On December 10, 2013, the National Bank of Ukraine put the commemorative coin "The Year of the Horse" into circulation.

Ms Tamara Loshmanova, Head of the NBU Office for Numismatic Products and Marketing, has said that the commemorative coin “The Year of the Horse” represents a continuation of the Chinese Calendar series.

“According to the legend, in ancient times, 12 animals were given an opportunity to take it in turns to be at the helm of one year, becoming the symbols of this period. In 2014, it is Horse's turn to take the helm. Therefore, ahead of the New Year celebrations, the National Bank of Ukraine releases the silver commemorative coin “The Year of the Horse” devoted to the symbol of the upcoming year according to the Chinese Calendar," explained Ms Tamara Loshmanova.

The Chinese Calendar series was launched in 2006. It comprises nine coins: “The Year of the Dog”, “The Year of the Pig”, “The Year of the Rat”, “The Year of the Ox”, “The Year of the Tiger”, “The Year of the Cat (Rabbit, Hare)”, “The year of the Dragon”, “The Year of the Snake”, and “The Year of the Horse”.

“All the coins from this series enjoy great popularity among the public because of their attractive artistic design – a conventionalized image of animals and a floral ornament, as well as the use of various stones as decoration elements,” said Ms Tamara Loshmanova.

In addition, she said that the commemorative coin “The Year of the Horse" of 5 hryvnia face value was made from 925-fine silver, weight in fineness – 15.55 g; the decoration element – brown zirconium oxide of 1.0 mm diameter; quality − “proof”.

With a large mintage of 25,000 pieces, our citizens willing to make New Year gifts to their nearest and dearest will be able to buy this coin," noted Ms Tamara Loshmanova.

The coin was designed by Volodymyr Taran, Oleksandr Kharuk and Serhii Kharuk. It was sculpted by Anatolii Demianenko and Volodymyr Demianenko.

The commemorative coin is available for sale at the regional branches of the National Bank of Ukraine and the National Bank of Ukraine’s distributors selling commemorative coins.

The commemorative coin “The Year of the Horse" of 5 hryvnia face value is a legal tender of Ukraine and shall be accepted without any restrictions at its face value for all types of payments as well as for placing to the settlement accounts, on deposits, for letters of credit and transfers.

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