The National Bank of Ukraine has resumed meetings with numismatists and invited coin collectors from all Ukrainian regions to attend a meeting held on 25 March 2016.
NBU representatives at the meeting included NBU Deputy Governor, Mr Yakiv Smolii, Director of the NBU Cash Circulation Department, Mr Viktor Zaivenko, Director General of the NBU Banknote Printing and Minting Works, Mr Serhii Ivaniuta, and other experts from the NBU Cash Circulation Department and the NBU Banknote Printing and Minting Works. The meeting also featured representatives from distributor banks engaged in selling commemorative coins at prices set by the NBU: State Savings Bank of Ukraine JSC, CB KHRESCHATYK PJSC and Ukrgasbank JSB). About 40 representatives from the numismatic community representing 16 Ukrainian regions attended the meeting.
According to Mr Smolii, who is charge of the departments responsible for the manufacturing of numismatic products, the main purpose of the meeting is to resume a dialogue with numismatists and hear coin collectors’ proposals as to the themes of commemorative coins and mechanism for distributing and the mechanism for distributing and selling coins.
“We have initiated this meeting to discuss which way to move the NBU numismatic program forward. The feedback that we have recently received provides the new and fresh thinking that leads us to come up with new transparent distribution mechanisms for selling commemorative coins. I am confident that your expertise and knowledge in this field will help us find effective ways to address this issue,” said Mr Smolii.
During the meeting, coin collectors expressed their opinion and provided comments on the NBU numismatic program, and advised the NBU on ways to improve activities of the regulator and distributor banks.
According to coin collectors, Ukrainian coins encapsulate and reflect the history and culture of our country, while promoting Ukraine's image on the international arena.
In order to encourage the promotion of numismatic products, numismatists suggested that the NBU issue circulation coins with face values of 1, 2 and 5 hryvnias. Such coins dedicated to various themes with a high mintage could be accessed by each citizen. These coins will get the youth interested in collecting them and enhance the respect for our country.
The numismatists proposed to streamline ways in which coins are distributed among coin collectors through the creation of individual and group membership opportunities.
The meeting participants also discussed ways to place pre-orders through the NBU’s official website. Buyers will be able to collect the coins ordered through the website at the NBU’s regional representative office at their convenience.
Additionally, participants addressed issues related to the appropriateness of issuing commemorative coins dedicated to milestone events, rationalization of mintages, the continuation of certain popular coin series and the launch of new series, as well as the broadening of a product range (e.g. albums for coins, souvenir packaging boxes, etc.)
“I am glad that we have had a constructive discussion. “We have heard your thoughts, taken note of your comments in this regard, and you have heard our ideas and plans. We are set to maintain a continuous dialogue with the numismatic community. Once all the proposals are finalized, we hold the next meeting.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, the coin collectors were were treated to a tour of the manufacturing facility to see the processes involving the manufacturing of commemorative coins. They were taken on a tour of the Banknote Printing and Minting Works where coins and national decorations (tokens) are minted. While on a tour of the manufacturing facility, the coin collectors were able to a complex and high-technology manufacturing process in operation. The production process leads to the creation of numismatic masterpieces.