Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 2 Rubles 2000, Y# 665, Russia, Federation, Hero Cities, Smolensk
  • 2 Rubles 2000, Y# 665, Russia, Federation, Hero Cities, Smolensk
Description

Hero City is a Soviet honorary title awarded for outstanding heroism during World War II (Eastern Front was known in the former Soviet Union as The Great Patriotic War). It was awarded to twelve cities of the Soviet Union. According to the statute, the hero city is issued the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal.

Located on the approaches to Moscow, the city of Smolensk saw fierce fighting in the summer of 1941. German armoured divisions of Army Group Centre began an offensive on July 10, 1941 to encircle Soviet forces in the Smolensk area. Soviet resistance was strong, and several counter-attacks were conducted. The Soviets even managed to temporarily break the German encirclement and to evacuate troops out of the pocket. The battle ended in early September. The bitter fighting had considerably delayed the overall German advance toward Moscow, so that defence lines further east could be strengthened. Smolensk was awarded the title Hero City in 1985.

Date of issue: 04.05.2000

Obverse

In the centre, a little to the left denomination of the coin: the figure 2 and words under it RUBLES and BANK OF RUSSIA written horizontal, below along the rim and on the right part of the disc the stylized vegetable ornament (vine sprig) in form of a branch with two interwoven caulescents, to the right at the rim the Moscow Mint's trademark (MMD).

2
РУБЛЯ
БАНК РОССИИ
2000
ММД

Reverse

Depicts two artillerymen loading the "Katyusha" (multiple rocket launcher), to the left the Gold Star Medal. In the background outlines of the city of Smolensk. In the lower part of the ring the inscription along the rim: SMOLENSK.

The Katyusha multiple rocket launcher is a type of rocket artillery first built and fielded by the Soviet Union in World War II. Multiple rocket launchers such as these deliver explosives to a target area more quickly than conventional artillery, but with lower accuracy and requiring a longer time to reload. They are fragile compared to artillery guns but are inexpensive, easy to produce, and usable on any chassis. The Katyushas of World War II, the first self-propelled artillery mass-produced by the Soviet Union, were usually mounted on ordinary trucks. This mobility gave the Katyusha, and other self-propelled artillery, another advantage: being able to deliver a large blow all at once, and then move before being located and attacked with counter-battery fire.

Artist: A. V. Baklanov
Sculptor: A. S. Khazov

СМОЛЕНСК

Edge

2 Rubles

Y# 665 CBR# 5010-0006
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Nickel Brass
Weight 5 g
Diameter 23 mm
Thickness 1.8 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Moscow Mint (MMD)

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