The Oslo Numismatic Society produced a unique coin for its 50th anniversary. On its obverse, among other things, there is a coin of Prince Yaroslav (1019–1054) with a trident. Three hundred such coins were produced, and the main designer, Kjetil Kvist, gave one of them, number 242, to the National Museum of the History of Ukraine. He presented it during his visit to Kyiv in April.

The coin is made of silver. It was minted at the Norwegian Mint on December 21, 2022. The coin was issued on the Pacific island of Niue, which allows private entities to issue coins under license.

The obverse of the coin features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, as Niue recognizes the authority of the British monarch. Also on the obverse is the front part of a Viking ship, coins of King Harald Hardrada (1045–1066) with the triquetra symbol, and Prince Yaroslav (1019–1054) with a trident. On board, the names "Harald" and "Elisif" are written in runic letters (that's how Elizabeth, the wife of Harald Hardrada, daughter of Prince Yaroslav, is called in Norway).

On the back of the coin is a view of Oslo from 1567 (the oldest image of the city). The church on the reverse is St. Halvard's Cathedral. It fell into disrepair in the 17th century, and its ruins can still be seen in Oslo. The site is sometimes used for church services.

Kjetil Kvist created images of city views and coins. Other members of the Oslo Numismatic Society completed the depiction of the Viking ship. Ingrid Austlid Rise, a coin designer at the Norwegian Mint, corrected the design and worked out the details.

Kjetil Kvist hands over a coin for the 50th anniversary of the Oslo Numismatic Society to Olena Rodionova, head of the sector of phaleristics, medallions, and bone studies of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine

Kjetil Kvist explains the story of the coin: “In February 2022, the Oslo Numismatic Society decided to issue a coin in honor of its 50th anniversary. The decision on the image with a view of the city was made before the summer. At the same time, they adopted the idea of a Viking ship. However, no decision has yet been made regarding the images of the coins. I visited Kyiv in the summer. The city made a huge impression. Many other Norwegians and I followed the war closely and got involved in raising money and buying equipment for civilians and the military. It was important for me personally to see Ukraine and the sights of Kyiv. I also visited the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and saw the relics of Nestor - a historian whom I, a historian by education, admire."

The numismatic society decided to demonstrate the long-standing ties between Oslo and Kyiv on a coin. Kjetil Kvist explains: "The National Bank of Ukraine issued a 2-hryvnia coin in the summer in memory of Elisif, Queen of Norway. She married King Harald Hardrada, and they moved to Oslo. Harald is known as the founder of Oslo. I decided that our coin could respond to this step on the part of Ukraine - we can show with a coin that we remember the connection between Oslo and Kyiv 1000 years ago. So, as an element of communication, our coin is an act of solidarity and an object that honors the connection between our cities.”

The team of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine thanks Kjetil Kvist. We’re glad the collection has been replenished with a coin commemorating the historical contacts between Norway and Ukraine.

Such objects demonstrate Ukraine's ancient ties with Europe and help to reveal this history to the world.