1395) "Sovka roskoshnaja" ("Staurophora celsia") Moth, Ukraine: Sterling Silver Proof (10 Hryvnia) and Cupro-nickel (2 Hryvnia) coins issued under its "Native Flora and Fauna Coin Series" by the National Bank of Ukraine:

1395) "Sovka roskoshnaja" ("Staurophora celsia") Moth, Ukraine: Sterling Silver Proof (10 Hryvnia) and Cupro-nickel (2 Hryvnia) coins issued under its "Native Flora and Fauna Coin Series" by the National Bank of Ukraine:

The National Bank of Ukraine has issued Silver Proof Coins (10 Hryvnia) and Cupro-nickel (2 Hryvnia) coins under its on-going "Native Flora and Fauna" Coin Series which depict the "sovka roshoshnaja" ("Staurophora celsia") Moth.

The Reverse of the 2 Hryvnia Cupro-nickel coin seen against a background image of the "sovka roshoshnaja" moth

The theme of the 2020 dated coins is Lepidoptera - an order of insects that includes butterflies and moths. 

Known in the Ukrainian language as "sovka roskoshnaja" and loosely translated, the name of this unusual moth means "luxury scoop".

They are found predominantly in Northern and Eastern Ukraina though the species is found in other European countries from Sweden to Romania and several countries in between. The species was first catalogued by Swedish botanist and zoologist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) in 1758, who assigned it the Latin reference of "Staurophora celsia". 

This insect has a length of about two centimetres (or about 8/10th of an inch) but its wing-span can grow to 4.5 centimetres (or 1.7 inches) across. Their distinctive wing colours consisting of sizeable green front wings and brown back wings, ensure they are usually difficult to confuse with any other species of moth.

Their life-span is not very long, from larvae to adulthood and full development, they begin their cycle usually as chrysalis - the life stage between immature and mature stages - in June and emerge as the fully developed  "sovka roskoshnaja" in September. From this stage, they will mate and reproduce by laying eggs in tall grasses before dying in October. 

The cycle will begin once again in the early summer. Due to their environment consisting of both forests and meadows, which are being reduced with human encroachment, the numbers of the "sovka roskoshnaja" are on the decrease every year.

The Coins:

The Sterling Silver Proof Coin of 10 Hryvnia:

The Reverse of the Sterling Silver Proof 10 Hryvnia Coin depicts the "Sovka roskoshnaja" moth in intricate detail along with tall grass below.

The text "STAUROPHORA CELSIA" is inscribed below, towards the left lower periphery. The inscription on the upper periphery towards the right spells "luxury scoop" (in Ukrainian).

The Obverse of the Sterling Silver Proof 10 Hryvnia Coin depicts the denomination of the coin "10 Hryvnia" (in Ukrainian) in the centre. A wreath on the outer periphery forms images of an assortment of species of flora and fauna. 

On the upper periphery is seen the State Emblem of Ukraine, while the year of issue "2020" is on the lower periphery.

The specifications of the Sterling Silver Coin are:

Denomination: 10 Hryvnia; Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 31.1 grams or 1.0 Oz; Diameter/Size: 38.6 grams; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 2,500 pieces; Minted by: Mint of Ukraine; On behalf of: The National Bank of Ukraine; Designer: Vladimir Demyanenko; Year: 2020.

The 2 Hryvnia Cupro-nickel:

 The Reverse of the Cupro-nickel 2 Hryvnia Coin is identical to the Silver Coin described above, but the design is highlighted with applied colour. 
 

The Obverse of the Cupro-nickel 2 Hryvnia Coin is also identical to the Silver Coin described above, except for the denomination "2" (described in Ukrainian).

The specifications of the Cupro-nickel Coin are:

Denomination: 2 Hryvnia; Metal Composition: Cupro-nickel; Weight: 12.8 grams; Diameter/Size: 31.0 mm; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) with applied colour; Mintage: 40,000 pieces; Minted By: Mint of Ukraine; On behalf of: The National Bank of Ukraine; Designer: Vladimir Demyanenko; Year: 2020.

Links to other posts on Ukrainian Coins/Banknotes on this Blog:

1) 100th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Revolution: A 5 Hryvnia Nickel-Silver Commemorative Coin issued by the National Bank of Ukraine on 22.03.2017

2) Ukraine: Centenary Celebrations of the first postage stamps issued in 1918, commemorated on a new Cupro-Nickel Collector Coin of 5 Hryvnia issued on 25.09.2018

3) 100th Anniversaries of both the Ukrainian Revolution (1917-1921) and introduction of the first Banknotes of an independent Ukraine (1917): A Commemorative Banknote of 100 Hryvnia issued by the National Bank of Ukraine on 17.12.2018

4) A 1,000 Hryvnia Banknote from Ukraine, to be issued by the National Bank of Ukraine: This Banknote will be a part of a family of 6 circulating Banknote and 6 Coin denominations, making for a total of 12 denominations in circulation (reduced from 17 denominations in circulation at present): Banknote issue date: 25.10.2019

5) Palanok Castle, Ukraine: A set of two coins in the denominations of 5 Hryvnia (Cupro-mickel) and 10 Hryvnia (Silver) issued by the National Bank of Ukraine commemorating one of Ukraine's most well known landmarks: Coin issue date: 26.02.2019

6) Zolochiv Castle, Ukraine: "Architectural Monuments" Commemorative Coin Series features the historic castle: A 5 Hryvnia (Cupro-nickel) and 10 Hryvnis (Silver) Coin issued by the National Bank of Ukraine, minted by the Ukrainian Mint: YEar of Coin issue: 2020

7) "Sovka roskoshnaja" ("Staurophora celsia") Moth, Ukraine: Sterling Silver Proof (10 Hryvnia) and Cupro-nickel (2 Hrvynia) coins issued under its "Native Flora and Fauna Coin Series" by the National Bank of Ukraine