On 18 June 2013, the Money Museum of the National Bank of Ukraine hosted the presentation of the commemorative coin “Maternity”, dedicated to maternity, a timeless value of the humanity, a well of life, a symbol of holiness, eternity, warmth and affection.
Ms. Viktoriia Suzanska, Deputy Head of the Office for Numismatic Products and Marketing of the National Bank of Ukraine, Ms. Natalia Fandikova, coin designer, and Ms. Nuzhat Ehsan, UNFPA Representative for Ukraine and UNDP Country Director for Belarus, participated in the presentation ceremony.
The National Bank of Ukraine issues commemorative coins on different themes. The commemorative coins are devoted to outstanding personalities and events, historical monuments of Ukraine, national and international programs.
In 2012, the National Bank of Ukraine sold 1,188.1 thousand pieces of commemorative coins worth UAH 150.3 million, including 8.5 thousand pieces of gold coins, 139.0 thousand pieces of silver coins, and 1,040.6 thousand pieces of German silver coins. In 2012, the National Bank of Ukraine saw commemorative coin sales double compared to 2011. Over the first five months of 2013, 181.1 thousand pieces of commemorative coins for the amount of UAH 26.0 million have been sold, including 0.9 thousand pieces of gold coins, 23.5 thousand pieces of silver coins and156.7 thousand pieces of German silver coins.
By issuing commemorative coins, the National Bank of Ukraine seeks to draw public attention to the themes associated with Ukrainian national traditions and spiritual values of the humanity. Motherhood is one of the core themes.
“A mother is the symbol of life, holiness, eternity, warmth and all-conquering love. The mother as matriarch and domestic goddess has been worshipped by many cultures throughout human history. In the art this grand and everlasting subject is one of the oldest in the world culture. The mother keeps the spiritual hearth of the family, mankind and nation. A big mother's heart is eager to warm the whole world up with love. She is ready to give everything she has to her children, and even sacrifice her own life," noted Ms. Viktoriia Suzanska, Deputy Head of the Office for Numismatic Products and Marketing of the National Bank of Ukraine.
When working on the coin design, Ms.Natalia Fandikova wanted the coin to embody the most tender feelings that maternity triggers in people. "Maternity is associated with self-sacrifice, kindness, humanness. Mothers have been worshipped and blessed throughout human history. People call them "mother, mummy, mom, domestic goddess," said the designer.
"By issuing the commemorative coin "Maternity", the National Bank of Ukraine seeks to promote a caring attitude toward the woman-mother, emphasize her special role in our life and express gratitude to all mothers," added Ms. Viktoriia Suzanska.
Ms. Nuzhat Ehsan, UNFPA Representative for Ukraine and UNDP Country Director for Belarus, welcomed the initiative of the National Bank of Ukraine to promote maternity in Ukraine. In recent years, a lot has been done in Ukraine to improve the health and wellbeing of mothers. The United Nations Population Fund welcomes all the initiatives of the Ukrainian Government, including the launch of the new project “New Life - New Quality of Maternity and Childhood", which is being implemented under the auspices of the President of Ukraine.
According to Ms. Nuzhat Ehsan, the United Nations Population Fund promotes the right of all women (especially mothers), men and children to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. Ms. Nuzhat Ehsan has said that "the woman's role as a mother cannot be underestimated". She expressed hope that the joint efforts will lead to happier Ukrainian mothers and more prosperous families.
For reference.
The commemorative coin "Maternity" of 5 hryvnias was put into circulation on 18 June 2013. The coin has been made of silver, quality – “proof”, weight in fineness – 15.55 g, diameter – 33.0 mm, mintage – 10, 000 pieces. The coin edge is smooth with incised legends: Ag 925 (metal and fineness), 15.55 (weight in fineness), NBU Mint mark.
Obverse: above there are the Small Coat of Arms of Ukraine and the semicircular inscription НАЦІОНАЛЬНИЙ БАНК УКРАЇНИ (National Bank of Ukraine); in the center there is depicted a baby carriage (carrycot) as a symbol of childhood and life immortality; thereunder are the coin issue year indication 2013 and the semicircular face value П’ЯТЬ ГРИВЕНЬ (five hryvnias).
Reverse: bears a conventionalized image of the Mother holding the Baby in her arms and the bow-shaped legend МАТЕРИНСТВО (maternity). The Mother’s image is full of warmth, motherliness, care and affection.
Designer – Nataliia Fandikova.
Engravers: Anatolii Demianenko, Sviatoslav Ivanenko.
The commemorative coin “Maternity" is priced at UAH 415 per piece (packaged in a case). It is available for sale at the regional branches of the National Bank of Ukraine and NBU distributors engaged in selling commemorative coins.
The commemorative coin is a legal tender of Ukraine and shall be accepted without any restrictions at its face value for all types of payments as well as for placing to the settlement accounts, on deposits, for letters of credit and transfers.