Ukrainian shah
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2022) |
Shah (Ukrainian: шаг) was the name of several currencies used in Ukraine. The name derives from shilling via shelyag (Polish: szeląg). The forms shahy (шаги, for 2 to 4) and shahiv (шагiв, for five or more) are declensional plurals of the noun used in denominations, for example, 2 shahy, 20 shahiv.
17th-19th centuries[edit]
Ukrainian-speakers used the term shah to refer to the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth's silver coin of 17th-18th centuries with face value of 3 grosz, coined from 1528, and especially during the times of Sigismund III Vasa (ruled Poland–Lithuania from 1587 to 1632). Later, when the Ukrainian lands came increasingly under the influence of Russia, the name was transferred to the Russian copper coin of 2 kopecks. From 1839, when the Russian Empire extended its silver coinage, the term shah was transferred to the silver ½-kopeck. This term for the kopeck remained in use until 1917.[citation needed]
Early 20th century[edit]
In 1917, banknotes were introduced in the newly independent Ukraine. These were denominated in shah, hryvnia and karbovanets, with 100 shahiv = 1 hryvnia and 2 hryvni = 1 karbovanets.
At the beginning of the 20th century, during World War I (1914–1918), many countries issued currency in the form of stamps. It was done similarly in early independent Ukrainian states: in West Ukrainian National Republic and Ukrainian People's Republic. There, these money stamps were called shahivky (шагiвки, singular: шагiвка, shahivka). Stamps in denominations of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 shahiv were issued.[1]
These shahivki were printed on perforated 11 ½ card stock, due to a shortage of metals needed for the war effort at the time. Each currency stamp was inscribed on the reverse with a tryzub (trident) and with some words stating that these shahivki circulate in lieu of coins and that they are prohibited to be used as stamps. However, they do appear on some postal envelopes as there was an acute deficiency of "true" stamps. Nevertheless, on July 18, 1918, the independent Ukrainian government authorized its first set of stamp issues, also called shahivki and having nearly identical designs.
The 10 and 20-shah stamps issues of Ukrainian People's Republic were designed by the artist Anton Sereda and the 30, 40, and 50-shah stamps by Heorhiy Narbut, a master graphic artist and president of the Ukrainian Academy of Arts in Kyiv.
Late 20th century[edit]
In 1992, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union after which the newly independent Ukraine was able to choose its own currency, trial runs of coins of 1 shah and 50 shahiv were issued, but were not approved. Therefore, the kopiyka (копійка) was confirmed as a numismatic term for Ukrainian currency, despite nationalistic sentiments that kopiyka (Ukrainian for Russian kopeyka) is a Russian term.
See also[edit]
- Postage stamps and postal history of Ukraine
- Ukrainian hryvnia, the national currency of Ukraine since 1996
- Ukrainian karbovanets, currency of Ukraine during three separate periods
- Economy of Ukraine
References[edit]
- ^ Sholohon, Lilіia (2022-06-15). "PHILATELY AS A SPECIAL HISTORICAL DISCIPLINE (ON THE EXAMPLES PRODUCTION AND USE OF STAMPS DURING THE UKRAINIAN REVOLUTION OF 1917–1921)". Grail of Science (14–15): 621–626. doi:10.36074/grail-of-science.27.05.2022.114. ISSN 2710-3056. S2CID 249735013.
External links[edit]
- Chernoivanenko, Vitaliy. History of paper money in Ukraine (1917–1920) in Zerkalo Nedeli, September 22–28, 2001. Available in Russian and Ukrainian
- History of Ukrainian money in Zerkalo Nedeli, September 2–8, 2006. Available in Russian and Ukrainian