Ivan Aivazovsky, painter of seascapes and battle scenes, native of Feodosia and generous patron of his home town, left more than six thousand canvases. In 2017, for the artist’s 200th anniversary, the National Bank of Ukraine issued this commemorative 2 hryvnia coin with his portrait.

The obverse belongs to painting itself: a stylised fragment of one of Aivazovsky’s pictures, the sea that became his central theme, beneath the small coat of arms of Ukraine and the legend «УКРАЇНА». The reverse carries his portrait, the semicircular inscription «ІВАН АЙВАЗОВСЬКИЙ», the years 1817 and 1900, and, to the right of the portrait, a reproduction of his signature, a detail worth a close look.

The coin was designed and sculpted by Sviatoslav Ivanenko. It belongs to the «Outstanding Personalities of Ukraine» series and was struck by the NBU Banknote Printing and Minting Works in special uncirculated quality, with a mintage of 35,000.

It is a strong piece for a «painting on coins» collection and for collectors of issues marking artists’ anniversaries: Aivazovsky’s bicentenary was marked on coins beyond Ukraine as well, and the Ukrainian version with its stylised seascape stands out in that theme. UNC condition: the coin has never circulated; the souvenir package protects its fields and relief.

A collectable coin from VPcoins can be an addition to your own collection or a meaningful gift.