A coiled Nikolsky’s adder, or forest-steppe viper — one of Ukraine’s venomous snakes and listed in the national Red Data Book — appears on this 2025 «5 karbovantsiv» souvenir piece from the «Fauna of Ukraine» series.

The snake is shown in colour against dry grass and stones, with the Latin «VIPERA NIKOLSKII VEDMEDERJA» and the Ukrainian «ГАДЮКА ЛІСОСТЕПОВА» around it. The other side shows the small coat of arms of Ukraine, «УКРАЇНА», a large «5», «КАРБОВАНЦІВ» and the date «2025» within a wreath of plants and berries.

Adult Nikolsky’s adders are almost entirely black with glossy scales, while the young are greyish-brown and darken with age; they reach 76 cm. The species keeps to the forest-steppe of eastern Ukraine — the oak woods of the Sumy, Poltava and Kharkiv regions — favours woodland edges near water and swims well. It is in the Red Data Book of Ukraine because of its limited range. The piece itself is a private issue, not a National Bank of Ukraine coin: the face value is nominal and carries no legal tender status.

The adder adds to the series on Ukraine’s wildlife and to a collection of reptiles. Condition UNC — no wear.

VPcoins is a shop for those who collect not only coins but also medals and banknotes.