2 Hryvni Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

Issued in 2014 — the same year Russia annexed Crimea and armed conflict erupted in the Donbas — this commemorative circulating coin marking the 180th anniversary of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv appeared during one of the most politically turbulent periods in independent Ukraine's history. The university itself was founded in 1834 under Tsar Nicholas I, who imposed strict controls on its curriculum and initially banned Ukrainian language instruction entirely.

The "German silver" designation reflects a nickel-brass alloy with no actual silver content — the name derives from 19th-century German metallurgy trade terminology.