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Author
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Topic: Apollo 11 medallion minted with flown die
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Jason Katz
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 07-29-2009 10:10 AM
   
I have this medallion from 40 years ago - my grandfather gave it to me - he had worked for Grumman and had received it at some point. It says on the back: The die for this medallion was carried to the moon and back by the crew of Apollo 11 in July, 1969. It also has three signatures/names on the back of three astronauts (Armstrong, Collins, Aldrin).On the front it has the big 'A' for Apollo and it says Apollo/NASA and then around its edges: Lunar Landing, July 1969. Does anyone know if this is anything significant? Always wondered... |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 25679
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-29-2009 10:10 AM
Based on your description, I believe your medallion is the same as pictured below: If so, Swann Galleries sold one such example at auction in April 2008 for $1,200. That particular medallion however, was from astronaut Thomas Stafford's collection and included the typed letter that originally accompanied it signed by flight director Chris Kraft. Dated July 30, 1970, the letter in part read: On the Apollo 11 mission a special die was flown for later use in fabricating a commemorative medallion to be distributed to those individuals who made a significant contribution to the success of the Apollo Program. |
JTarpley
New Member Posts: 7
From: Dickinson, Texas, U.S.
Registered: Aug 2011
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posted 08-14-2011 03:47 PM
I would like to share a letter and medallion from my mother's collection. I am curious if there were only 1,000 of these given out as she had indicated on the bottom of the letter.  
Editor's note: Threads merged. |
george9785
Member Posts: 130
From: Burnaby, BC, Canada
Registered: Nov 2010
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posted 08-16-2011 11:23 PM
It's great that your mother kept that letter with the notation since I don't believe anyone here has seen anything previously that provided some evidence as to the mintage of this medallion. I believe many will also give the notation more credibility as evidence because of the further breakdown for the JSC.While it's not conclusive since there may not be anything else currently available here to provide supporting evidence, I for one would be inclined to give the numbers credence barring any new information that contradicts it. If the die wasn't destroyed however, and it was still useable, there's also the possibility that a subsequent decision might have been made to do a restrike to produce more than was originally intended. That's probably not too likely to have occurred but if it did, it would certainly throw off the numbers. One was just sold on eBay about two weeks ago for $327 (without any paperwork). Since sales for these medallions are sparse, knowledge or even assumptions of a mintage of 1,000 may help with people putting more consistent valuations on them. |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 772
From:
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 08-16-2011 11:25 PM
...and having your letter of transmital/provenance from Max Faget is just such a wonderful, added bonus! Thanks for sharing. |
JTarpley
New Member Posts: 7
From: Dickinson, Texas, U.S.
Registered: Aug 2011
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posted 08-17-2011 12:07 PM
Thanks for the information. My mother was Max Faget's secretary for many years. She was meticulous in archiving documentation so I am inclined to believe the numbers she wrote on the bottom of the letter. I have more of her Apollo and NASA related item's if anyone would be interested, I will make a new post. |
David Carey
Member Posts: 224
From:
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 08-17-2011 02:17 PM
quote:
Originally posted by JTarpley:
I have more of her Apollo and NASA related item's if anyone would be interested, I will make a new post.
It's a pretty safe bet you'll find some interested folks around here  In my view the cS community always benefits from the exposure to new facts, figures, objects, records, and generally anything that brings personal histories into the light of day. Thanks in advance for sharing whatever you wish... |
george9785
Member Posts: 130
From: Burnaby, BC, Canada
Registered: Nov 2010
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posted 08-17-2011 03:10 PM
I'm just noticing that the Apollo moon face on this medallion is rather distinct from others typically seen on the Apollo program insignia. I'm wondering whether the designer had intended for it to resemble someone in particular rather than the Greek god. It might pass off as a JFK but maybe there was someone else intended. |
tnperri
Member Posts: 61
From:
Registered: Jun 2011
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posted 08-20-2011 07:34 AM
Do you know who minted these or issued them? |
george9785
Member Posts: 130
From: Burnaby, BC, Canada
Registered: Nov 2010
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posted 08-20-2011 10:31 AM
I guess you could say NASA issued them but unless someone posts here who does know, the company that minted them is apparently unknown. The consignor of negatives of the original artwork and proof stamping for the Apollo 11 flown die (to be auctioned off next month by RR) may have some knowledge however.
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 25679
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-20-2011 10:52 AM
The consignor appears to be David Worrow, who has been selling off his collection via RR. Here are the items on his website: proof stamp and original artwork. Separately, another example of an accompanying letter for these medals was sold by Heritage Auction Galleries in June. That letter, signed by Kennedy Space Center Director Kurt H. Debus, was presented to Richard Proffitt, Launch Complex 39 operations manager from 1969 to 1976. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 25679
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-22-2012 06:22 PM
George (george9785) came across this presentation, offered on eBay, which seems to confirm the striking was limited to 1,000. The presentation was purchased at an estate sale in Houston. |
TRS
Member Posts: 586
From: Wellington, New Zealand
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 05-06-2012 07:27 PM
I'm interested that the presentation above uses 'front' rather than 'obverse' suggesting this is not an official presentation. |
Meademan
New Member Posts: 6
From: Gatwick, West Sussex, UK
Registered: Oct 2012
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posted 10-18-2012 11:38 AM
Does anyone have one of these they wish to sell, or know anywhere I can obtain one?Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've searched and searched and searched but simply can't find one anywhere. I'd love to add one of these to my collection. Many thanks — Mike |
streetsnake
New Member Posts: 6
From: Ohio
Registered: Oct 2012
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posted 11-05-2012 07:26 PM
I am brand new here but I provide a history of my collection here. Rita has one in her collection. I have been searching for the letter that may have accompanied it but to no avail, Yet!  There is a ton of stuff to go through.  
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