@HalfDime said:
It appears these are 7 of only 12 coins (with all being these gold Sacagawea coins) ever being flown on any space shuttle mission. Since they no longer fly shuttle missions these will be the only coins ever offered that have flown on a space shuttle mission.
The coins were 22-karat gold proofs specially struck for NASA's STS-93 mission in 1999 and were taken into space mainly for commemorative purposes.
Only 12 coins made the flight, after which they were stored at Fort Knox and occasionally exhibited publicly.
The coins are historically important and not radioactive as a result of their time in space.
I thought that all 39 made the flight, and that for some reason 27 were melted after Diehl was told that he did not have authorization to strike them, but I may be wrong.
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
The crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia for STS-93, the mission during which twelve gold Sacagawea dollars were sent into space
In total, 39 such coins were struck, twelve of which were found to be of adequate quality, while the rest were eventually destroyed. Unlike those denominated at five dollars, the one dollar pieces were "struck to commemorate the historic flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia in July 1999", according to Former Mint Director Ed Moy. The twelve surviving gold dollars were sent into space aboard Columbia on mission STS-93 in July 1999. Following the return of the shuttle, the coins were placed in storage at Fort Knox, where they remained until 2007, when they were exhibited at the American Numismatic Association World's Fair of Money in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
@HalfDime said:
The crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia for STS-93, the mission during which twelve gold Sacagawea dollars were sent into space
In total, 39 such coins were struck, twelve of which were found to be of adequate quality, while the rest were eventually destroyed. Unlike those denominated at five dollars, the one dollar pieces were "struck to commemorate the historic flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia in July 1999", according to Former Mint Director Ed Moy. The twelve surviving gold dollars were sent into space aboard Columbia on mission STS-93 in July 1999. Following the return of the shuttle, the coins were placed in storage at Fort Knox, where they remained until 2007, when they were exhibited at the American Numismatic Association World's Fair of Money in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Excellent. Thanks.
Now somebody find a picture of the ones denominated at Five Dollars. I saw a picture of one once, somewhere, but I do not have a copy of the picture.
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
@HalfDime said:
The crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia for STS-93, the mission during which twelve gold Sacagawea dollars were sent into space
...
Here ya' go... a signed lithograph of the crew, with the reverse description(s) included. I've had the pleasure of talking with Collins and Hawley (separately) several times. Both are top notch people. Via a mutual friend I also had a chance to spend time with Tognini, a very pleasant and smart fellow, while we were both staying in a hotel in Germany. FWIW, on this flight, Collins became the first ever female commander of a space mission.
@Baylor8670 said:
Current prevailing scientific theory is that stable gold atoms can only be created when stars collide, implode, explode, etc.
If true, that means all gold on this planet came from outer space and has already flown in space - most likely from billions of miles away and from billions of years ago.
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
The audio was not working for me. Did they all go to different bidders?
Without the audio, I was speculating that a single buyer may have been picking them all up (similar to the Sac mules) with the underbidder(s) getting more aggressive toward the later lots.
As with all moderns (and classics) these (7) incredible (pattern) coins ranged in quality within the same grade level by “light years” between the best quality example and the least nicest example. We had the privilege of inspecting all (7) coins before they were sent off to all the various Stacks offices located throughout the world ahead of the sale. Of course, I bought THE best coin of the (7) (IMHO) this morning and will happily place it in my “Top 100 Modern” registry set that also has the Unique Ty 2 Eisenhower Proof Silver Dollar pattern. So, the day started out very nicely!
Special thanks to Wayne Berkeley at Stacks for assisting me with the lot viewing of the (7) coins as well as assisting me this morning with the phone bidding.
Wondercoin
Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
So was the first lot the best one ? The one you were successful on ?
Quite a range $360k to $550k hammers with no buyer fees, juice.
Was fun to watch & listen to live.
I think #8 the 2025w actual first strike went to a later 2000w winner
@wondercoin said:
As with all moderns (and classics) these (7) incredible (pattern) coins ranged in quality within the same grade level by “light years” between the best quality example and the least nicest example. We had the privilege of inspecting all (7) coins before they were sent off to all the various Stacks offices located throughout the world ahead of the sale. Of course, I bought THE best coin of the (7) (IMHO) this morning and will happily place it in my “Top 100 Modern” registry set that also has the Unique Ty 2 Eisenhower Proof Silver Dollar pattern. So, the day started out very nicely!
Special thanks to Wayne Berkeley at Stacks for assisting me with the lot viewing of the (7) coins as well as assisting me this morning with the phone bidding.
So was the first lot the best one ? The one you were successful on ?
Quite a range $360k to $550k hammers with no buyer fees, juice.
Was fun to watch & listen to live.
I think #8 the 2025w actual first strike went to a later 2000w winner
My assumption was that those with the cash to win one of the flown coins would be more inclined to go after the 2025-W than had they not, because if you buy one, you may as well buy the other. Not sure this was the case, as it wasn't bid up a lot during the live auction.
@wondercoin said:
As with all moderns (and classics) these (7) incredible (pattern) coins ranged in quality within the same grade level by “light years” between the best quality example and the least nicest example. We had the privilege of inspecting all (7) coins before they were sent off to all the various Stacks offices located throughout the world ahead of the sale. Of course, I bought THE best coin of the (7) (IMHO) this morning and will happily place it in my “Top 100 Modern” registry set that also has the Unique Ty 2 Eisenhower Proof Silver Dollar pattern. So, the day started out very nicely!
Special thanks to Wayne Berkeley at Stacks for assisting me with the lot viewing of the (7) coins as well as assisting me this morning with the phone bidding.
Wondercoin
Congratulations!
If you ever have your piece re-imaged, please send me a copy.
TD
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
I bought a 2025-W $1 gold Sac. I'm going to ship it around the world on an airplane and advertise it as around-the-world plane flown and see what kind of premium I can get.
@wondercoin said:
As with all moderns (and classics) these (7) incredible (pattern) coins ranged in quality within the same grade level by “light years” between the best quality example and the least nicest example. We had the privilege of inspecting all (7) coins before they were sent off to all the various Stacks offices located throughout the world ahead of the sale. Of course, I bought THE best coin of the (7) (IMHO) this morning and will happily place it in my “Top 100 Modern” registry set that also has the Unique Ty 2 Eisenhower Proof Silver Dollar pattern. So, the day started out very nicely!
Special thanks to Wayne Berkeley at Stacks for assisting me with the lot viewing of the (7) coins as well as assisting me this morning with the phone bidding.
Wondercoin
Congrats!!!!!! So glad you got one. Just fantastic.
@MedalCollector said:
The audio was not working for me. Did they all go to different bidders?
Without the audio, I was speculating that a single buyer may have been picking them all up (similar to the Sac mules) with the underbidder(s) getting more aggressive toward the later lots.
I believe one bidder bought two pieces and the rest got spread around.
Andy Lustig
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
As I mentioned, I bought this particular specimen as it was the nicest quality of the 7 coins. We were fortunate to lot view all 7, as there was no formal lot viewing scheduled for these coins and once the coins were slabbed and turned over to SB by PCGS, I was told a single coin (or two) were quickly sent off to the various SB offices so the maximum number of collectors and dealers could have an opportunity to look at one of these great rarities (and likely increase bidding interest at the same time). Who knows when, and if, these 7 coins will ever be reunited as the 5 specimens of the 1913 Liberty nickel were. Perhaps not in any of the lifetime’s of existing forum members. But, I sure hope so!
Wondercoin
Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
As I mentioned, I bought this particular specimen as it was the nicest quality of the 7 coins. We were fortunate to lot view all 7, as there was no formal lot viewing scheduled for these coins and once the coins were slabbed and turned over to SB by PCGS, I was told a single coin (or two) were quickly sent off to the various SB offices so the maximum number of collectors and dealers could have an opportunity to look at one of these great rarities (and likely increase bidding interest at the same time). Who knows when, and if, these 7 coins will ever be reunited as the 5 specimens of the 1913 Liberty nickel were. Perhaps not in any of the lifetime’s of existing forum members. But, I sure hope so!
Wondercoin
Congratulations
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Did you see my comment about the slight discoloration on the lower wing above the star above the D of DOLLAR on all seven pieces? When you get your piece, let me know what you think that is.
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
I just added the Space Flown Sac (picked up from Stacks on Friday afternoon) to my Top 100 Modern registry set and updated my commentary on the set as well. I see PCGS has not added a price for the coin in Coinfacts as of yet (so I have a $0 value for the coin in my set at the moment). FWIW, I would personally open the Sac. at a price of $600,000. But, obviously, that’s with full disclosure that I own one of them. And, I truly never thought I would ever see the day I could enter this Sac. into my PCGS registry set! WHAT AN GREAT HONOR TO DO SO.
Wondercoin
Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
@wondercoin said:
I just added the Space Flown Sac (picked up from Stacks on Friday afternoon) to my Top 100 Modern registry set and updated my commentary on the set as well. I see PCGS has not added a price for the coin in Coinfacts as of yet (so I have a $0 value for the coin in my set at the moment). FWIW, I would personally open the Sac. at a price of $600,000. But, obviously, that’s with full disclosure that I own one of them. And, I truly never thought I would ever see the day I could enter this Sac. into my PCGS registry set! WHAT AN GREAT HONOR TO DO SO.
Wondercoin
I do not know which boggles my mind more, that your 1976 No S Type 2 Proof Dollar is going to be 50 years old next year, or that I wrote it up for Coin World when the finder sent it in..........
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
“I do not know which boggles my mind more, that your 1976 No S Type 2 Proof Dollar is going to be 50 years old next year, or that I wrote it up for Coin World when the finder sent it in..........”
BOTH… Equal. What a phenomenal career you have had in coins, as have I when I received my very first coin (a worn down Morgan Dollar) for a good report card from school some (60) years ago from our local “deli man” in Philly. Thank you again Manny!
Wondercoin
Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
@wondercoin said:
I just added the Space Flown Sac (picked up from Stacks on Friday afternoon) to my Top 100 Modern registry set and updated my commentary on the set as well. I see PCGS has not added a price for the coin in Coinfacts as of yet (so I have a $0 value for the coin in my set at the moment). FWIW, I would personally open the Sac. at a price of $600,000. But, obviously, that’s with full disclosure that I own one of them. And, I truly never thought I would ever see the day I could enter this Sac. into my PCGS registry set! WHAT AN GREAT HONOR TO DO SO.
Wondercoin
Wow. How exciting. Congratulations!! Very happy for you!! Thank you so much for sharing with all of us!!!
Comments
I thought that all 39 made the flight, and that for some reason 27 were melted after Diehl was told that he did not have authorization to strike them, but I may be wrong.
The crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia for STS-93, the mission during which twelve gold Sacagawea dollars were sent into space
In total, 39 such coins were struck, twelve of which were found to be of adequate quality, while the rest were eventually destroyed. Unlike those denominated at five dollars, the one dollar pieces were "struck to commemorate the historic flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia in July 1999", according to Former Mint Director Ed Moy. The twelve surviving gold dollars were sent into space aboard Columbia on mission STS-93 in July 1999. Following the return of the shuttle, the coins were placed in storage at Fort Knox, where they remained until 2007, when they were exhibited at the American Numismatic Association World's Fair of Money in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Excellent. Thanks.
Now somebody find a picture of the ones denominated at Five Dollars. I saw a picture of one once, somewhere, but I do not have a copy of the picture.
Prices just jumped.
...
Here ya' go... a signed lithograph of the crew, with the reverse description(s) included. I've had the pleasure of talking with Collins and Hawley (separately) several times. Both are top notch people. Via a mutual friend I also had a chance to spend time with Tognini, a very pleasant and smart fellow, while we were both staying in a hotel in Germany. FWIW, on this flight, Collins became the first ever female commander of a space mission.
U.S. Type Set
Good one.
https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/auctions/3-1LTXOX/september-2025-legendary-space-flown-2000-w-22k-gold-1-struck-2025-w-24k-gold-sacagawea-dollars-on-behalf-of-the-united-states-mint-lots-1001-1008?cm_mmc=ExactTarget--Campaign--20250911_SacagaweaAuction2_PP-_-BidNowCTA&utm_source=Campaign&utm_medium=EMAIL&utm_content=BidNowCTA&utm_campaign=20250911_SacagaweaAuction2_PP&cm_mmca1=Marketing&cm_mmca2=&cm_mmca3=&cc=PREC
Box of 20
All at 220K - 240K & going live
Happy Shopping !
“To the Moon, Alice!”
What a fascinating auction. The early buyers were up $200,000 by the end of the auction. I'm not sure I've ever seen FOMO hot an auction like that.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
The first lot went for $380K and the last two $550K. First buyer's in a good mood, I'd say. First struck 2025-W $120K.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Great minds.. .lol
It was amazing to watch. Some very motivated people were afraid to miss out.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
The audio was not working for me. Did they all go to different bidders?
Without the audio, I was speculating that a single buyer may have been picking them all up (similar to the Sac mules) with the underbidder(s) getting more aggressive toward the later lots.
As with all moderns (and classics) these (7) incredible (pattern) coins ranged in quality within the same grade level by “light years” between the best quality example and the least nicest example. We had the privilege of inspecting all (7) coins before they were sent off to all the various Stacks offices located throughout the world ahead of the sale. Of course, I bought THE best coin of the (7) (IMHO) this morning and will happily place it in my “Top 100 Modern” registry set that also has the Unique Ty 2 Eisenhower Proof Silver Dollar pattern. So, the day started out very nicely!
Special thanks to Wayne Berkeley at Stacks for assisting me with the lot viewing of the (7) coins as well as assisting me this morning with the phone bidding.
Wondercoin
So was the first lot the best one ? The one you were successful on ?
Quite a range $360k to $550k hammers with no buyer fees, juice.
Was fun to watch & listen to live.
I think #8 the 2025w actual first strike went to a later 2000w winner
@wondercoin
Which one did you buy and why?
Care to share your opinion of the best to worst quality of the seven coins?
Thanks!
My assumption was that those with the cash to win one of the flown coins would be more inclined to go after the 2025-W than had they not, because if you buy one, you may as well buy the other. Not sure this was the case, as it wasn't bid up a lot during the live auction.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Congratulations!
If you ever have your piece re-imaged, please send me a copy.
TD
I bought a 2025-W $1 gold Sac. I'm going to ship it around the world on an airplane and advertise it as around-the-world plane flown and see what kind of premium I can get.
http://ProofCollection.Net
Congrats!!!!!! So glad you got one. Just fantastic.
I believe one bidder bought two pieces and the rest got spread around.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Will do TD.
As I mentioned, I bought this particular specimen as it was the nicest quality of the 7 coins. We were fortunate to lot view all 7, as there was no formal lot viewing scheduled for these coins and once the coins were slabbed and turned over to SB by PCGS, I was told a single coin (or two) were quickly sent off to the various SB offices so the maximum number of collectors and dealers could have an opportunity to look at one of these great rarities (and likely increase bidding interest at the same time). Who knows when, and if, these 7 coins will ever be reunited as the 5 specimens of the 1913 Liberty nickel were. Perhaps not in any of the lifetime’s of existing forum members. But, I sure hope so!
Wondercoin
Congratulations
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Did you see my comment about the slight discoloration on the lower wing above the star above the D of DOLLAR on all seven pieces? When you get your piece, let me know what you think that is.
One of each would be cool 😎
I just added the Space Flown Sac (picked up from Stacks on Friday afternoon) to my Top 100 Modern registry set and updated my commentary on the set as well. I see PCGS has not added a price for the coin in Coinfacts as of yet (so I have a $0 value for the coin in my set at the moment). FWIW, I would personally open the Sac. at a price of $600,000. But, obviously, that’s with full disclosure that I own one of them. And, I truly never thought I would ever see the day I could enter this Sac. into my PCGS registry set! WHAT AN GREAT HONOR TO DO SO.
Wondercoin
I do not know which boggles my mind more, that your 1976 No S Type 2 Proof Dollar is going to be 50 years old next year, or that I wrote it up for Coin World when the finder sent it in..........
“I do not know which boggles my mind more, that your 1976 No S Type 2 Proof Dollar is going to be 50 years old next year, or that I wrote it up for Coin World when the finder sent it in..........”
BOTH… Equal. What a phenomenal career you have had in coins, as have I when I received my very first coin (a worn down Morgan Dollar) for a good report card from school some (60) years ago from our local “deli man” in Philly. Thank you again Manny!
Wondercoin
Wow. How exciting. Congratulations!! Very happy for you!! Thank you so much for sharing with all of us!!!