A new type of silver catalyst - a porous metallic block with a cellular structure (foamed silver) - has been developed and its physicochemical, structural, and mechanical properties have been optimized. A study has been made of the activity and selectivity of foamed silver catalyst in selective oxidation of methanol. The active surface of the catalyst has been studied by UV spectroscopy. It has been found that foamed silver catalyst is efficient and selective in methanol oxidation under both mild and severe conditions.