Does anyone here collect space-flown NASA medallions? (semi-OT)
RYK
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I know nothing about these, but I am a pretty big fan of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo projects, the history and the personalities and noticed that there are two pretty large collections of space memorabilia offered by Heritage this month. I was thinking of bidding on a couple of space flown medallions (limited edition, 400 or so), but I have no idea about the market value of these, and the price of the two most interesting ones to me (Apollo 11 ("One small step...") and Apollo 13 ("Houston, we have a problem...") are pretty expensive! At any rate, I thought the forum might like taking a peek.
The Apollo 13 medallion has an interesting historical footnote as the original medallions were struck with Ken Mattingly's name. As many probably know, he was the last minute scratch because of a measles scare, and Jack Swigert took his place. Apparently it was too late for new medallions, so the medallions were flown as struck with Mattinly's name, melted upon return, made into new medallions (as the one above) from the space flown medal and issued.
The Apollo 13 medallion has an interesting historical footnote as the original medallions were struck with Ken Mattingly's name. As many probably know, he was the last minute scratch because of a measles scare, and Jack Swigert took his place. Apparently it was too late for new medallions, so the medallions were flown as struck with Mattinly's name, melted upon return, made into new medallions (as the one above) from the space flown medal and issued.
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The Apollo mission are great medals to have. I hope we go back to moon before the there are no longer any astronauts alive who have walked on the moon. It's sad to think about, because when that happens, there will not be a living soul on this planet who can share that kind of experience with the rest of us. We'll be reduced to reading about it in history books.
I bet they don't go cheap.
I knew it would happen.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>How can you tell they were "space flown". I would think that there would be an indication of such on the medallian. >>
because they have "launched" and "returned" dates?
Here is a link that has some information: Collectspace.com
IThere is a reference book on Robbins Medallions, that you might want to pick up.
I seem to recall Space Shuttle Robbins Medallions going for around $800, but that has been a few years.
I've collected a few space program related books and NASA reports over the years. On occasion, I have been sidetracked and purchased some spacecraft hardware as well. One of my prize pieces is a Lunar Module throttle actuator.
<< <i>How can you tell they were "space flown". I would think that there would be an indication of such on the medallian. >>
Reference:
Robbins Medallions
Flown Treasure from the Apollo Space Program
by Howard C. Weinberger
In The Robbins Medallions: Flown Treasure from the Apollo Space Program, author Howard Weinberger shares his research surrounding what may very well be the rarest and most desirable of all flown commemoratives.
The gold and silver Robbins Medallions were minted exclusively for the American astronauts. Flown as mementos, the medallions were purchased by the flight crews for themselves, their families and friends.
As a result of their personal connection with the astronauts, the medallions have been greatly sought-after by collectors. However, until Weinberger's findings were published the full history of the Robbins Medallions had not been told.
Complete with large photographs of each of the Apollo commemoratives (both obverse and reverse), The Robbins Medallions explains how each of the emblem designs were decided, how many of each medallion were flown, and how The Robbins Company came to create the official souvenirs for the Moon-bound astronauts.
Logically organized and easy to read, The Robbins Medallions is highly recommended for anyone interested in reading about the astronauts' space memorabilia.
Weinberger tried at one point to get NGC to slab the medallions. I don't know if he was successful. However, there are restrikes out there, so one needs to be wary.
I personally think these have a lot more history than many coins and SCDs.
In terms of being semi-OT, this isn't really any different than threads on SCDs or the Libertas Americana medal is it?
"Live long and prosper"
My "How I Started" columns
<< <i>
<< <i>The Robbins Medallions is highly recommended for anyone interested in reading about the astronauts' space memorabilia. >>
Weinberger tried at one point to get NGC to slab the medallions. I don't know if he was successful. However, there are restrikes out there, so one needs to be wary. >>
NGC slabs Robbins Medallions but not the more common MFA medallions.
I agree, and that is why I posted it here. Technically, these are not US coins, however.
<< <i>I think it would be cool to have one of the Mercury Dimes that Gus Grissom took with him on his Mercury flight and then sunk when he landed in the water. >>
Absolutely...I saw the documentary on the History channel where they showed them recovering the capsule and removing the dimes. Way cool! So is that Apollo 11 medallion the FEP variety?
Referred to by the title of the NASA office tasked with their issuing, the Manned Flight Awareness medallions mark one of the few rare instances when the space agency purposely destroyed flown hardware to create a souvenir.
Each medallion was minted in part from metal flown aboard the mission for which it commemorates.
NASA presented these medallions to their employees and contractors (typically accompanied by a certificate or card) whose work helped to make the mission a success.
The above from collectSPACE.com
I have an Apollo 8 medallion which states. "In appreciation for your contribution to the Apollo Saturn project the Apollo 8 crew carried metal in this medallion on man's first flight to the Moon"
Year issued: 1968
Mint: Barco Mint of New Orleans
No. Minted: 200,000
Flown metal: half-inch sphere of aluminum
CJK
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
<< <i>Manned Flight Awareness medallions
Referred to by the title of the NASA office tasked with their issuing, the Manned Flight Awareness medallions mark one of the few rare instances when the space agency purposely destroyed flown hardware to create a souvenir.
Each medallion was minted in part from metal flown aboard the mission for which it commemorates.
NASA presented these medallions to their employees and contractors (typically accompanied by a certificate or card) whose work helped to make the mission a success.
The above from collectSPACE.com
I have an Apollo 8 medallion which states. "In appreciation for your contribution to the Apollo Saturn project the Apollo 8 crew carried metal in this medallion on man's first flight to the Moon"
Year issued: 1968
Mint: Barco Mint of New Orleans
No. Minted: 200,000
Flown metal: half-inch sphere of aluminum
CJK >>
It is great you posted this. My father went to work for Von Braun in 1960 or so at Huntsville and was transferred to Canaveral in 1964. I have about two dozen of the space flown medallions; they are very cool. Even cooler, in my opinion, are the three inch by five inch US flags that were also flown on numerous missions. We have items from Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Apollo/Soyuz and a whole bunch of shuttle stuff.
The most valuable things I have are the many attendance passes to launches from 1966 through 1989. I used to meet my dad at the Route 3 gate and watch the launches from the Cape with him. 20+ years of watching history made while hanging out with Pop. Way cool.
Since my father was at NASA for almost 30 years I will treasure the many momentos he willed to me when he died. Unlike my Morgan VAM collection, these items will never be sold while I live and I hope my kids will keep them as well.
To go really off topic, my father died September 7 2001 and we buried him on September 11. We all still miss him. RIP James Russell Davis.
Rick
That is quite a story, one of my goals in life is to attend a launch. I'm sorry to hear about your dad.
CJK
<< <i>I was lucky enough to see the third Shuttle launch live. I was in college at the time. We got tickets to get on the base. The only thing that seperated us from the launch site was the Banana River (I think that's the name of it). I think we were on what they called the cause-way. We were about 3 and half miles from the launch site. When that sucker went off, the ground moved where we were standing! Now that was cool! >>
Isn't it just the coolest thing ever? As a kid, I thought every kid's Dad was working to put their college room-mate (John Young) on the moon. Silly me eh? I was there at the third launch as well and yes, it is the Banana River. The sound comes across the water as a physical event.
Thanks CJK yeah the old man is gone but he is well remembered. Some day I will write his life story: orphaned at seven years old as the child of tennant farmers in Mississippi in the Depression; Navy officer and war veteran and oh yeah:rocket scientist. Raised seven children who every darned one has graduate degrees (that was what made him proudest, forget the space stuff.) And the most gentle and humble person I have ever met. My father was a great guy.
Sorry to get maudlin folks. Remember the folks who died on 9/11/01.
Rick