Sharp jump in the cost of NBU commemorative coins
In the spring and early summer of 2026, the market for commemorative coins of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) experienced a genuine price surge. Already after sales began, the prices of some items increased by 1.5–10 times. This trend was particularly evident for certain coins that attracted the attention of investors and collectors. For English-speaking audiences, it is worth noting that similar price jumps for commemorative coins often serve as indicators of increased interest in alternative ways to preserve capital in conditions of economic instability.
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One of the most popular was the coin "65th Anniversary of the National Prize of Ukraine named after Taras Shevchenko" with a face value of 5 UAH in souvenir packaging. It went on sale on May 21, 2026, for about 201 UAH, and with shipping — about 290 UAH. On the secondary market, the average price reached 438 UAH, which is 1.5 times higher than the initial price.
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No less excitement was generated by the coin "100th Anniversary of the Memory Day of Symon Petliura" with a face value of 2 UAH made of nickel silver. It appeared for sale on May 26, 2026, for about 204 UAH (with shipping — 300 UAH). On the secondary market, its average cost rose to 579 UAH, nearly double the initial price.
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The silver investment coin "Ukrainian Avant-Garde. Oleksandra Ekster" with a face value of 10 UAH (net silver weight — 31.1 g) also found itself in the spotlight. Sales started on June 2, 2026, at a price of 9,252 UAH each, with a limit of one coin per person. On the first day, its price on the secondary market ranged from 11,500 to 13,000 UAH.
As noted by expert Oleksii Kozyrev: "It was sold out relatively quickly, despite the quite large initial mintage".
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The coin "Absolute" made of nickel silver, released in the autumn of 2024, also demonstrated significant growth. Initially, it cost about 160 UAH, increased to 700 UAH in 2025, and on the secondary market after another surge, its price fluctuated between 850 and 2,300 UAH.
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The greatest interest was generated by the coin "Chernobyl. Revival. Bison" with a face value of 5 UAH. Its starting price in the economical version was about 190 UAH, whereas on the secondary market, its cost exceeded 2,000 UAH — an increase of more than 10 times.
This data confirms that NBU commemorative coins are becoming not just collectible items, but also sought-after investment assets.
According to Oleksii Kozyrev: "A person with numismatic knowledge, if desired, will be able to find it at the 'old' price — within 700–750 UAH, but this is still more than 4.3 times above the initial 'NBU' price".
This dynamics reflects not only the growing popularity of numismatics but also changing consumer preferences: investments in commemorative coins are increasingly viewed as a profitable alternative to traditional financial instruments. Judging by the observed trends, the Ukrainian market for commemorative coins may continue to expand, attracting more and more new investors and collectors.
Interest in NBU commemorative coins continues to grow, associated not only with their investment attractiveness but also with cultural significance. For instance, recently the release of coins dedicated to repressed figures in art became another step in preserving historical memory and attracting collectors' attention. Such initiatives emphasize the importance of preserving cultural heritage in conditions of economic instability.