Banknotes of Ukrainian hryvnia are the banknotes or bills of Ukraine, denominated in Ukrainian hryvnias. Currently, they are issued in denominations of ₴1, ₴2, ₴5, ₴10, ₴20, ₴50, ₴100, ₴200, ₴500 and ₴1000. All current notes are issued by the National Bank of Ukraine, which released its first series of notes in 1996. The current series of hryvnia banknotes were introduced into circulation between 2004 and 2006. Banknotes issued in Ukraine can be viewed at the Currency Museum of the National Bank of Ukraine in Kyiv.
Banknotes
In 1996, the first series of hryvnia banknotes was introduced into circulation by the National Bank of Ukraine. They were dated 1992 and were in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 hryven’. The design of the banknotes was developed by Ukrainian artistsVasyl Lopata and Borys Maksymov. One hryvnia banknotes were printed by the Canadian Bank Note Company in 1992. Two, five and ten hryvnia banknotes were printed two years later. Until introduction into circulation the banknotes were kept in Canada. Banknotes of the first series in denominations of 50 and 100 hryven' also existed but due to unknown reasons they were never introduced. Also in 1996, the 1, 50, and 100 hryvnia notes of the second series were introduced, with 1 hryvnia dated 1994. The banknotes were designed and printed by British printer De La Rue. Since the opening of the Mint of the National Bank of Ukraine in cooperation with De La Rue in March 1994 all banknotes have been printed in Ukraine. Later, highest denominations were added. The 200 hryvnia notes of the second series were introduced in 2001, followed by the 500 hryvnia notes of the third series in 2006. All hryvnia banknotes issued by the National Bank continue to be a legal tender. As of 2008, the banknotes of early series can rarely be found in circulation. Also, despite the devaluing of the currency since its introduction, all kopeck coins remain in circulation, as well as all low-value hryvnia bills, including 1 hryvnia. As with the U.S. dollar, the 1 hryvnia bill is commonly used, and the 1 hryvnia coin is rarely seen. The 100 hryvnia denomination is quite common due to its moderately high value, much as with the US$20 bill. Also common is the 200 hryvnia, as most Ukrainian ATMs dispense currency in this denomination. The total number of counterfeit hryvnia banknotes in 2015 and 2016 was 2.8 forged bills per 1 million legitimate ones. Almost 10,500 counterfeit hryvnia banknotes worth UAH 3.6 million were withdrawn from circulation in 2017. The 200 hryvnia is the banknote most counterfeited.
