On the eve of International Volunteer Day, Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine Andriy Pyshnyy presented a new commemorative coin entitled “The Country of Superheroes. We Thank Our Volunteers!” This coin celebrates Ukrainian volunteers who donate money, organize fundraisers, purchase and deliver equipment, gear, food, medicines, and seek, and find ways to address the most pressing needs of Ukraine’s defenders.
“From the very beginning of the war, every Ukrainian has been involved in volunteering in one way or another,” said Pyshnyy. “This activity is so deeply embedded in Ukrainians’ DNA that one can say with confidence that Ukrainians are a nation of volunteers. Therefore, with this new commemorative coin we express our gratitude to the volunteers who have helped and continue to help the military.”
At the presentation, Pyshnyy presented these commemorative coins to Tata Kepler, a volunteer and the leader of the Birds Project. In 2022, Kepler received the National Legend of Ukraine Award from the President of Ukraine. After that, the NBU team joined the volunteers and helped equip the tactical first-aid military kits.
"Volunteering is a huge support for Ukrainian defenders,” said Kepler. “Even a small contribution is important and can save someone’s life. Together, people can make miracles happen, and our soldiers appreciate it greatly.”
The main motif of the design of this commemorative coin is based on the weaving of a camouflage net. “The obverse of the coin depicts symbolic hands that are weaving a camouflage net,” said Pyshnyy. “It is not clear whether these hands belong to a man, woman, or a child. But this doesn’t matter. After all, everyone has woven their ribbon into a symbolic camouflage net, which stands for our joint actions and solidarity – to be near one other, and to contribute to a common cause with our own hands for the sake of someone and for the sake of everyone.”
This commemorative coin will go on sale from 6 December 2023 through the NBU’s online numismatic store. Overall, the NBU plans to sell 25,000 of these commemorative coins through its online store, with 10,000 of them being available from the day they go on sale.
In addition, more of these coins will be gradually sold by distributing banks (UKRGASBANK JSB, RADABANK JSB, TASCOMBANK JSC, and CB PRIVATBANK JSC), as they are delivered from the NBU’s Banknote Printing and Minting Works. You can find more details about the starting date of sale and points of sale on the official websites of the distributing banks.
The coin entitled “The Country of Superheroes. We Thank Our Volunteers,” which continues the My Immortal Ukraine Series, was issued into circulation on 4 December 2023.
The 5-hryvnia coin is made of nickel silver in special uncirculated quality. It has a weight of 16.5 g, and a diameter of 35.0 mm. The coin’s edge is grooved. Mintage – up to 50,000 units.
The obverse features, in the center against a smooth background, a stylized image of hands weaving a camouflage net, which symbolizes the meaning of volunteerism as a form of assistance and comprehensive support and stand for the nation's strength and unity in times of extreme hardship.
The reverse depicts a stylized map of Ukraine in the form of a camouflage net as a symbol of a united Ukraine that is "intertwined" and is united to achieve a common goal.
The coin was designed by Oleksandr Reznikov, a young artist who studies at the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture, and who was an intern at the NBU last summer. Engraver – Volodymyr Atamanchuk.