Numismatists always want to get the rarest items for their collection. This explains the enormous cost of some individual coins, which can be hundreds or even thousands of times higher than their face value. Rare coins of Ukraine - what are they and what is their value?
What is numismatics?
This term (from the Latin language “nomism” is a coin) should be interpreted in two meanings. Firstly, it is a science that is part of a system of historical disciplines that studies the types and characteristics of issuing coin money. Secondly, it is a type of collecting (collecting) various coins.
Numismatics is not a simple hobby. Some especially successful people managed to turn it into a good way to earn money. And the subject of their “hunt” is precisely the rare coins of Ukraine and other states.
However, it is worth noting that numismatics is, first of all, a hobby. And for the sake of such a passion, it takes a lot of effort, time and money.
What Ukrainian coins are collectors and numismatists hunting for? Let's try to figure this out.
Rare coins of Ukraine: which of them are valued?
Not every coin can attract the attention of a collector. The high cost (price) of a particular instance depends on several factors:
- the metal of which the coin is made;
- circulation (or issue);
- other features (rare embossing, unusual thickness, special pattern and the like);
- allowed marriage in the production of a batch of coins.
This is very surprising, but even defective copies become an object of search for numismatists and, therefore, grow in price. So, rare coins of Ukraine come across, in which the obverse (coat of arms) is turned 180 or 135 degrees relative to the face value. Or there are coins on which there is no obverse at all - on both sides there is a denomination. Such coins are very rare, and therefore valuable for a certain circle of people.
In addition, numismatists pay attention to the year of issue of money. So, the rarest years of Ukrainian coins today are 1992 and 1994. Individual (at face value) coins of these years of issue are valued very highly.
Rare coins of Ukraine: table
What kind of coins should you look for in your wallet and in your piggy banks? A special table can help you with this, in which all the rare coins are located, starting from the most expensive and ending with the cheapest.
The rarest everyday coins of Ukraine| Face value | Year of issue | Coin price (in UAH) |
| 2 kopecks | 1992 | from 4000 to 8000 |
| 1 hryvnia | 1992 | from 3000 to 4000 |
| 5 kopecks | 1994 | from 2500 to 3500 |
| 25 kopecks | 2003 | about 700 |
| 1 kopeck | 1994 | 450-600 |
| 25 kopecks | 1995 | 450-600 |
| 50 kopecks | 2003 | 450-600 |
| 2 kopecks | 2003 | 200-300 |
| 5 kopecks | 1996 | about 150 |
| 5 kopecks | 2001 | about 150 |
| 10 kopecks | 2001 | about 150 |
| 25 kopecks | 2001 | about 150 |
| 50 kopecks | 2001 | about 150 |
As we see from this table, the rarest coins of Ukraine are of the 1992th and 1994th year of issue (if we talk about those coins that are in free use).
The rarest commemorative coins of the country
Also among the numismatists, the so-called jubilee Ukrainian coins are valued. Below are the five most exclusive and valuable copies of them.
The most expensive commemorative coins| Title | Face value | Metal | Coin price |
| Final Euro 2012 | 500 UAH | gold | 350 000 UAH |
| Oranta | 500 UAH | gold | 130 000 UAH |
| Pectoral | 100 UAH | gold | 43000 UAH |
| "Golden Gate" | 100 UAH | gold | 30000 UAH |
| "10 years of Independence of Ukraine" | 20 UAH | silver | 31000 UAH |
The key factor that these coins have such a high value is the metal from which they are made. The second important factor is, of course, the circulation of the coin. All copies presented in this table have a small circulation. So, the most expensive commemorative coin of Ukraine, which was dedicated to the final match of Euro 2012, was issued in the amount of only 500 pieces. The mass of one coin is 500 grams. This explains the fabulous amount that must be laid out to the collector in order to get this unique coin.
Here is another example: 20-hryvnia coins issued for the 10th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence have a circulation of only 1,000 pieces. In addition, most of them were presented to deputies and ministers as souvenirs. Therefore, today numismatists are ready to offer considerable money for this instance.
Experimental and trial coins are also in great demand. For example, in 1992 a small batch of Ukrainian coins with a face value of 15 kopecks was issued (by analogy with Soviet money). However, later this denomination was abandoned, but some of the unique coins nevertheless fell into use. And now 15 kopeck Ukrainian coins are in considerable demand among numismatists. At various specialized forums, collectors offer huge amounts for them - from 10 thousand hryvnias apiece.
Finally...
Many citizens are not very respectful of the "little things" and, having received change in the form of small coins at the store, they casually throw them into their wallet. However, here the proverb "penny - the ruble (hryvnia) saves" takes on practical meaning. It is always worthwhile to carefully look at small coins. Indeed, at any moment you can fall into the hands of the one that crowds of numismatists and collectors hunt for months.