2016-12-23 Fri

On 12th December, Ukraine issued a new coin that celebrates the love for one’s neighbour and Christmas. Western Christmas is celebrated on 25th December and the Eastern Christmas is celebrated on 6th January.

The legend says that Saint Nicholas is the symbol of good spirit, who observes children all round the year and encourages good behaviour. Children worldwide write letters along with their wishes to Saint Nicholas before Christmas Eve. He supposedly lives in the northernmost part of the globe. On Christmas Day, children receive presents in the form of toys, games etc or receive socks, pyjamas filled with gifts. It is a time when the entire world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ remembering the story of the Nativity.

The obverse of the coin depicts Saint Nicholas, toys and a small state emblem of Ukraine. Other inscriptions include 2016; “Ukraine”, “5 Grivnia” in Ukrainian language and the logo of the Mint of the National Bank of Ukraine.

The reverse of the coin features the line “We have come, Saint Nicholas!” in the Ukrainian language, a group of three happy children with toys, In a colourful banner of toys and the snow falling against a blue sky.

The mintage limit of the 5 Grivnia Nickel-silver 16.5 g BU coloured coin is 75,000.