New Coin Celebrating the Eastern Calendar: Year of the Fire Horse
The National Bank of Ukraine has launched a new commemorative coin titled "Year of the Horse" with a denomination of 5 hryvnias, which is already in circulation. Sales will begin on November 4, as announced by the bank's press service on November 3.
According to Chinese astrology, the year 2026 will be under the sign of the Fire (Red) Horse.
"Thus, our coin "Year of the Horse" is dedicated to this very symbol. The horse is the seventh sign of the Eastern calendar, representing activity, vitality, independence, endurance, and determination. It also symbolizes dynamism, decisiveness, and the desire for freedom," the announcement states.
Coin Design
The reverse side of the coin features a stylized image of a horse against the backdrop of a horseshoe, symbolizing luck. Below this image are three dots, signifying the continuation of struggle.
"The horse's mane conveys the dynamics of movement "with the wind" or "against the wind" — a metaphor for inner strength, resistance, and the quest for freedom," the NBU explained.
On the obverse of the coin, twelve symbols of the Eastern calendar are depicted in a circle, with a stylized clock in the center indicating the leading zodiac sign for 2026.
This design was created by artist Marina Kuts and sculptor Volodymyr Atamanchuk.
About the Sale of the Coin "Year of the Horse"
The commemorative coin "Year of the Horse" will be released on November 3, 2025, with a denomination of 5 hryvnias. The mintage is 80,000 pieces in souvenir packaging. The coin will be available for purchase in the National Bank's online store starting November 4, and will also be distributed by banks as they receive shipments from the NBU's Banknote and Coin Factory.
