On June 18th, 2013 The National Bank of Ukraine has put into circulation 5 hryvnen "Maternity" coin dedicated to maternity, a timeless value of the humanity, a well of life, a symbol of holiness, eternity, warmth and affection.
 
“A mother is the symbol of life, holiness, eternity, warmth and all-conquering love. The mother as matriarch and domestic goddess has been worshipped by many cultures throughout human history. In the art this grand and everlasting subject is one of the oldest in the world culture. The mother keeps the spiritual hearth of the family, mankind and nation. A big mother's heart is eager to warm the whole world up with love. She is ready to give everything she has to her children, and even sacrifice her own life," noted Ms. Viktoriia Suzanska, Deputy Head of the Office for Numismatic Products and Marketing of the National Bank of Ukraine.

When working on the coin design, Ms.Natalia Fandikova wanted the coin to embody the most tender feelings that maternity triggers in people. "Maternity is associated with self-sacrifice, kindness, humanness. Mothers have been worshipped and blessed throughout human history. People call them "mother, mummy, mom, domestic goddess," said the designer.

"By issuing the commemorative coin "Maternity", the National Bank of Ukraine seeks to promote a caring attitude toward the woman-mother, emphasize her special role in our life and express gratitude to all mothers," added Ms. Viktoriia Suzanska.

Ms. Nuzhat Ehsan, UNFPA Representative for Ukraine and UNDP Country Director for Belarus, welcomed the initiative of the National Bank of Ukraine to promote maternity in Ukraine. In recent years, a lot has been done in Ukraine to improve the health and wellbeing of mothers. The United Nations Population Fund welcomes all the initiatives of the Ukrainian Government, including the launch of the new project “New Life - New Quality of Maternity and Childhood", which is being implemented under the auspices of the President of Ukraine.

According to Ms. Nuzhat Ehsan, the United Nations Population Fund promotes the right of all women (especially mothers), men and children to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. Ms. Nuzhat Ehsan has said that "the woman's role as a mother cannot be underestimated". She expressed hope that the joint efforts will lead to happier Ukrainian mothers and more prosperous families.

Face value of new "Maternity" coin is 5 hryven, metal - silver, purity 0.925, weight 15.55 g, diameter 33 mm, proof quality. Mintagage 10 000 pcs. Coin is minted at the Mint of National Bank of Ukraine.

Obverse: above there are the Small Coat of Arms of Ukraine and the semicircular inscription НАЦІОНАЛЬНИЙ БАНК УКРАЇНИ (National Bank of Ukraine); in the center there is depicted a baby carriage (carrycot) as a symbol of childhood and life immortality; thereunder are the coin issue year indication 2013 and the semicircular face value П’ЯТЬ ГРИВЕНЬ (five hryvnias).

Reverse: bears a conventionalized image of the Mother holding the Baby in her arms and the bow-shaped legend МАТЕРИНСТВО (maternity). The Mother’s image is full of warmth, motherliness, care and affection.

Designer – Nataliia Fandikova.
Engravers: Anatolii Demianenko, Sviatoslav Ivanenko.

Source of information: National Bank of Ukraine www.bank.gov.ua