Rare coins of Ukraine: from the Cossack era to the NBU

Coins of Kyivan Rus: srebrnyky and zlatnyky

The first own coins on the territory of Ukraine were minted during the time of Kyivan Rus, in the 10th–11th centuries. These are zlatnyky (gold) and srebrnyky (silver) — coins minted during the reigns of Volodymyr the Great, Svyatopolk, and Yaroslav the Wise. They are one of the greatest numismatic rarities of the Slavic world.

About 340 silver coins and only 11 confirmed gold coins are known. They are kept mainly in state museums of Russia and Ukraine and in large private collections. Such coins appear extremely rarely on the open market, and their price reaches millions of dollars.

Why so few? Coin minting in Kievan Rus lasted relatively short (several decades) and, probably, coins were used not so much as a means of payment as a symbol of statehood and diplomatic gifts.

Coins of the Cossack era and the Hetmanate

Individual coin minting in Ukrainian lands during the Cossack era was limited. Polish, Lithuanian, Turkish and Muscovite coins were mainly used. However, there are several interesting categories for Ukrainian numismatists.

Coins of Bohdan Khmelnytsky

A number of researchers attribute some coins of the first half of the 17th century to the minting of the Hetmanate. Although the question of the authorship of many coins remains debatable in scientific circles, such coins with documentary provenance have considerable value.

Polish-Lithuanian coins in Ukrainian lands

Poltoraks, shillings, solidus, orts - coins of the 16th–17th centuries of the Polish-Lithuanian era, which were actively used in Right-Bank Ukraine. Some rare variants from specific mints are highly valued by experts.

Coins of the UNR and the Soviet era

Coins of the Ukrainian People's Republic (1918)

The UNR managed to issue several denominations of coins - shagi with the image of a trident and wheat. These coins were minted in 1918 and were in circulation for a very short time due to the turbulent course of events. Today, high-quality specimens are a real rarity, costing from several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the condition and variety.

Soviet coins related to Ukraine

The USSR did not mint separate "Ukrainian" coins, however, some coins of the Ukrainian SSR and all-Union coins have interesting numismatic features. Rare varieties of copper-nickel coins from 1947 and 1958 (the so-called "unapproved" coins that entered circulation in small quantities) are worth thousands of dollars today.

Modern rare coins of Ukraine (NBU)

The National Bank of Ukraine has been actively minting commemorative and investment coins since 1995. Over the years of independence, more than 600 different coins have been issued, and some of them have become real numismatic rarities.

NBU gold coins of small circulation

NBU gold commemorative coins, especially early series (1995–2000) with a circulation of 100–500 pieces, are today worth several times more than their face value and initial selling price. Coins from the series "Scythian Gold", "Architectural Monuments" and "Outstanding Personalities" are among the most sought-after among collectors.

The first coins of independent Ukraine

The first commemorative coins of the NBU (1995–1996) are especially valued, as they opened a new page in Ukrainian numismatics. The 1996 Oranta coin, Mykhailo Hrushevskyi and other first issues are desirable items for collectors.

Precious serial coins

Coins of the series "Flora and Fauna of Ukraine", "Dishes of National Cuisine", "Defenders of Ukraine" in gold and silver with a circulation of up to 300 pieces are another promising direction for investment.