Confiscation of a Ukrainian People’s Republic Banknote
A 100-hryvnia note from the Ukrainian People’s Republic, dated 1918, was intercepted by customs officials in Kyiv as someone attempted to illegally ship it to Australia. Because the banknote holds substantial cultural importance, it was seized due to the lack of proper export permits. A report has been filed under Article 473 of the Customs Code of Ukraine regarding this incident.
The discovery occurred during an inspection of an international postal parcel traveling from Kyiv to Australia. According to customs authorities, this particular 100-hryvnia note—issued in 1918—was printed in Berlin based on a design by renowned Ukrainian artist Heorhii Narbut. Experts from the National Museum of the History of Ukraine confirmed its cultural value, noting that
“this specific 100-hryvnia banknote is considered one of his most masterfully crafted works.”
Preventing the Illegal Export of Cultural Treasures
This case is part of a broader pattern of Ukrainian customs preventing the unlawful removal of valuable items. Recently, they also stopped more than 200 coins from the 16th to 18th centuries that were being smuggled out of the country. Additionally, at the Shehyni-Medyka border checkpoint, Lviv customs officers seized undeclared German coins and a 1942 book by Benito Mussolini.
The Kyiv Customs Office stressed the importance of protecting historical assets, stating that
“a hundred hryvnias from the UNR era is a reminder of Ukraine’s statehood history. Even after a century, such items remain under state protection.”
In this way, customs officers play a vital role in safeguarding the nation’s cultural heritage.
This confiscation highlights the efforts of Ukrainian customs to prevent the illegal export of culturally significant artifacts. Preserving these items not only protects national heritage but also helps spread knowledge of Ukrainian history abroad. The seizure of this banknote, along with other valuable objects, reflects a tightening of controls over cultural property at customs—a response to modern challenges in preserving Ukraine’s cultural legacy.
This recent incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Ukrainian authorities in preserving cultural heritage. Similar to the recent case involving the recovery of stolen artworks in Crimea, customs officials play a crucial role in combating the illicit trade of valuable historical items, ensuring that Ukraine's rich cultural legacy remains protected.