2 hryven UKRAINE 2022 - Yelysaveta Yaroslavna (Ellisif of Kyiv)
Internal information
Description:
This coin commemorates a Kiev princess, the eldest daughter of Yaroslav the Wise, under whose rule the state of Kiev Rus reached the peak of its power and who, for diplomatic purposes, concluded dynastic marriages that cemented foreign political alliances and raised the state prestige. In 1044, Yelysaveta became the wife of the Norwegian king Harald Sigurdsson, who during his first visits to Kiev had fallen in love with the princess and, having gained fame and treasure, remarried her. In her second marriage, Yelysaveta Yaroslavna married the King of Denmark Sweyn II Estridsson after the death of Harald, who was killed in battle. The main sources containing information about Yelysaveta are the Icelandic sagas, Western European chronicles and Harald's own poems, which he composed in honor of Yaroslav's daughter.
Obverse: above, on a plain background is the small coat of arms of Ukraine; an ornament with an interwoven trident, decorating an inlaid iron ax dating from the 10th to 13th centuries, is in the center; To the right and left are stylized ornaments typical of medieval Scandinavia and Kievan Rus', which underlines (Below); the mint mark of the NBU banknote printing and minting works (on the left in the background of the ornament).
Reverse: there is a stylized image of Yelysaveta Yaroslavna against the background of a decorative frieze with Scandinavian wood and stone carving patterns illustrating the military and poetic talents of her husband Harald Sigurdsson; and legends in the style of ancient Norse runes reading: ?????
