Four months ago, I joined the International Bank Note Society (IBNS), and this time has been incredibly productive and filled with new opportunities. Just a month after joining, I was offered the position of Vice President of the Ukrainian branch of IBNS, and I gladly accepted this challenge.
During this short period, I have managed to implement a number of important initiatives aimed at the development of banknote collecting in Ukraine, strengthening the IBNS community, and my personal growth as a collector.
Achievements over 4 months
- Implementation of the "Banknote of the Year – Ukrainian Choice" project
One of the most important steps was the creation and implementation of the "Banknote of the Year – Ukrainian Choice" project, which received the support of 86% of IBNS Ukraine members. This project aims to:
- promote the international "Banknote of the Year" competition among Ukrainian collectors,
- increase the recognition of IBNS Ukraine,
- attract new members to our community.
- Establishing and actively managing IBNS Ukraine social media
From the very first days of my membership, I initiated and actively managed the official IBNS Ukraine profiles on Instagram and Facebook.
📌 I firmly believe that in 2025, it is impossible to develop a community without an effective online presence. Social media is not just a communication tool but also a way to attract new members, spread news, and promote banknote collecting in Ukraine and worldwide.
- Participation in the "Banknote of the Year" competition
This year, I submitted a banknote for the first time to the "Banknote of the Year" competition – the 500 bolívar banknote from Venezuela (2024 issue). I also participated in the voting, contributing to the selection of the best banknote in the world.
- Restoring the IBNS Twitter (X) profile
I decided to restore the official IBNS profile on Twitter (X) after a three-year hiatus. This was an important step, as social media helps make the community more open, accessible, and engaging for a wider audience of collectors.
- Expanding my personal banknote collection
Over these four months, I added 34 new banknotes from the "Banknote of the Year" list to my collection. This has increased my thematic collection to 87 items, marking significant progress in my collecting journey.
- Working on reforming the "Banknote of the Year" competition at the international level
I submitted an update to the "Banknote of the Year" project to the IBNS Region 5 Director. The matter is still under review, but I am actively working to make this competition even better and more representative on a global scale.
- Writing analytical and educational articles
During this period, I have written:
- 9 articles about new banknote issues – detailed reviews of recent banknote releases.
- 3 articles useful for all collectors – analytical materials and tips for banknote enthusiasts.
Conclusion
These four months have been extremely productive and eventful. IBNS is not just a community but a space for growth, opportunities, and the realization of ambitious ideas. My goal is to contribute to the promotion of banknote collecting, the development of IBNS in Ukraine, and the improvement of the international community.
This is just the beginning of a great journey, and I am confident that even greater achievements lie ahead!
Together, we are shaping the future of banknote collecting!
Vitalii Cherniuk
IBNS member 13299-R
