This year the Ukraine will celebrates 20 years since the adoption of the Ukrainian Constitution on the 28th of June 1996.
The National Bank of the Ukraine is commemorating the anniversary with two collectors coins. Contributing to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Ukraine chose to reclaimed it's independence and break away from the USSR. In a referendum held on the 1st of December 1991 an overwhelming 92.3% of the votes counted were in favor of independence. The current constitution of Ukraine was adopted by the 5th session of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament)on the 28th of June 1996.
Ukraine 2016 5 Hryvnia Coin Reverse - 20th Anniversary of Ukrainian Constitution
The reverse of the coin depicts an open book at the centre, with the design divided into two sections. On the left appears an excerpt from the document in question while the right is left with clean fields where the legend is inscribe in a semi-circle along the inside of the rim. The legend reads: “КОНСТИТУЦІЇ УКРАЇНИ”(Constitution of Ukraine). Between the book and the legend is inscribed “20 РОКІВ” for 20 Years.
The obverse design depicts the national Coat of Arms of Ukraine at the very top, again the design is divided into two parts. The left section received a reverse proof treatment depicting olive branches along the rim. The right section again carries the legend that identifies the country of issue at the top and the denomination at the bottom. “УКРАЇНА” for Ukraine and “2 ГРИВНI” for 2 Hryvnia. The obverse is however, anchored by a depiction of the Ukrainian parliament building in the middle of the coin. The date of 2016 appears just below on the left side.
Ukraine 2016 5 Hryvnia Coin Obverse - 20th Anniversary of Ukrainian Constitution
Two coins will be released. The first is a 1/2oz sterling silver(.925 Fineness silver) 'special uncirculated' quality coin that measures 33mm(1.3 inch). The coin can be obtained from The National Bank of Ukraine for 511.00 Hryvnia(US$20.5), the silver coin has a limited mintage of 3000 coins.
The second coin is a nickel coin measuring 31mm(1.22 inch) also struck to a special uncirculated finish. The coin is listed at 30 Hryvnia(US$1.2) with a mintage of 30 000 coins. If past issues are any indication then this coin is likely to be released in a special printed packaging and international collectors should be able to obtain it with relative ease from a reputable international coins dealer for a small premium.
The coin was designed by Volodymyr Taran, Oleksandr Kharuk and Serhii Kharuk.