Part of Russia's early post-Soviet commemorative program, this piece marks the 250th anniversary of the Bering-Chirikov expedition of 1741, during which Alexei Chirikov aboard the St. Paul and Vitus Bering aboard the St. Peter became the first Europeans to make landfall on the Alaskan coast. The two ships separated in fog and never rejoined — Bering died on the return voyage, stranded on the island that now bears his name.
Part of Russia's early post-Soviet commemorative program, this piece marks the 250th anniversary of the Bering-Chirikov expedition of 1741, during which Alexei Chirikov aboard the St. Paul and Vitus Bering aboard the St. Peter became the first Europeans to make landfall on the Alaskan coast. The two ships separated in fog and never rejoined — Bering died on the return voyage, stranded on the island that now bears his name.