Ukraine’s “The Courage To Be. UA” Named Best Contemporary Event Coin
The National Bank of Ukraine’s coin “The Courage To Be. UA” won the Best Contemporary Event Coin category at the Coin of the Year (COTY) awards for 2023-dated coins. This coin celebrates the courage of the Ukrainian nation and is the latest installment in the “My Immortal Ukraine” series.
“The commemorative coin ‘The Courage to Be. UA’ is special for us. It celebrates what unites all Ukrainians. It is courage. Every day during this war, the whole world is watching with admiration the many examples of courage and fortitude of Ukrainians,” said Andriy Pyshnyy, Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU). “Undoubtedly, courage is about being Ukrainian. Therefore, on the smooth background of our coin, everyone will be able to see their face and feel part of an unbroken Ukraine.”
The coin, which has a face value of 10 hryvnias, was designed by Volodymyr Taran, Oleksandr Kharuk, and Serhii Kharuk. The engraver is Volodymyr Atamanchuk of the NBU’s Banknote Printing and Minting Works.
The coin’s obverse features a stylized composition that symbolizes Ukraine. The country is represented by the symbol of the trident, which stands for the cutting edge and embodies modern trends, societal processes, global attention, and the creation of a new world history. Against an absolutely smooth background is the blade of a sword, with Ukraine’s small coat of arms above it. The lower right of the obverse features the following inscriptions: УКРАЇНА (vertical), coin minting year – 2023; the denomination is 5 and the graphic symbol of the hryvnia.
The reverse of the coin depicts a composition that stands for the phenomenon of Ukrainian courage and heroic resistance. In the center of the composition is a gold star. According to the National Bank of Ukraine, it is intended to represent new hope and draw a symbolic parallel with the Star of Bethlehem. The reverse also includes the legend: СМІЛИВІСТЬ БУТИ. UA (THE COURAGE TO BE. UA).
The coin weighs 31.1 grams and measures 38.6 mm in diameter. Mintage is limited to 5,000 coins.