The National Bank of Ukraine has released a new commemorative coin to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Kiev Tram network.
Ukraine 2016 5 Hryvnia Horse Tram Coin Reverse
Specifically the 5 Hryvnia coin commemorates the first horse drawn tram car that was first put on July 30, 1891. By August of that year the tram system would stretch from Tzar's Square, modern day European Square, to the Demiivska Square. Today the tram system is a key component of Kiev's public transportation system.
Ukraine 2016 5 Hryvnia Horse Tram Coin Obverse
The reverse design features an example of one of the first horse drawn tram cars shown while in operation, with two horses hitched in front with the operator and several passengers inside. A depiction of the Kiev skyline in 1891 can be seen in the background with the steeples of Lavra Monastery peaking out behind the tram. The reverse legend is inscribed at the top of the coin and reads : “КІННИЙ ТРАМВАЙ” which translates as “Horse Tram”.
Ukraine 2016 5 Hryvnia Horse Tram Coin in Collector's Card Obverse
The obverse design has been offset to form the shape of a horse shoe along the rim. Inside the horse shoe appears a scene form modern day Kiev featuring an electric tram. Between the two points of the horse shoe at the top is inscribed “УКРАЇНА” and “П`ЯТЬ ГРИВЕНЬ” at the bottom. This translates as Ukraine and Five Hryvnia respectively. The Ukrainian national coat of arms appears just below the country name and the date of issue(2016) just above the denomination.
Ukraine 2016 5 Hryvnia Horse Tram Coin in Collector's Card Obverse
The commemorative coin is struck from a nickel alloy called German Silver, composed of approximately 60% copper, 20% nickel and 20% zinc. The 5 Hryvnia coin measures 35mm and weighs 16.54gram. The coin can be obtained raw or encapsulated on a special commemorative card. Planned mintage figures are 35 000 coins struck in special uncirculated.
