On 29 December 2022, the National Bank of Ukraine will introduce a new commemorative banknote of 500 hryvnias to mark the 300th anniversary of the birth of Hryhorii Skovoroda who is known as the prominent Ukrainian philosopher, theologian, poet, musician and educator.
Whilst this banknote replicates the 500-hryvnia banknote designed in 2015, it differs markedly in its front side, which represents a symbol of the celebration of the 300th anniversary of Hryhorii Skovoroda.
By issuing a new commemorative banknote, the NBU continues the celebration of the anniversary of Hryhorii Skovoroda. To commemorate the written legacy of an eminent Ukrainian philosopher, the NBU minted a silver coin "Garden of Divine Songs" on 22 November 2022.
“Hryhorii Skovoroda is a unique, extraordinary, and eminent personality whose work remains relevant throughout the ages. He thought that the main thing in life was a sense of freedom, which Ukrainians value above all things. His 300th anniversary birth celebration is one of the key cultural and art events of 2022. And not just in Ukraine. UNESCO recognized Hryhorii Skovoroda as one of the five most outstanding men in humanity distinguished for their wisdom," said Oleksii Shaban, Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine.
Description of the new commemorative banknote
The commemorative banknote replicating the 500 hryvnia banknote designed in 2015 has the following series: ГС No. 0000001–0050000.
Banknote size – 75 x 154 mm; issue numbers – 50,000 units.
The main image on the front of the note is a portrait of Hryhorii Skovoroda. The main image on the back of the note is the building of Kyiv Mohyla Academy. Skovoroda was a graduate of the Kyiv Mohyla Academy.
The banknote incorporates all of the security features.
There’s a watermark on the front of the note, which is screen printed to depict official symbols standing for the 300th anniversary of the birth of Hryhorii Skovoroda - “Skovoroda’s world”. This legend is screen printed in optically variable ink that gradually changes color when tilting a banknote (from light green to dark green).
Sales of commemorative banknotes
The banknotes can be purchased from the banks that distribute commemorative coins and souvenir products: UKRGASBANK JSB, RADABANK JSB, TASCOMBANK JSC, and CB PRIVATBANK JSC. Please contact these banks to get more information on the start of sales.
The price of the banknote in an envelope is UAH 541. The price of the banknote in souvenir packaging is UAH 554.
In 2011, to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the National Bank of Ukraine, the first commemorative banknote of 50 hryvnias was issued. In 2016, the National Bank of Ukraine presented the 20 hryvnia commemorative banknote celebrating the 160th anniversary of the birth of Ivan Franko, a prominent Ukrainian writer.
In 2021, to mark the 30th anniversary of restored Ukrainian independence, the commemorative banknotes of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 hryvnias were put into circulation with an additional feature standing for "30 years of Ukraine's Independence".