NBU plans to replace "kopeks" with new "historically fair" coins.

The National Bank of Ukraine announced an initiative to change the name of the small denomination coin from kopek to shag. The head of the National Bank, Andriy Pyshnyy, stated that this decision stems from the study of the history of currency circulation in Ukraine. The name "kopek" is a symbol of Moscow's occupation, so the NBU decided to purify monetary sovereignty from its association with Russia. The name "shag" was used in the territory of Ukraine in the past and has no analogs in other languages. Restoring this name is important from a historical and linguistic perspective. The NBU has already developed proposals for legislative changes and is ready to mint and introduce small denomination coins called shag. The ratio between the kopek and the shag will be 1:1, ensuring a smooth transition for citizens. Both the kopek and shag coins will circulate in parallel for a seamless transition to the new system.