Part 1 of this four-part series examines the monetary histories of Ukraine and Israel, focusing on how each nation established its own currency after periods of foreign domination and how each has honoured the other through banknotes and commemorative coins.
It describes the creation of the Ukrainian hryvnia and the Israeli shekel, the secrecy surrounding early banknote production, the ancient origins of both currency names, and the historical connections reflected in Jewish contributions to Ukraine and Ukrainian influences in Israel.
It also notes the appearance of Yiddish on Ukrainian currency during the 1917–1920 period and highlights several distinguished figures from Ukrainian territories commemorated on Israeli banknotes and coins, with Ukraine reciprocating through modern commemorative issues.
Originally published in 2020; updated for re-release.
Transcript at the Nash Holos blog here.
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