On the eve of Ukraine’s Independence Day, on 23 August 2024, new commemorative coins entitled “Pliontanism” (Ivan Marchuk) were presented at the Museum of Kyiv History. These coins celebrate a unique painting technique that was invented by the genius Ukrainian contemporary artist Ivan Marchuk.
The coins were presented by Andriy Pyshnyy, Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine. The presentation was also attended by Diana Popova, Director General of the Museum of Kyiv History; Ivan Marchuk, People’s Artist of Ukraine and winner of the Taras Shevchenko National Prize of Ukraine; and his daughter, People’s Artist of Ukraine Bohdana Pivnenko. The event was held as part of the personal exhibition of the prominent Ukrainian artist “Ivan Marchuk. The Cosmic Mystery of Life,” which is ongoing at the Museum of Kyiv History.
“Every conscientious Ukrainian understands why, especially now, during a full-scale war, it is important to protect the art and cultural heritage of Ukraine,” said Pyshnyy. “Marchuk’s works are undoubtedly a striking artistic phenomenon that has gained international recognition. The coins, which are dedicated to Marchuk’s visionary work, are a testament of our gratitude and deep respect for the master. They also present an opportunity to preserve the creative work of the contemporary Ukrainian artist in Ukrainian money for future generations of Ukrainians and people worldwide to enjoy.”
“All my life I was trying to develop my own style, I didn’t want to follow the usual path,” Marchuk said. “I wanted to say a new word. My works were banned in Soviet times. But I kept creating, I didn't spare myself. Because life is short, and art is eternal. Don’t be afraid to develop your own style, explore, create, and dream.”
“We realize that we were lucky to live at the same time as Ivan Marchuk, to be his contemporaries,” Popova said. “Together with our partners, we are saying this – with admiration, respect, and love. The same way he talks about Ukraine in his works.”
Coin Design
The design of the coins draws from the painting “Awakening” created by Ivan Marchuk in 1992.
The design motif of the obverse of the silver coin is a circle that associatively resembles the sun, symbolizing the source of life, energy and development. The obverse of the nickel silver coin repeats the general stylized composition of the obverse of the silver coin.
The reverses of both coins depict an image of a girl with a blue and yellow ribbon in her hair. The girl stands against the backdrop of the blooming vastness of her native land, symbolizing the awakening of Ukraine.
Both coins have been decorated with color printing (pad printing) and patina.
Coin Sales
The nickel silver coins will be sold from 26 August 2024 through the NBU’s online numismatic store. Overall, the NBU plans to sell 30,000 of these commemorative coins through its online store, with 20,000 of them being available from the day they go on sale. Information about the launch of sales of the silver coins will be published on the website of the online store in due course.
More of these coins will be sold by distributing banks (the list of these banks can be found on the NBU’s official website), as they are delivered from the NBU’s Banknote Printing and Minting Works. You can find more details about the starting date of sales and points of sale on the official websites of the distributing banks.
These coins, which continue the Ukrainian Heritage series, were issued into circulation by the National Bank of Ukraine on 23 August 2024:
- the 10-hryvnia coin is made of silver (Ag 925) in special uncirculated quality. It has a fine weight of 31.1 g, a diameter of 38.6 mm, and a mintage of up to 7,500 units.
- the 5-hryvnia coin is made of nickel silver in special uncirculated quality. It has a weight of 16.5 g, a diameter of 35.0 mm, and a mintage of up to 75,000 units.