On February 17, 2014, the National Bank of Ukraine puts the “Korsun-Shevchenkovsky Offensive” commemorative coins of 20 and 5 hryvnia face values into circulation.

The coins have been issued on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of liberation of Ukraine from the fascist invaders. Starting from 2013, the National Bank of Ukraine has put into circulation 10 commemorative coins devoted to the Great Patriotic War. In 2014 and 2015, the National Bank of Ukraine is set to continue this coin series.

“The  Korsun-Shevchenkovsky offensive is a glorious page in the Soviet military history, which came to be seen as a conventional military operation to encircle and destroy the largest concentration of enemy forces. As a result of this military operation, the Korsun-Shevchenkovsky region was liberated from the invaders.  The Korsun-Shevchenkovsky offensive became a “second Stalingrad” for the Nazi fascists,” noted Head of Numismatic Production and Marketing Department of the National Bank of Ukraine Tamara Loshmanova.

She has said that the obverse of the coin bears the composition symbolizing the victory: the figures 1944 (gilded on the silver coin) with the image of fireworks above and a laurel wreath, ribbon and star below. The reverse of the coin features a conventionalized composition in the centre whereof there is an image of the gateway to the palace complex in the town of Korsun-Shevchenkovsky against the backdrop of the map and circumferential arrows symbolizing an offensive operation carried out by the Soviet troops that merged together to form a ring encircling the enemy forces.

“By issuing the “Korsun-Shevchenkovsky Offensive” commemorative coins, the National Bank of Ukraine honours the memory of the heroes who liberated Ukrainian lands from the fascist invaders. I feel confident that these commemorative coins will remind future generations of heroic deeds, courage and patriotism shown by the people during the Great Patriotic War,” added Ms Tamara Loshmanova.

The coin of 20 hryvia face value is made from silver with a fineness of 925, weight in fineness – 62.2 G, diameter – 50.0 mm, quality − “special uncirculated”, mintage – 2,500 pieces. The coin edge is with incised legends: the indication of metal and its weight in fineness. Decoration element – local gilding (gold content not less than 0. 0005 g).

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

The silver coin packaged in a presentation case is priced at UAH 945, the coin made from German silver – UAH 25. The “Korsun-Shevchenkovsky Offensive” commemorative coins are available for sale at the  regional branches of the National Bank of Ukraine and the National Bank of Ukraine’s distributors selling commemorative coins.

The coins have been created by Volodymyr Taran, Oleksandr Kharuk, Serhii Kharuk, and Nataliia Fandikova (designers), and Volodymyr Atamanchuk and Anatolii Demianenko (engravers).

For reference

From 24 January until 17 February 1944, the troops of the First and Second Ukrainian Fronts carried out an offensive operation near the town of Korsun-Shevchenkovsky, Cherkasy Oblast, which created conditions for the Red Army to liberate the Right-bank Ukraine.

Having broken through the enemy defensive line, on 28 January the Soviet troops merged together near the town of Zvenyhorodka to form a ring encircling the enemy forces. Overall, the Soviet troops encircled 10 German divisions and 1 brigade. By 17 February, the enemy had been destroyed. In addition, the Red Army defeated 15 more divisions, including 8 tank divisions, which fought against the external ring of encirclement.

Today, numerous monuments and memorials in Cherkashchyna remind us of a heroic victory at the Battle of Korsun-Shevchenkovsky. A large ring made of reinforced concrete symbolizing the encirclement of the fascist forces was erected near the village of Stebliv. The city of Korsun-Shevchenkovsky has a museum dedicated to the history of the Korsun-Shevchenkivsky Battle, which showcases a diorama of the battle, documents, weapons and military hardware.