Description

In 2002 the Central Bank of the Russian Federation began an annual program that each year commemorates some of their historical towns on bi-metallic 10 Ruble coins. The coins picture the city and its arms on one side and has the standard Russian 10 Ruble obverse on the other. Unlike a lot of coin programs throughout the world there is no set regularity to the number of coins released each year in this series, with some years seeing 4 coins issued and other years only 3.

Kargopol, situated on both banks of the Onega River in Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia, serves as the administrative center of Kargopolsky District. Its founding dates back to at least 1146 when it was a trade station for the Novgorod Republic. As a key trade center, it played a significant role in the 13th and 14th centuries and later provided refuge to Dmitry Shemyaka in 1447. Positioned on the historic Moscow-Arkhangelsk route, Kargopol thrived, especially with the operations of the Muscovy Company in the 16th century. Despite withstanding sieges during the Time of Troubles, Kargopol gradually declined in importance after Russia gained access to the Baltic Sea and established St. Petersburg. Notably, Alexander Baranov, the inaugural governor of Russian America (Alaska), was born in Kargopol.

Issue date: 02.10.2006