Ukraine - Travel/Philately/Numismatics/Memorabilia Profile

Ukraine, a country in the East of Europe bordered by Russian Federation, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, the Black Sea, and Sea of Azov has a total land area of 233,090 square miles and a population of around 45.9 million. Ukraine is a beautiful country, with diverse geographic features ranging from highlands to lowlands, deltas, mountains, and waterfalls. Its economy went on a tailspin many times following its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. It is regarded as a developing country with mastery in all types of transportation vehicles and spacecrafts. It is committed to scientific space exploration and remote sensing missions. In spite of its abundant natural resources and cutting edge technological know-how, experts believe an overhaul of economic and legal laws are required before the country can really take flight.

Travel Resources: 

May through August is considered the best time to visit Ukraine with July and August being the peak season. Ukraine is among the top ten tourist destinations of the world. It offers a pleasing palette to its visitors. The Carpathian Mountains offers skiing, hiking, fishing and hunting options and the Black Sea provides a respite from the summer heat. Other attractions include rugged mountains, vineyards, ruins of ancient castles, historical parks, churches, mosques and synagogues. The feather in Keiv’s cap is Saint Sophia Cathedral. The country has its own Seven Wonders of Ukraine (historical and cultural monuments) - National dendrology park "Sofiyivka", National Kyiv-Pechersk Historic-Cultural Preserve, National Historic-Architectural Preserve "Kamianets", National Historic-Cultural Preserve "Khortytsia", National Preserve "Khersones Tavriysky", National Historic-Cultural Preserve "Sofia Kyivska",National Historical-Architectural Preserve "Khotynska Fortetsia". Traditional dishes are based on meat, seafood, mushrooms, potatoes, grains, and vegetables. Popular dishes are varenyky (dumplings), borscht (soup) and holubtsky (stuffed cabbage rolls). Visitors often try their signature pieces - the chicken Kiev, the Kiev cake and horilka (local whisky).

Resource	ISBN or ASIN	Best Price	Description
Ukraine Bradt Travel Guide	978-1841623115	$18	Best Travel Guide for Ukraine! Part I is a traveler’s introduction spanning 110 pages. Part II has chapters on Kiev, Polissya, Podillya, Galicia and Volhynia, The Carpathians, The Black Sea, Crimea, The Dnepr, Donbas, and Sloboda.
Ukraine Travel Map	978-1553414469	$12	1:1,000,000 Scale.
Ukraine Grounded Adapter Plug - GUB	B004DRYKI4	$8

Philatelic Profile:

The first stamps of Ukraine were a set of five stamps released in July of 1918 typographed in single colors. The set (Scott #1 to #5) is remarkably inexpensive and catalogs for around a dollar mint or used. The designs show Republic’s Trident Emblem, Ukrainian peasant, Allegorical of Ukraine, Trident, and a Numeral (50) design. Stamps of Russia with the Trident overprint were the main issues of Ukraine during the period till 1920. The most valuable set among them was a set of three stamps that were Postal Savings Bank Stamps that were used and accepted as postage stamps during stamp shortages. The set (Scott #45 to #47) catalogs for around $10 mint and around $285 used. Ukraine became independent from the Russian Empire in 1918 but was again occupied in 1920. From that point on and until the recreation of Ukraine in 1991, Soviet stamps were used.

Other issues of Ukraine enjoying good philatelic interest include:

1. A set of two stamps released on March 1, 1992 that formed the first issues of Independent Ukraine after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The set (Scott #100 to #101) catalogs for around a dollar MNH or used. The designs show Cossacks in Ukraine and Ukrainian Emigration to Canada allegories. Ukrainian Diaspora in Canada amounts to over a million people, the third largest behind USA and Russia. Immediately after independence, significant migration took place – over two million migrated to Ukraine and over two-and-a-half million emigrated from Ukraine. Immigrants constitute around 15% of the total population in Ukraine.
2. A sheet of six stamps released on May 8, 1998 showing Coins. The set (Scott #300a-f) catalogs for around $8 MNH or used. The designs show Gold Coin from the 11th Century, Silver Coin from the 11th century, Saint Sophia Cathedral Gold Coin, Taras Shevchenko Gold Coin, Bohdan Khmelnytsky Silver Coin, and Petro Mohyla Silver Coin.
3. A horizontal strip of two stamps released on May 20, 2005 in the Europa theme. The set (Scott #596a-b) catalogs for around $4 MNH or used. The designs show bowl of borscht, beets, onions, garlic, tomatoes, pepper, beans, lard, parsely, and dill and lidded tureen, cabbage, carrots, onion, garlic, and pepper. Ukraine has released a number of Europa stamps over the years and they trade at a slight premium over general issues from the same periods. They form a good collectible theme.

Numismatic Profile:

The first coins of Ukraine were Reform Coinage (100,000 Karbovanets = 1 Hryvnia, 100 Kopiyak = 1 Hryvnia) Brass Kopiyoks issued in 1992 showing national arms in Obverse and Value in Reverse. The issue is common and catalogs for a few dollars in UNC. The first gold coin was a 0.1 troy ounce 50 Hryven issue of 1996 with mintage of 2K showing Cathedral in Obverse and Mother of God Mossaic in Reverse. The coin trades at a good premium over bullion value.

Numismatic items of Ukraine include:

Item	Price Range	Description
Coins	$1 and up	UNC Kopiyoks from the 2000s starts around $1. Commemorative proofs from the 2000s starts around $10. Recent Kopeck Rolls, Low Mintage Bi-metal commemorative proofs, etc start around $20. Silver Proofs starts around $50. Low Mintage Silver Proofs and Gold Proofs go well into the 100s.
Paper Money	$1 and up	Common UNC Karbovanets starts around $1. UNC sets of 5-pieces or more, Consecutive Serial Number Banknote UNCs with 5-pieces or more, etc starts around $10. UNC Bundles, Early issues in VF+, etc start around $50.

Collectible Memorabilia:

Embroidery, bead-work, painting, artwork, artisanal textiles, and wood-works are some keepsakes from Ukraine.

Resource	Price Range	Description
Art	$10 and up	19th century local scenes and historically relevant photos and prints start around $10. Vintage Ex Libris Art, Costume Prints etc start around $30. Vintage Original Oil Paintings start around $50. Original Works from Ivan Sirko, Camomile Dawn, V Nesterov, etc go into the 100s.
Antiques	$5 and up	19th century maps start around $5. 18th century and prior maps, Vintage Porcelain Figures etc start around $30.
Militaria	$3 and up	Veteran WWII medals, Soviet Era Pin Badges, Army Patches etc start around $3. Army Hero Medal Orders start around $20. Missile and Anti-aircraft rocket medal orders start around $40. Ukraine-Russia Unity Medals, WWII Officers Cap Badges, etc start into the 100s.

Last Updated: 12/2015.