History and numismatics. Historical events on Russian (Russian) coins. The Gangut battle. (50/50)

During the reign of Emperor Peter I, approximately since 1697, Russia was intensively looking for the possibility of direct access to the Baltic Sea, where the Swedes dominated. As part of the Northern Union (Created on the initiative of Peter I in 1700. It included Denmark, Saxony, the Russian kingdom, Rzeczpospolita), Russia entered the war with Sweden. After several quick defeats, the Union disintegrated, and until its restoration (1709), Russia fought with the Swedes almost alone ... After the victory of Russia in the Battle of Poltava, the Northern Union was restored to more favorable conditions for Russia.

By 1714 the Russian army had seized almost the whole of Finland, but in order to consolidate the exit to the Baltic coast, it was necessary to defeat the Swedish navy. The Swedes had an overwhelming advantage at sea. Their sailing ships were equipped with powerful artillery, while Russia was dominated by rowing ships (galleys) with very weak armament (1-2 guns). Nevertheless, the Russian fleet under the command of General-Admiral Count Fedor Matveyevich Apraksin on July 27 (August 7) ​​off the coast of Gangut entered the battle with the Swedes. After the brilliantly conducted fraudulent maneuver, which deprived Swedes of the advantage in firepower, Russian rowing ships were able to engage in close combat, and the enemy ships one by one were boarded. Tsar Peter personally participated in this boarding attack and for showing courage was promoted to vice admirals ...
This victory finally consolidated the status of Russia as a naval power and ended with the rule of the Swedes in the Baltic.

In September 1714, in honor of the victory of the Russian fleet at Gangut in St. Petersburg, festive events took place. All participants of the battle were awarded commemorative medals "For victory at Gangut", minted in gold and silver. Silver crews of ships and army landing troops were awarded. Gold medals (worth of gold content in 100,70,45,30,11 and 7 chervonets) were awarded to the entire officer staff. Together with the gold medal was awarded the Order of St. Andrew.

In honor of the victory of the Russian fleet in St. Petersburg was laid Panteleimonovskaya church. The present building of the church of later construction (1735-1739) is in the same place as the church built under Peter I.

In 1914, at the direction of Emperor Nicholas II, on the eve of the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Russian Navy, a commemorative silver coin worth 1 ruble "In commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Gangut battle" was struck. The circulation of the coin was 30300 copies.

Photos from the catalog of AD "Alexander", auction # 31

In 1996, the Central Bank of Russia issued a commemorative coin in honor of the 300th anniversary of the Russian Navy. The plot on the coin is dedicated to the Gangut battle and the personality of General-Admiral F.M. Apraksina. The coin is worth 25 rubles. Material - silver of 925 tests.

I hope, friends, that this small historical and numismatic survey will be of interest to you ...