posted 05-11-2004 10:24 PM               

This was my first time seeing such a medallion and given its connection to the Mercury Monument at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, it piqued my curiosity (as it did the owner). Does anyone know more about its minting? How many were produced? How were they distributed (sold? gifted?)? Any and all information would be appreciated.

posted 05-11-2004 11:13 PM               

For decades they made two medallions a year designed by famous artists. They've also made numerous commemorative medallions honoring various space missions and other historic events. Most are 2 1/2 to 3 1/2" in diameter cast in bronze and on occasion silver.

posted 05-18-2004 04:33 PM               

But only the faces of the original first seven astronauts was sculptured especially for the Project Mercury monument at the Cape's Pad 14 site by Ralph Menconi of New York City. A prize-winning artist, he was director of the Municipal Art Society of New York City and a member of the National Sculpture Society.

The overall medallion was conceived and designed by the General Dynamics Corp. in cooperation with NASA and the U.S. Air Force. About 200(+) of them were presented to congressional, government and industry leaders who performed extraordinary roles in the success of the initial U.S. man-in-space orbital program.

Struck in limited quantity of gold, silver and bronze, the medallion(s) is a replica copy of the original, 2.5 feet in diameter, which is a major part of the Project Mercury monument itself. It was unveiled Nov. 10, 1964, at then-Cape Kennedy, FL, now the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.