Ukraine has won the Krause Coin of the Year (COTY) Most Inspirational award for its powerful 2024 5 Hryven coin honoring medical workers — part of the broader Country of Superheroes series.
The coin’s obverse features a strip of bandage with blood rendered in red enamel, a striking and immediate image of injury and sacrifice. The reverse depicts a medic’s hand over strips of bandages — a quiet but profound tribute to the healthcare workers who have served on Ukraine’s front lines.
Designed by Volodymyr Taran, Oleksandr Kharuk, and Serhii Kharuk, the coin carries the catalog number KM#1108. It is struck in nickel brass, weighs 16.54 grams, and measures 35mm in diameter. The coin features Cyrillic script, medal alignment, and a reeded edge, with a mintage of over 50,000 pieces.
The COTY Most Inspirational award recognizes coins whose designs speak to the human spirit — and this piece does exactly that. In the context of ongoing conflict, Ukraine’s decision to celebrate the courage and dedication of its medical workers through numismatic art is both timely and deeply moving.
The Country of Superheroes series reflects Ukraine’s broader cultural effort to honor everyday heroes during wartime, and this coin stands as one of its most emotionally resonant entries.