Two Ukrainian coins compete for Coin of the Year award
Photo source: National Bank of Ukraine
Two commemorative coins issued in Ukraine in 2025 have entered the world's top 100 in the International Coin of the Year 2026 competition.
They are competing in two different categories, Numismatic News and the National Bank of Ukraine reported, as cited by Rubryka.
According to the competition organizers, Ukraine will be represented by the coins "Keep the Line!" and "The World of the Couturier's Art. Liubov Panchenko." Both made the top 100 after the first stage of selection:
- The five-hryvnia coin "Keep the Line!", made of nickel silver. It is competing in the "Most Inspirational Coin" category.
Photo source: National Bank of Ukraine
The obverse of the commemorative coin "Keep the Line!" depicts Ukrainian defenders joining hands in a circle of unity. This composition emphasizes cohesion before battle and readiness to defend the native land. In the background, the coin schematically shows defense lines and the directions of combat operations, visually resembling a trident.
The reverse of the coin continues the theme of the obverse, showing warriors confidently advancing. The inscription "Keep the Line" appears in a semicircle at the top of the coin, along with stylized images of military equipment that embody the strength and power of the Ukrainian army. Behind the soldiers stands a reliable rear, represented by silhouettes of civilians from various professions who work, help, and donate every day for the sake of a common victory.
- The 10-hryvnia silver coin "The World of the Couturier's Art. Liubov Panchenko," presented in the "Most Artistic Coin" category.
Photo source: National Bank of Ukraine
The obverse of the coin features a stylized portrait of Liubov Panchenko, framed by elements of her famous work "Bucha Spring." The artist's gaze, filled with creative energy and freedom, seems to pierce through time and space, symbolizing strength and devotion to ideals. The composition emphasizes the artist's close connection with her homeland. To the left of the portrait are the small State Emblem of Ukraine and the inscription "Liubov Panchenko"; to the right are the year of minting, 2025, the inscription "Ukraine," the denomination 10, and the graphic hryvnia symbol ₴.
The reverse of the coin depicts a fragment of "Bucha Spring" — with pad printing as a decorative element — symbolically combined with Liubov Panchenko's portrait to create a complete composition. "Bucha Spring" is not just a painting but a manifesto of beauty and unbreakable spirit, as the artist was born and lived in Bucha. This image has become forever etched in the city's memory and in the hearts of admirers of the artist's talent, serving as a symbol of faith in revival.
Ukrainian artist Andrii Sahach created the sketches for both coins.
At the first stage, an international jury of experts selected 100 coins issued in 2025. The list includes 10 coins in each of the 10 categories.
The jury must now choose the winners in each category and select the main coin of the competition. The organizers will announce the results of the final vote on August 27 during a ceremony in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States.
The international numismatic publication World Coin News holds the Coin of the Year competition annually with support from The Journal of East Asian Numismatics.
The National Bank of Ukraine emphasizes that commemorative coins help not only preserve Ukraine's history and culture but also tell international audiences about the country, including its values and modern identity.
Background
It should be noted that on February 24, the National Bank of Ukraine issued three new circulating commemorative coins from the thematic series "We Are Strong. We Are Together," dedicated to Ukraine's unity and its regions: Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Kherson.
As Rubryka reported, on February 25, 2026, the National Bank of Ukraine introduced updated 200-hryvnia banknotes into cash circulation with the patriotic slogan "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!" Other design and security elements remain unchanged.
