The “Oh the Guelder-Rose in the Meadow” commemorative coins were presented at the National Bank of Ukraine today, on 18 July 2022. These are some of the first coins to be issued into circulation by the NBU in wartime. They celebrate a Ukrainian song, which, after Russia’s treacherous attack on Ukraine, is now sung with renewed vigor as a modern symbol of Ukraine’s resistance to Russian invasion.
The coins were presented by Deputy NBU Governor Oleksii Shaban and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Colonel General Mykola Balan. The presentation was also attended by representatives of the Model Orchestra of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who performed the musical composition “Oh, the Guelder-Rose in the Meadow”.
“Since the outbreak of the war, the song ‘Oh, the Guelder-Rose in the Meadow’ has become a Ukrainian symbol for indomitability, and a hymn of courageous resistance to the enemy,” said Shaban. “The song has also risen to international fame. The essence of this song is still as relevant today as it was hundreds years ago – fighting with the Moscow authorities for Ukraine’s independence. Therefore, as a sign of deep respect and gratitude to Ukrainian defenders, and seeking to immortalize in coins the historical struggle of Ukrainians for independence, we are proud to issue these new commemorative coins into circulation.”
He added that honoring and supporting the defenders of Ukraine has always been high on the NBU’s agenda. On the first day of war, the NBU opened a special account to collect funds to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Money has been coming in from people and businesses in Ukraine, and from the international community. Over the nearly five months that have elapsed since the war started, the NBU has transferred almost UAH 18 billion sent to that account to support the army.
“Ukrainian defense forces constantly feel and greatly appreciate the support of our people, and all of the country’s institutions, companies, and organizations,” said Balan. “We’re also grateful to partner countries and the international community as a whole for their active support. This war has, among other things, demonstrated our unity, our ability to unite in the face of challenges, and the fortitude and indomitability of Ukrainians. I know that our rebel ancestors would not be ashamed of us. And I believe that we will ‘cheer up our Ukraine.’’’
The “Oh the Guelder-Rose in the Meadow” commemorative coins continue the My Immortal Ukraine series. They were designed by Kyiv designer Dmytro Kryvonos. The obverse depicts the following: in the center, there is a stylized symbolic composition: different generations of defenders: a Cossack, a Sich rifleman, and a modern soldier of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are raising a guelder-rose – a poeticized symbol of Ukraine, the crown of which resembles the outlines of Ukraine’s borders. The reverse of the coins, in the center, depicts a branch with guelder-rose leaf and berries.
The coins can be purchased from distributing banks for commemorative coins and souvenir products: UKRGASBANK, RADABANK, TASCOMBANK, and PrivatBank.
These commemorative coins were presented with support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), in partnership with the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), and the (the U.K. Government’s Good Governance Fund).
The NBU issued these coins into circulation on 18 July 2022.
The 10 hryvnia coin is made of silver (Ag 925) in proof quality. It has a fine weight of 31.1 g, a diameter of 38.6 mm, and a mintage of up to 5,000 units (including up to 2,500 units in 2022).
The 5 hryvnia coin is made of nickel silver in special uncirculated quality. It has a weight of 16.5 g, a diameter of 35.0 mm, and a mintage of up to 250,000 units (including up to 75,000 in 2022 in souvenir packaging).
Designer – Dmytro Kryvonos. Engravers – Sviatoslav Ivanenko, Volodymyr Atamanchuk.