Product Description
This is a privately minted proof-like prototype of the Apollo 11 Space-Flown Robbins Medallion Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Historic Apollo 11 Moon Landing. On July 20, 1969, America and the world watched as United Stated Astronauts took mankind's first steps on the lunar surface.
In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the first manned landing on the Moon, each medallion has been meticulously sculpted with the Original Concept Apollo 11 Mission Insignia, Surnames of the Flight Crew, and Mission Dates that the Apollo 11 Launched, Landed, and Returned. Each Commemorative Medallion is a full 1 OUNCE and clad in BLACK RUTHENIUM with Genuine 24 Karat Gold Highlights. Size is 1.50" (39 mm). Starting with Apollo 7, the Robbins Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts began working with one or more astronauts from each mission to design and strike medallions that would travel aboard their flights into space. Paid for by the crews and available for purchase only by NASA astronauts and members of the Astronaut Flight Office (AFO) support crew, these sterling silver mementos usually had very limited mintages of only 100 to 450 medals per mission. Today, these prized medals sell for tens of thousands of dollars at auction.
The original NASA space-flown Apollo Medallions were mission-specific commemorative medallions, often astronaut designed, which were approved by NASA and carried aboard the mission spacecraft by the astronauts into orbit. In 1968, the first commemorative medallions where manufactured beginning with Apollo 7. One (or more) of the astronauts from the flight crew worked on designing their mission medallions. The basic elements of the medallion design are consistent throughout the Project Apollo series. The main design element along with the mission name is located on the obverse. The names of the flight crew can be found on either the obverse or reverse. The mission dates are located on the reverse. Beginning with Apollo 11, special fields were designed for the reverse of the medallion that allowed for engraved dates of launch, lunar landing and return. The medallions were stored in the Command Service Module during flight and on missions involving a lunar landing.
A small number were brought to the lunar surface aboard the Lunar Module. Coin collectors, history buffs, fans of space and science, and people who enjoy owning pieces of Americana will all be clamoring for this LIMITED EDITION historic medal.
