This is reported by RBK-Ukraine, referencing a professional opinion from the Expert Commission of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory regarding the classification of objects related to the symbolism of Russian imperial policy. This information is shared by Kontrakty.UA.
According to the conclusion, historically, "shag" was the name of a change coin that was in circulation in Ukraine during the 17th and 18th centuries. It has been mentioned repeatedly not only in written sources but also in literature and folklore.
Experts emphasize that the term "shag" is exclusively characteristic of the territory of modern Ukraine and is in no way connected to the Moscow Kingdom or the Russian Empire.
"During the second half of the 17th and 18th centuries, Muscovy sought to impose its own currency system on the Hetmanate, particularly the 'kopeika' (Ukr. копійка, borrowed from Russian, the name originated from the phrase копейная деньга копійка, on which a grand duke (tsar) was depicted riding a horse with a spear in hand) as a retail coin, thereby displacing the traditional Western European currency that was used in Ukrainian monetary circulation. Alongside the destruction of Ukrainian statehood, the Russian Empire was able to realize this plan in the sphere of currency circulation," the document states.
The revival of the name of the change coin "shag" occurred during the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917-1921, when the Central Rada approved the currency unit hryvnia, which consisted of 100 shags (change notes with denominations of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 shags were put into circulation).
After the restoration of the Ukrainian state on August 24, 1991, the idea to revive "shag" as a change coin emerged. Between 1991 and 1992, projects and sketches of banknotes and coins were developed (including sketches for change coins of 1, 5, 10, and 25 shags, and experimental minting of coins was conducted). However, due to the predominance of deputies with a Soviet worldview in the Ukrainian Parliament, in 1992, the Verkhovna Rada approved the name "kopeika" for the change coin, which is characteristic of the currency system of the Moscow Kingdom, the Russian Empire, the USSR, and the Russian Federation, the experts note.
"Thus, the change coin 'kopeika', known in Ukrainian lands since the mid-17th century, displaced the traditional coin that was used in Ukrainian monetary circulation, including under the name 'shag', during the 18th century. This was a consequence of the implementation of Russian imperial policy. Therefore, the name 'kopeika' politically, economically, and semantically belongs to symbols associated with the realization of Russian imperial policy in Ukraine and colonial heritage," the conclusion states.
We remind you that the National Bank of Ukraine initiated the change of the name of change coins from "kopeika" to "shag".
In October 2024, the NBU submitted a package of draft laws regarding the renaming of the change coin from kopeika to shag. The NBU will be able to introduce new coins with a denomination of 50 shags instead of 50 kopeikas.
The renaming of change coins from kopeikas to shags may occur in 2025, pending approval by the Verkhovna Rada. The NBU will ensure a transition that will incur no costs.