Issued by the National Bank of Ukraine on 27 April 2026, the "Chornobyl. Revival. The Bison" 5 Hryvnia coin is dedicated to one of Europe's rarest mammals and its unexpected return to the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. Listed as an endangered species in Ukraine since 1980, the European bison plays a significant role in maintaining biodiversity by shaping vegetation and dispersing seeds across large territories.

The coin forms part of the Chornobyl. Revival series, which explores the transformation of the exclusion zone into a unique ecological environment. The presence of bison in the Chornobyl area was first documented in 2012, and subsequent monitoring has confirmed the species' continued expansion throughout the reserve. Although an international conservation programme aimed at restoring the population was planned for 2022, its implementation was interrupted by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The obverse features a symbolic "wheel of life" composition centred around a stylised radiation sign intertwined with leaves and surrounded by wildlife species that have established stable populations within the biosphere reserve. The reverse presents a colour-printed European bison against a landscape backdrop, accompanied by a depiction of a bison calf, emphasizing both survival and population recovery.

Struck in German silver and issued in Special Uncirculated quality, the coin is presented in an official booklet. With a mintage of only 20,000 pieces, it is among the lower-mintage Ukrainian commemorative issues of 2026 and represents the final release in the highly sought-after Chornobyl. Revival series.

Specifications

• Country: Ukraine
• Issuer: National Bank of Ukraine
• Series: Chornobyl. Revival
• Theme: The Bison
• Denomination: 5 Hryvnias
• Year: 2026
• Issue Date: 27 April 2026
• Metal: German Silver
• Weight: 16.54 g
• Diameter: 35 mm
• Quality: Special Uncirculated
• Edge: Corrugated
• Painter: Nataliia Fandikova
• Sculptors: Anatolii Demianenko, Volodymyr Demianenko
• Packaging: Official Booklet
• Mintage: 20,000

Collector Highlights

• Official National Bank of Ukraine issue
• Final release in the Chornobyl. Revival series
• Limited mintage of only 20,000 pieces
• Colour-printed European bison design
• Focus on wildlife recovery in the Chornobyl Biosphere Reserve
• Special Uncirculated collector finish
• Official booklet packaging
• Strong appeal for wildlife, environmental, and modern Ukrainian coin collections