On 23rd of September 2015, the National Bank of Ukraine put into circulation the commemorative coins “Oleshky Sands” of 10 and 2 hryvnia face value.

Oleshky Sands (Ukrainian: Олешківські піски) is the largest expanse of sand in Ukraine. It is situated inland from the Ukrainian coast of the Black Sea and consists of sand dunes or kuchuhury (locally), which reach a height of five meters. Some sparse vegetation can be located across the sands.

The Oleshky Desert is located in Tsiurupynsk Raion, Kherson Oblast, 30 km (~20 mi) east of Kherson. The previous name of Tsiurupynsk was Oleshky. Before the Russian annexation of the Crimean Khanate at the end of the 18th century, the territory belonged to the nomad Nogai Hordes, particularly the Djambuilut Horde. No detailed historical information about the region has survived.

The closest populated settlement is seven kilometers away (~4.5 mi). In Soviet times the sands were used as an Air Force bombing range for pilots of the Warsaw Pact alliance. To this day there is a possibility of finding some unexploded ordnance.

The coin of 10 hryvnia face value has been made of silver; quality – “special uncirculated”, weight – 31.1 g, diameter – 38.6 mm, mintage – 3 000 pieces. The coin edge is lettered.

The coin of 2 hryvnia face value has been made of German silver; quality – “special uncirculated”, weight– 12.8 g, diameter – 31.0 mm, mintage – 35 000 pieces. The coin edge is corrugated.

Designer and engraver – Svyatoslav Ivanenko.

Coins are minted at the Mint of National Bank of Ukraine