THE ROLE OF MODERN UKRAINIAN NUMISMATICS IN THE REPRESENTATION OF THE HISTORY OF UKRAINIAN STATEHOOD

Abstract

The theses provide a theoretical interpretation of the role of modern Ukrainian numismatics in representing the history of Ukrainian statehood and analyze commemorative, jubilee, and circulation coins of independent Ukraine as important historical and cultural sources. The study examines how coin symbolism, imagery, and thematic series shape perceptions of the development of Ukrainian statehood. The modern coinage policy of the National Bank of Ukraine is analyzed. Special attention is paid to commemorative and jubilee coins as distinctive “visual texts” reflecting key events, personalities, and symbols of national history. The paper presents the author’s classification of coins according to the principle of representing historical events — through personality, space, symbol, date, and absence. This approach makes it possible not only to systematize the numismatic heritage, but also to identify the mechanisms of shaping historical memory and the ideological emphases of the state memory policy. It is emphasized that modern Ukrainian numismatics performs not only an economic function, but also cultural, educational, and communicative ones. Coins serve as instruments for promoting history, shaping national identity, and fostering civic consciousness. Practical recommendations are proposed regarding the use of numismatic materials in the educational process and expanding public access to the historical context of coin issues.