Today, the presentation of the commemorative coins, “Ukrainian Vyshyvanka”, “Liberation of Kharkiv from the Fascist Invaders” and “World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships”, which were put into circulation from 20 August till 22 August, has been held at the Money Museum of the National Bank of Ukraine.
Ms. Tamara Loshmanova, Head of the NBU Office for Numismatic Products and Marketing, has hosted the presentation ceremony. The representatives from the National Folk Decorative Art Museum and the Ukrainian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation had been invited to take part in the ceremony
Ms. Tamara Loshmanova has stressed that 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, and international programs. So far, the National Bank of Ukraine has put into circulation 600 names of commemorative coins of Ukraine. Since the start of 2013, 19 types of coins (13 names), including 9 silver coins, 9 coins made of non-precious metal (7 coins made of German silver, 2 bimetal coins) and one gold coin have been put into circulation. She has said that there is a wide sales network through which NBU numismatic products are sold. In the first seven months of 2013, the National Bank of Ukraine has sold 221 thousand pieces of commemorative coins worth UAH 30 million, including 1 thousand pieces of gold coins, 30.2 thousand pieces of silver coins and 189.7 thousand pieces of German silver coins.
"Speaking about the coins I am honored to present today, it should be noted that putting these commemorative coins into circulation is a milestone event. The National Bank of Ukraine issued the commemorative coins “Ukrainian Vyshyvanka” of 10 and 5 hryvnia face value on the eve of Independence Day as the vyshyvanka (embroidered shirt) is an embodiment of our national identity and a symbol of historic memory, beauty and welfare, soil fertility, generosity and hospitality of Ukrainian people," said Ms. Tamara Loshmanova. She has emphasized that the application of state-of-the-art technology enabled the designer to bring his idea to life. "The German silver coin was fabricated with making use of the pad printing, whereas the silver one bears a holographic image of the coloured fragment of the vyshyvanka cloth," said Ms. Tamara Loshmanova.
Ms. Valentyna Tyshchenko, a research officer at the National Folk Decorative Art Museum, has recounted the history of vyshyvanka: "Since time immemorial, it has served as a charm protecting the man from evil spirits. Every element, including the colour of threads, arrangement of figures and symbols, spacing of stitches in a pattern, and its motif bears a specific meaning and conveys the message in the art of embroidery. Modern Ukrainian embroidery has emerged in the process of spiritual evolution of the Ukrainian nation.
According to Ms. Tamara Loshmanova, the National Bank of Ukraine cultivates a respectful attitude towards history by devoting its numismatic products to the historical events, thus bringing public attention to the past of the country: "Lessons from history teach us to defend our motherland and help us determine our own destiny and seize the promise of a better future for future generations. The commemorative coins “Liberation of Kharkiv from the Fascist Invaders”of 10 and 5 hryvnia face values, which were put into circulation on 21 August 2013, are dedicated to the heroism and valour shown by the soldiers who liberated the first capital of Ukraine from the fascist invaders".
It is commonly known that in the summer of 1943 the Soviet Army defeated the German army at the Kursk Salient. As a result of the successful counteroffensive of the Soviet Army, which was the Battle of Kursk conclusion, Kharkiv was liberated from the fascist invaders on 23 August 1943. Following the months of fascist invasion, Kharkiv was left in ruins. Today, Kharkiv is a thriving city, a leading industrial and trading center of Ukraine that continues to follow development path.
On 22 August 2013, the National Bank of Ukraine put the commemorative coin “World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships” of 2 hryvnia face value into circulation. The coin is dedicated to the World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, a sports gala to be held in Ukraine that will be held in Kyiv from 27 August till 1 September 2013.
Ms. Kateryna Sorokovska, member of the Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation, has noted: "Rhythmic Gymnastics is one of the most spectacular sporting events receiving recognition all over the world. Ukraine is to host the international festival of beauty, grace and sport for the first time and we are looking forward to this gala event. 289 female gymnasts from 59 countries are to come to Kyiv to participate in the competition. Numerous fans will visit Kyiv to watch the championship. I am sure that Ukraine will succeed in hosting the championship and I hope that the desire to win, experience and traditions of the Ukrainian School of Rhythmic Gymnastics will lead our sportswomen to achieve high results in this year's competition".
The commemorative coins are available for sale at the regional branches of the National Bank of Ukraine and NBU distributors engaged in selling commemorative coins.
All the 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.