvnia face value (packaged in a presentation case) will be sold at the price of UAH 600. The selling price of the commemorative coin of 5 hryvnia face value stands at UAH 20. The commemorative coins will be sold through the regional branches of the National Bank of Ukraine and NBU’s distributors engaged in selling commemorative coins. The National Bank of Ukraine has concluded distribution agreements with eight Ukrainian banks: JSC State Savings Bank of Ukraine,PJSC Raiffeisen Bank Aval JSC, PJSC Bank Finance and Credit, PJSC CB Khreschatyk, JSC IMEXBANK, PJSC OKCI BANK, PJSC BANK FORUM and PJSC CB Daniel. These banks sell 60% of the total volume of commemorative coin issuance at the prices set by the National Bank of Ukraine.

It should be mentioned that commemorative coins are a legal tender of Ukraine and shall be accepted without any restrictions at their face values for all types of payments as well as for placing to the settlement accounts, on deposits, for letters of credit and transfers.

Regarding bullion coins, they were put into circulation by the National Bank of Ukraine at the end of 2011 in order to satisfy the needs of a wide range of investors. As of today, 30.8 thousand pieces of bullion coins have been produced. In the first nine months of 2012, 11.6 thousand pieces of bullion coins were sold, including 4.1 thousand pieces of gold bullion coins in the amount of UAH 31.4 million and 7.5 thousand pieces of silver bullion coins in the amount of UAH 2.5 million.

The National Bank of Ukraine has ramped up sales of bullion coins significantly, in particular, by broadening the distribution channels. This refers to the NBU regional branches selling coins directly to the public.

For reference:

The coin of 10 hryvnia face value is made of silver, quality – “ Special uncirculated”, weight in fineness – 31.1 g, diameter – 38.6 mm, mintage – 5 000 pieces. Edge – Smooth with in-depth legends: Ag 925 (metal and fineness), 31.1 (weight in fineness), NBU Mint logo. Decoration element – coloured enamel.

The coin of 5 hryvnia face value is made of German silver, quality – “special uncirculated”, weight – 16.54 g, diameter – 35.0 mm, mintage – 30 000 pieces. Edge – grooved.

Obverse: above there is the Small Coat of Arms of Ukraine with the semicircular inscription НАЦІОНАЛЬНИЙ БАНК УКРАЇНИ (National Bank of Ukraine); thereunder is depicted a periwinkle flower wreath with ribbons, in the centre whereof are the coin face value 10/ГРИВЕНЬ (10/hryvnias) on the silver coin or 5/ГРИВЕНЬ (5/hryvnias) on the German silver coin and the coin issue year indication 2012. On the latter coin to the left of the wreath, over the ribbons, there is the National Bank of Ukraine Mint logo.

Reverse: within a conventionalized circle of small countryside houses, fences and flowers, against the dark background, there are depicted a girl with a shoulder-yoke and a young man; along the coin edge, against the light background, there are conventionalized periwinkle flowers; below there is the legend УКРАЇНСЬКА/ЛІРИЧНА ПІСНЯ (Ukrainian/Lyric Song).

Designers: Volodymyr Taran, Oleksandr Kharuk, Serhii Kharuk. Engravers: Volodymyr Demianenko, Sviatoslav Ivanenko.