The obverse features Ukraine's Small Coat of Arms and the National Bank inscription. The central design shows Saint Sophia Cathedral's XIth-century model against its cupolas, with the denomination "50 ГРИВЕНЬ" above and the issue year "2011" below, set against ornamental patterns from the cathedral's murals.
Conventionalized details from the 11th-century "Eucharist" and "Orans" mosaics near the cathedral altar, with the gilded omophor of the Blessed Virgin and the inscription "ТИСЯЧОЛІТТЯ СОФІЇ КИЇВСЬКОЇ" above.