The NBU Will Issue a Commemorative Coin in Honor of Pope John Paul II

The National Bank of Ukraine, in 2026 year, will issue a commemorative coin dedicated to Saint Pope John Paul II and 25-year anniversary of his historic apostolic visit to Ukraine.

Main: The new NBU issue: In 2026 year, the National Bank will bring into circulation a commemorative coin dedicated to the eminent spiritual leader, the Pope John Paul II. Historical occasion: The issue is timed to the 25-year anniversary of his first apostolic visit to Ukraine, which took place at the end of June 2001 year. Details to come: The NBU has already begun work on the coin. Information about its design, denomination, mintage, and exact presentation date will be announced later. Symbolism and tradition: The issue will continue the numismatic series devoted to Ukrainian–Polish solidarity, European unity, and historical reconciliation of peoples. The coin will be dedicated to the eminent spiritual leader, one of the most influential Poles of the 20th century, and the 25-year anniversary of his visit to Ukraine. Details of the future issue were disclosed by the head of the NBU, Andriy Pyshny, and the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to the Holy See, Andriy Yurash. The National Bank has already begun work on a new commemorative coin. It is planned to be put into circulation in 2026 year. At the same time, details about the design, denomination, mintage, and date of presentation promise to be announced later. Why the coin is devoted to John Paul II Apostolic visit: John Paul II’s visit to Ukraine occurred in 23-27 June 2001 year. During his first address in Kyiv, the pontiff called himself a friend of the Ukrainian people, spoke about Ukraine’s special place between East and West, and emphasized its European vocation. The National Bank also reminded that in 2003 year the Pope urged Ukrainians and Poles not to remain prisoners of painful historical memory, to acknowledge past mistakes, to forgive injuries, and to ask forgiveness for one’s own faults. According to the head of the NBU, Andriy Pyshny, the future commemorative coin should preserve the memory of John Paul II and his ideas, which, in the bank’s assessment, remain relevant for Ukraine today. The coin will continue the numismatic tradition. The NBU noted that the release of the new coin will continue the numismatic tradition linked to Ukrainian–Polish solidarity. Specifically, in 2023 year, the National Bank of Ukraine and the National Bank of Poland jointly issued a set of silver commemorative coins “Friendship and Brotherliness – the greatest wealth,” dedicated to the partnership of the two states and support for Ukraine after the start of the full-scale Russian aggression. According to the NBU’s plan, the new coin should develop this theme in a broader historical context as a symbol of freedom, reconciliation, responsibility for historical memory, and European unity.

Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported on the National Bank’s release of a new commemorative coin “Ukrainian Cotton. Sea Baby Drone.” The coin was dedicated to the sea unmanned vehicle developed by the Security Service of Ukraine. The NBU showed its design, announced the start date of sales, the mint, and denomination, and reminded about the Sea Baby drone’s role in carrying out combat operations, including attacks on the Crimean Bridge and ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The NBU also released two new commemorative circulation coins with denominations of 10 hryvnias, dedicated to Sumy and Chernihiv regions. The NBU showcased coin designs, spoke about their mintages, the order of introduction into circulation and sale in special videos, and explained that the series is intended to honor the resilience of border regions during the full-scale war.