The National Bank of Ukraine has issued a new commemorative coin dedicated to the traditional sacred holiday – Christmas, the National Bank of Ukraine announced on Facebook.
“Our new commemorative coin, ”Spirit of Christmas,” embodies the deep traditions of this joyous family holiday, which have kept Ukrainians together for generations. It features a stylized image of a golden straw didukh, a traditional attribute of Ukrainian Christmas, and is filled with the warmth and comfort of a pre-Christmas meal of a Ukrainian family. And although many families are separated by distance today, we are still together in our hearts at the festive table,” the NBU press service quoted the head of the central bank, Andriy Pyshnyy.
The coin with a face value of 10 hryvnias is made of 925 silver, with a pure precious metal weight of 31.1 grams. The decorative elements include double-sided local gilding with a diamond insert (1.5 mm).
The obverse features a stylized image of a straw didukh in the center of the composition. Its base is decorated with a straw angel, symbolizing protection and good news. The background of the composition is divided into two planes resembling a window illuminated by the light of stars on Christmas Eve. One of the stars symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem (with a diamond shining in its center).
The reverse side depicts a traditional pre-Christmas meal of a Ukrainian family, where the images of the father, mother, and children are visually identified with celestial bodies: the halos around their heads symbolize the Sun (wife), the Moon (husband), and the stars (their children). In front of the family is a table with 12 dishes: kutia, varenyky, pampukhy, fish, and other traditional treats, as well as garlic heads—a talisman against evil spirits.
Artists Volodymyr Taran, Oleksandr Kharuk, Serhii Kharuk, and sculptors Anatolii Demianenko and Volodymyr Atamanchuk worked on the creation of the coin.
The mintage is up to 15,000 pieces.
The commemorative coin will be available in the NBU’s online numismatic store and through distributor banks starting in January 2026.
