NBU plans commemorative coin to mark 25 years since John Paul II's Ukraine visit

"Today, we are presenting a decision to preserve in metal the memory of a person and the ideas that, 25 years after his visit, remain remarkably relevant for Ukraine: freedom, dignity, Ukraine's European calling, and the ability of nations with a complicated shared history not to remain hostage to it, but to build a common future," Pyshnyi said.

The National Bank of Ukraine said it is beginning work on the coin, which is expected to enter circulation by the end of this year. The regulator will announce its design, denomination, mintage and release date at a later date.

Pope John Paul II's apostolic visit to Ukraine took place from June 23-27, 2001. During the visit, he traveled to Kyiv and Lviv.

Andrii Yurash, Ukraine's ambassador to the Holy See, called the decision to issue the coin significant given the importance of John Paul II and his intellectual and spiritual legacy for Ukraine.

As previously reported, in February, the National Bank decided to begin withdrawing 1-, 2-, 5- and 10-hryvnia banknotes issued between 2003 and 2007 from cash circulation on March 2, replacing them with coins of the corresponding denominations.

In August 2025, the NBU updated the design of one of its banknotes.

In May 2026, the central bank issued an octagonal commemorative coin.

In July 2026, to mark the Day of Remembrance of Ukraine's Defenders, members of volunteer formations and civilians who were executed, tortured or died in captivity, the National Bank of Ukraine issued a new circulating commemorative coin.

In late July 2026, the NBU issued a new 5-hryvnia commemorative coin titled "Ukrainian Cotton. Sea Baby Naval Drone."