The state emblem on the obverse depicts a trident, surrounded by an heraldic lion and a Cossack with a musket. The oldest examples of the trident discovered by archeologists on Ukrainian territory date back to the 1st century ad. At that time the trident probably served as a symbol of power in one of the tribes that later became part of the Ukrainian people. The trident first appeared on gold and silver coins issued by Prince Volodymyr the Great (980 - 1015), who perhaps inherited the symbol from his ancestors as a dynastic coat of arms, and passed it on to his sons.

The Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) appears on the reverse superimposed on a map of the country; the dual date 1991-2001 is below. The silver coin also features a colored holographic image of a solar cross between the years.

The 20 hryvnia coin contains 67.2 gm. of sterling (925 fine) silver (net weight of 2 oz. pure silver), the 10 hryvnia coin contains 3.88 gm. of 900 fine gold, and the 5 hryvnia coin contains 16.54 gm. of copper-nickel. Mintages are limited to only 1,000 silver, 3,000 gold and 100,000 copper-nickel coins. The silver and gold proof coins come in protective capsules and are housed in velvet presentation cases with certificates of authenticity; the copper-nickel coins come in protective capsules.

Prepared by Mel Wacks