The Hryvnia, also spelled sometimes as Hryvna or Grivna (UHR) was introduced September 2, 1996 by the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU). It replaces the old 'Coupon' (or 'Karbovanets') which was a temporary currency used in Ukraine during the period of separation from the rouble zone. Coupons were later exchanged at the fixed rate of 100,000 coupons to 1 Hryvnia and as of September 15, 1997 the Hryvnia remains the only legal tender in Ukraine.
There are bills for 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Hryvnias. There are coins called 'kopiyka' for 1, 2 ,5 10, 25, and 50 kopiykas. (1 kopiyka is equal to 1/100 of Hryvnia.) Alo there are 1, 2 and 5 Hryvnia coins as well as some commemorative collectible coins.
Bills of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 Hryvnias marked with year 1992 where designed and printed in Canada. 1 Hryvnia (alternative design), 50 and 100 Hryvnias banknotes were designed and printed by an English company called De La Rue in 1994.
Starting from September 1, 1997 the new design of 2, 5, 10 and 20 Hryvnia bills was released to increase their protection from falsification. New bills slowly replaced old ones while those were still be valid. These new bills were designed in Ukraine and printed on the new factory of the National Bank of Ukraine built in cooperation with abovementioned De La Rue company.
