On April 26, 38 years have passed since the largest nuclear power disaster in the history of nuclear energy - the Chornobyl accident. To mark the anniversary, the National Bank of Ukraine has put into circulation a commemorative coin "Chornobyl. Revival. Black Stork" commemorative coin from the Flora and Fauna of Ukraine series.
bank.gov.ua
The black stork, or Ciconia nigra in Latin, is one of the five species of the Stork genus. The rare bird is listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine and the European Red List, and is protected by the Bern and Bonn Conventions. Representatives of the species live, in particular, on the territory of the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve.
bank.gov.ua
"This is one of two species of storks found in the fauna of Ukraine. It settles mainly near forest lakes or forest swamps. Unlike the white stork, this bird is very cautious and tries to avoid people, so it is very rare to see representatives of its species. Currently, its population in the Chornobyl Reserve is growing. This indicates the restoration of the region's ecosystem and the fact that the reserve is becoming a center of biodiversity even in the face of radiation contamination," the NBU said.
The commemorative coin has a face value of 5 hryvnias and is made of nickel silver, with a minting quality category of "special uncirculated". The coin weighs 16.54 g.
bank.gov.ua
The obverse of the coin features a symbolic wheel of life in the center. It is formed from a stylized radiation hazard sign, shrouded in foliage, around which animals are depicted, whose populations are being restored in the exclusion zone. These are Przewalski's horse, Eurasian lynx, European bison, European elk, brown bear, and black stork. The obverse has the following inscriptions on a mirror background: "Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve" in Ukrainian and English. bank.gov.ua
bank.gov.ua
The reverse features a black stork against a landscape background and a picture of storks in a nest above. The decoration uses tampon printing.
This is the fourth coin in the "Chornobyl. Revival" series, designed by artist Natalia Fandikova.
The mintage of the numismatic novelty is 40 thousand pieces, including 20 thousand in souvenir packaging. The National Bank has announced that it will start selling the new coin starting today, at 10:00 a.m.
Source: National Bank of Ukraine
