The obverse features Ukraine's Small Coat of Arms and the inscription "National Bank of Ukraine." The central octagonal cartouche depicts the Bank's emblem: two griffins guarding a hryvnia, symbolizing the protection and growth of the nation's gold reserves. Also shown are the coin's face value, issue year, metal, fineness, and weight.
The Taxiarch Archangel Michael (Archistrategos), a patron of warriors and the suffering. The circular inscription, from Shevchenko's "Haydamaks," reads: "FOR US AND SOULS OF RIGHTEOUS MEN, AND ARCHISTRATEGOS MICHAEL'S STRENGTH."
Inscription:
...ЗА НАС І ДУШІ ПРАВЕДНИХ, І СИЛА АРХІСТРАТИГА МИХАЇЛА...
Translation:
...FOR US AND THE SOULS OF THE RIGHTEOUS, AND THE POWER OF THE ARCHISTRATIG MICHAEL...