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Author
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Topic: Apollo 11 50th anniversary Robbins medals
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46056
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-14-2018 09:00 AM
   
collectSPACE Apollo 11 astronauts' flown medallions restruck for 50th anniversaryA memento flown by the astronauts on the first moon landing has been recreated for the first time in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the historic NASA mission. Asset Marketing Services, working with the astronauts' families and Sunshine Mint, has restruck the Apollo 11 Robbins medallions using dies created from the 1969 originals. The new 50th anniversary-edition medallions are making their public sale debut on Tuesday (Aug. 14) at the American Numismatic Association World's Fair of Money in Philadelphia. They will become more widely available beginning in September.  |
denali414
Member Posts: 759
From: Raleigh, NC
Registered: Aug 2017
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posted 08-14-2018 10:48 AM
Glad they decided to go through with making the medallions. Should be very interesting the prices, which I guess will be announced in September. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46056
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-14-2018 10:52 AM
The pricing for the copper and silver-plated copper editions are in the article ($19.95 and $39.95) as they go on sale today at the World's Fair of Money in Philadelphia. The pricing for the silver and gold editions, which both include a finish made with Apollo-flown metal, will be announced next month. |
tnperri
Member Posts: 488
From: Malvern, Ohio
Registered: Jun 2011
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posted 08-14-2018 10:54 AM
Can't wait... Going to be great additions to my collection. |
denali414
Member Posts: 759
From: Raleigh, NC
Registered: Aug 2017
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posted 08-14-2018 11:00 AM
The flown-metal silver medallion is the one I am interested in. Figure the gold, because of the size of a Robbins medal, is probably out of my budget right now (with gold at $1,200 an ounce). |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46056
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-22-2018 09:26 AM
The Space Store now has the open edition copper medallion available for sale (at a markup, but with availability before the wide release next month). Here is a look at the packaging: |
JBoe
Member Posts: 991
From: Edgewater, MD
Registered: Oct 2012
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posted 08-24-2018 05:19 PM
I remember seeing something that there was a limit or limiting number, but the listing today doesn't have that verbiage. Can someone confirm that there's no limit? Also, is there a release date for the silver-colored version? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46056
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-24-2018 05:25 PM
The copper medallion is open edition. The Space Store however, only received 100 of the copper medallions, so that may be the number you recall seeing. Orders from ModernCoinMart and GovMint.com, including the copper, silver-plated copper, silver and gold editions, will begin in September. A date is not yet set. |
denali414
Member Posts: 759
From: Raleigh, NC
Registered: Aug 2017
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posted 08-25-2018 10:51 AM
Here is to hoping NGC will slab and grade the gold/silver/copper versions of the medallion. If they do, very likely they end up on the cable coin shows quickly — which in my opinion will bring many new collectors looking at the medallions, and hopefully other items soon after in space collecting. |
tnperri
Member Posts: 488
From: Malvern, Ohio
Registered: Jun 2011
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posted 08-27-2018 09:57 AM
The copper and silver-plated copper medallions are now available via MCM or MCM on eBay. |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3159
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 08-27-2018 01:12 PM
I find it a shame they chose the initial silver release as silver plated copper. Pure silver is really not an expensive metal today — a troy ounce (a big heavy coin) costs under $13 — so they could have easily marketed a pure silver version for $40 and turned a profit. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46056
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-27-2018 02:22 PM
Pure silver and gold editions are coming in September. Both will feature finishes made with Apollo-flown metal. |
JBoe
Member Posts: 991
From: Edgewater, MD
Registered: Oct 2012
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posted 08-27-2018 04:36 PM
quote:
Originally posted by tnperri:
The copper and silver-plated copper medallions are now available via MCM or MCM on eBay.
I noticed in the description and photos of the silver plated copper medallion had the Apollo 11 patch, but the copper medallion didn't include this detail visually. Is it an oversight since the packaging is the same/similar and it does contain the mission patch? Just curious. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46056
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-27-2018 04:44 PM
The embroidered patch is only included with the silver-plated copper medallions. |
Kevmac
Member Posts: 287
From: College Station, TX
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 08-27-2018 08:42 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Both will feature finishes made with Apollo-flown metal.
Could you please describe what makes this "Apollo-flown" metal? I know there is something melted down and included in the material, as I remember a very small amount. But is it defined as to what part or piece is added to the batch to categorize it as Apollo-flown? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46056
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-27-2018 08:46 PM
The details have not yet been announced. The flown metal was sourced by Asset Marketing Services for the medallions. |
denali414
Member Posts: 759
From: Raleigh, NC
Registered: Aug 2017
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posted 08-30-2018 06:39 PM
Just got the bronze and silver coated versions today — a real nice medallion and nice story books with both. Like the additional patch in the silver one. What's nice is the medallions pop out of the story books if you want to display differently. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46056
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-13-2018 06:52 PM
The 1 oz Silver with Space Flown Alloy (limited to 25,000) and 1/2 oz Gold (limited to 2,019) medallions are now becoming available. Both medallions are slabbed and graded by NGC and are offered in first day of production and first day of issue series. |
utahraptor
Member Posts: 40
From: U.K.
Registered: Apr 2007
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posted 10-01-2018 01:17 PM
Does anybody know when the gold Robbins medallions restrikes that are not slabbed will become available? Does anybody know how much they'll be? Thank you. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46056
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-01-2018 02:16 PM
Per Asset Marketing Services as of today, all gold medallions (both 1/2 oz and 1 oz with Space Flown Alloy) are planned to be graded and slabbed. As for price, you will need to call MCM for a quote, as the gold medallions will not be available for retail sale online. |
denali414
Member Posts: 759
From: Raleigh, NC
Registered: Aug 2017
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posted 10-02-2018 03:28 PM
MCM is selling the 1 oz Silver with flown metal, unslabbed for $89.99 as of today. |
David C
Member Posts: 1256
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 10-02-2018 07:20 PM
Wish I'd waited. The slabbed are nice, but I'd have preferred unslabbed. |
tnperri
Member Posts: 488
From: Malvern, Ohio
Registered: Jun 2011
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posted 10-02-2018 07:43 PM
Mine arrived today (unslabbed). Very nice. |
David C
Member Posts: 1256
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 10-08-2018 12:56 AM
Can anyone confirm that the three original Apollo 11 flown gold Robbins medallions were 1/2 oz gold not 1 oz gold, and of what purity? |
denali414
Member Posts: 759
From: Raleigh, NC
Registered: Aug 2017
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posted 10-08-2018 07:06 AM
Usually the pure silver medallions look different and brighter then just a silver colored medallion. But with the antique silver color used on these medallions, you really can't tell the difference between the two, except for the side of coin having the 1 oz .999 stamp on it. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46056
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-08-2018 08:47 AM
quote:
Originally posted by David C:
...and of what purity?
Per Space Flown Artifacts, the Apollo 11 gold medallions were struck in solid 14-karat gold. |
David C
Member Posts: 1256
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 10-08-2018 05:18 PM
Thanks Robert. I'd seen that but I'm still confused. Firstly, I find the phrase "solid 14-karat gold" curious. Well, it's not going to be liquid or gas, and pure gold is 24 karat, so what was really meant? Is it a mis-print? Secondly, you mentioned both 1 oz and 1/2 oz gold medallions with space flown alloy. I can't see either of those on their site. When I spoke to MCM they stated that there were two original dies, the copied small one was being used to produce the 1/2 oz .9999 gold re-strike. I can't see intentional addition of impurities in a .9999 medal. I guess my questions are, what exactly were the gold originals and how faithful are the re-strikes? I mean if the original was, say, 1oz 14 karat, then I'm not that interested in 1/2 oz .9999 (i.e. 24 karat). Same for other non-authentic permutations. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46056
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-08-2018 05:30 PM
I think "solid" in this case simply means the Robbins medallions were not plated but rather made from the 14-karat gold. To clarify my own earlier comments, only the 1 oz gold 50th anniversary medallions include space flown alloy. The 1/2 oz gold medallions are pure gold. The 1 oz gold (with space flown alloy) medallions have yet to be released for sale. All of the medallions, gold and silver, differ in size from the originals. That was one of Mark Armstrong's requirements for use of the original dies as a reference. He did not want any situation where a commemorative could be mistaken for an original. MCM chose the sizes (weights) they did (1/2 oz and 1 oz) to conform with the coin market they primarily serve. |
David C
Member Posts: 1256
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 10-08-2018 06:07 PM
Ah. Thanks. |
DSeuss5490
Member Posts: 300
From: Columbus, Ohio USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 10-10-2018 02:10 PM
As of today both outlets are offering the slabbed 1/2 ounce at a pricey $1,995. |
David C
Member Posts: 1256
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 12-12-2018 03:39 PM
And now there's a 5 oz silver version antiqued with a solution including space flown metal. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46056
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-01-2019 10:44 AM
Asset Marketing Services (ModernCoinMart) has now introduced a 50 oz silver commemorative 50th anniversary Robbins medal with an "Earth layered in gold that is certified space flown on Apollo" and an NGC label signed by Michael Collins. The 50 oz is limited to 750 pieces, of which 200 include Collins' signature. 
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David C
Member Posts: 1256
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 04-02-2019 03:43 AM
When I got the MCM email I thought at first it was a misprint. 50oz!?! But no, that's right. I wouldn't know what to do with this. |
tnperri
Member Posts: 488
From: Malvern, Ohio
Registered: Jun 2011
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posted 04-02-2019 06:38 AM
Unbelievable. 50oz is bigger than the 1kg silver of the China Moon Festival medal. I can only imagine how much they will be asking for these, considering they asked $400-600 for the 5oz medals. |
denali414
Member Posts: 759
From: Raleigh, NC
Registered: Aug 2017
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posted 04-02-2019 06:53 AM
And they are slabbing it — can't imagine how much bigger that makes it. |
tnperri
Member Posts: 488
From: Malvern, Ohio
Registered: Jun 2011
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posted 04-02-2019 08:14 AM
Yeah, I don't get the slabbing and grading of these. They are not coins and I doubt grading on a medal means a whole lot. Would imagine most of these are pretty much the same (quality). |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1328
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 04-02-2019 11:08 AM
I called them. The price is $3,000 and they are all sold out. |
tnperri
Member Posts: 488
From: Malvern, Ohio
Registered: Jun 2011
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posted 04-02-2019 02:23 PM
Was that just for the First Day with signatures or all 750? |
denali414
Member Posts: 759
From: Raleigh, NC
Registered: Aug 2017
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posted 04-02-2019 02:51 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Larry McGlynn:
The price is $3,000 and they are all sold out.
WOW! That is some huge mark up, over the bullion worth ($15.74 X 50=$787), plus the added value of the small amount of flown gold and MS70 grade, still seems a high price. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1328
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 04-17-2019 03:26 PM
Here are photos of the 50oz silver and gold Apollo 11 50th Anniversary medal. It is 4 inches in diameter and 3/4 of an inch in thickness. It weighs (with case) 4.5 pounds. I tried to put it in a display case, but the display case fell over.   |
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