Ukraine has issued a unique commemorative silver coin marking the 35th anniversary of Independence
Kyiv • UNN
The 20-hryvnia coin is made of .925 sterling silver, with a mintage of up to 5,000 pieces. Its design symbolizes the protection of Ukraine’s freedom.
On Ukraine’s Independence Day, August 24, 2026, the National Bank of Ukraine put into circulation a commemorative coin “To the 35th Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence,” UNN reports, citing the NBU.
Details
The coin continues the “Ukrainian State” series and is dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the proclamation of Ukraine’s independence—one of the most important events in the modern history of Ukrainian statehood, which embodied the Ukrainian people’s thousand-year aspiration for freedom.
The presentation of this unique silver commemorative coin took place in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. It was here that, 35 years ago, on August 24, 1991, the Act of Proclamation of Ukraine’s Independence was adopted.
“For the National Bank, every commemorative coin is an opportunity to speak through the language of symbols, remind people of what is important, and preserve memory. When we were looking for the image that most accurately embodies 35 years of Ukraine’s Independence, we chose a shield. It has been struck, but it has not broken; it has endured. This is a metaphor for Ukraine. And the hand of a Ukrainian warrior firmly holding this shield reminds us that independence is protected by people, by Ukrainian soldiers. They defend it for the sake of a future symbolized by a child’s drawing—simple, like all true values: a child, a heart, the sun, a home. We bow our heads before those who gave their lives for these values. We thank those who are defending them now,” emphasized Andriy Pyshnyy, Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine.
“Today demonstrated a very important component of our unity. Different parliamentarians, different people, different eras, but everyone has the same goal—to do everything so that Ukraine endures and Ukraine wins. This is the leitmotif for each of us. Great goals lie ahead of us, and we will certainly achieve them. And the grandeur of this moment must be preserved in symbols that will carry this information to future generations, including in Ukrainian currency,” noted Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
About the coin’s design
The commemorative coin “To the 35th Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence” has a face value of 20 hryvnias and is made of .925 sterling silver; its minting quality category is “special uncirculated,” and the weight of the precious metal in pure form is 62.2 g. The coin’s edge is smooth with recessed inscriptions. The coin is decorated with patination and selective gilding. Its mintage is up to 5 000 pieces.
The obverse of the coin depicts the hand of a serviceman holding a shield. At the top is an image of a child’s drawing that serves as a talisman for the defender. In the upper-left section is the inscription УКРАЇНА, while on the right are the small State Emblem of Ukraine, the year of minting—2026, the denomination 20, and the graphic hryvnia symbol ₴. The circular inscription reads: 35 РОКІВ БОРОТЬБИ ЗА МАЙБУТНЄ.
The reverse depicts the outer side of a shield with damage, symbolizing the struggle for the freedom and independence of the Ukrainian people.
Artist—Andriy Sahach.