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  Skylab 1 Robbins: value and certification?

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Author Topic:   Skylab 1 Robbins: value and certification?
Space Shuttle Endeavour
unregistered
posted 09-21-2013 03:08 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have this Skylab 1 Robbins medal. How would I know if it is flown? Also, how much would it be worth with NGC certification or without? Also, if I had Paul Weitz verify it, would it substantially increase the price? Thanks.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-21-2013 03:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Every Robbins medal is serialized (numbered). For the Skylab I (SL-2) medals, all flown silver medals have a number 1 through 50 followed by the letter "F" on the rim. If your medallion is numbered 51 through 300 (and lacks an "F"), it didn't fly.

And unless the medal originated from Weitz's collection, there's little reason he would (or need to) certify it.

With regards to value and slabbing, just one example, but a slabbed unflown Skylab I medal offered in 2010 and a unslabbed unflown Skylab I medal offered in 2012 sold for the exact same $418.25 at Heritage Auctions...

4allmankind
Member

Posts: 1043
From: Dallas
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 09-21-2013 05:37 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for 4allmankind   Click Here to Email 4allmankind     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Great answer above but it's also worth pointing out that the 50 examples flown represents the lowest pre-shuttle number of any flight. A flown Robbins from Skylab 1 (II) is quite a nice piece and much needed by anyone wishing to complete an Apollo 7- ASTP set. I've paid attention to flown Robbins sales for over a decade and think I've only seen 5 or so.

Because of that, flown medallions from Skylab 1 are in my opinion a real sleeper in terms of value. They won't ever hit Apollo 11 or 17 numbers for obvious reasons but it's a highly prized flight based on rarity alone.

Space Shuttle Endeavour
unregistered
posted 09-28-2013 12:18 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks for the responses. It does not have an F on the rim but right before sterling it has an R. I think the number is in the 800s.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-28-2013 12:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Are you sure what you have is a Robbins medal? There were only 300 Skylab I Robbins medals minted.

Space Shuttle Endeavour
unregistered
posted 09-28-2013 01:16 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yes. It looks exactly like a Robbins Medal. It has all the dates on the back. It is Skylab II. The first manned mission, not the deployment.

rjurek349
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Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 09-28-2013 02:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for rjurek349   Click Here to Email rjurek349     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I believe the "R" stands for remake or restrike. I believe there were re-strikes of Apollo 7. This is the first I've heard of a re-strike of a Skylab. In my mind, the value of an unflown, would be in the $250-$500 range, depending. A restrike (if, and I emphasize if, that is the case here.)

Space Shuttle Endeavour
unregistered
posted 09-28-2013 02:53 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
What do you mean by restrike? Does it mean it was not an official medal? It was numbered.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

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From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-28-2013 03:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Space Shuttle Endeavour:
I think the number is in the 800s.
Do you have the medal available to inspect? Before speculating further, perhaps you can get it back out and verify the specific number.

Space Shuttle Endeavour
unregistered
posted 09-28-2013 03:09 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It is 866.

rjurek349
Member

Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
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posted 09-28-2013 03:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for rjurek349   Click Here to Email rjurek349     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
As Robert mentioned, a picture would be better. See this site for why on your specific medal and the known populations.

And I apologize for my earlier comment on the "r" - it doesn't necessarily mean restrike. That was an error on my part.

Ken Havekotte
Member

Posts: 2914
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 09-28-2013 03:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ken Havekotte   Click Here to Email Ken Havekotte     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I don't think its a Robbins with such a high number, however, there were numerous different medallion productions made from the Apollo/Skylab era, with most being commercial coin/medallion souvenirs. Can a scan be posted?

Space Shuttle Endeavour
unregistered
posted 09-28-2013 04:19 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

Greggy_D
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Posts: 977
From: Michigan
Registered: Jul 2006

posted 09-28-2013 05:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Greggy_D   Click Here to Email Greggy_D     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Are you able to take a pic of the edge which shows the serial number?

Space Shuttle Endeavour
unregistered
posted 09-28-2013 05:41 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
All the rim says is on one side "R Sterling" and on the other side it says 866.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-28-2013 05:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Given the tarnish to the medal, is it at all possible you're reading a 2 as an 8, as in 266?

Space Shuttle Endeavour
unregistered
posted 09-28-2013 06:11 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It could be possible. If this is 266, is it flown?

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-28-2013 06:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Can you share a photo of the rim and its serial number?

And no, as noted above, only numbers 1 through 50 flew, and all were marked with an additional "F" denotation. Medals numbered 51 through 300 remained on Earth.

All times are CT (US)

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