New silver coin launch by Bank of Russia, honoring the region of Kamchatka
Hitting the Jackpot in Kamchatka Krai
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky NewsHistorical NuggetMarch 26, 2025, a golden commemorative coin celebrating the 300th anniversary of Vitus Bering's First Kamchatka Expedition set sail in Russia, according to "Kamchatka Life" publication.
A Closer Look:
- The obverse showcases the Russian Federation's coat of arms, the Bank of Russia inscription, the coin's denomination (three rubles), and the year of issuance;
- The reverse highlights the expedition route, the "Saint Gabriel" boat, a stylish wind rose, and inscriptions "Bot St. Gabriel" and "First Kamchatka Expedition of V. Bering".
Coin production count: 3,000 pieces, boasting the status of legal tender.
Digging Deeper:
The expedition, organized in 1725 under the direction of Tsar Peter the Great, aimed to forge ahead from Russian outposts along the Kamchatka Peninsula, charting uncharted territories and ascertaining whether Asia and America could be connected through land.
The Danish-Russian mariner, Vitus Bering, was selected to spearhead this adventure. Facing rough seas, they battled food shortages and numerous other hardships during their perilous voyage. In 1728, Bering confirmed the sea as a barrier between Asia and America, while attempting to navigate the North Pacific Coast of Kamchatka[1].
This expedition paved the way for more Russian exploration and expansion in the region, introducing new geographic knowledge about the Northern Pacific and grueling the groundwork for Russia's assertion over the Kamchatka Peninsula[2].
The success of the expedition saw Bering promoted in rank and status, as well as earning nobility honors for taking Russia’s exploration to new heights[1].
This commemorative coin celebrates a significant event in Russian and international history, marking 300 years since the start of Bering's groundbreaking journey that gave birth to new geographical understanding about the Northern Pacific region and established the basis for Russia’s influence along the Kamchatka Peninsula and beyond[3].
In essence, this coin honors Bering’s critical role in expanding geographic knowledge and the legacy of Russian exploration[4].
*Fact in Focus:
- Bering’s First Kamchatka Expedition, commissioned by Tsar Peter the Great in 1725, sought to map new territories and investigate land connection between Asia and America.
- In 1728, Bering delivered his report that Asian and American continents are separated by vast expanses of ocean, busting the myth of a land bridge.
- The expedition led to increased Russian presence and exploration in the North Pacific.
- The coin, emblematic of exploration, discovery, and historical ties to Bering’s expedition, honors the naval pioneer's triumphant voyage and its impact on Russian history.
The commemorative coin, celebrating the 300th anniversary of Vitus Bering's First Kamchatka Expedition, is a testament to the banking-and-insurance sector's role in funding significant historical events, as the Bank of Russia was responsible for its production. This coin, as a symbol of the finance industry's involvement, highlights a crucial event in Russia's industrial history.
The First Kamchatka Expedition, organized by Tsar Peter the Great and spearheaded by Vitus Bering, was not only a military endeavor, but also a venture that required substantial financial backing from the Russian banking-and-insurance sector, paving the way for future connections between industries in Russia and beyond.
