Neil Armstrong’s gold medal that flew to the moon during the Apollo 11 mission recently sold for $2,055,000 at an auction.
The medal, which features a beautiful gold hue and an Apollo 11 engraving, shows an early design for the Apollo 11 mission insignia that was developed by American astronaut Michael Collins, Fox News reported. The reverse side of the medal features the mission, dates, and surnames of the Apollo 11 crew members. What makes this medal rare is that only three were created for each of the Apollo 11 crew members, including Armstrong.
“The obverse depicts Collins’ early and original concept for the mission insignia with the eagle carrying an olive branch in its mouth. NASA thought the sharp, open talons of the eagle looked too ‘warlike’ and the olive branch, representing peace, was moved to the claws,” Dallas-based Heritage Auctions wrote on its website. “This is one of, if not the only, major official items that renders the insignia as it was meant to be by the astronaut designer.”
Auction alert: This NGC-graded Gold Robbins Medal went on the historic #Apollo11 #moon mission 50 years ago. It’s part of the Armstrong Family Collection™, items saved by Neil #Armstrong and his immediate family. The opening bid is $250,000! Learn more: https://t.co/aPUQxo5R2Q pic.twitter.com/kmQeWHTyAE
— NGC (@NGCcoin) July 3, 2019
The gold medal, which is made with 28-mm solid gold and classified as a Robbins Medal, has been a key item part of the Armstrong Family Collection for many years. This collectible, which was expected to fetch roughly $100,000 before it was auctioned off, was minted in Attleboro, Massachusetts. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum noted that Robbins medallions are only available to purchase through the NASA astronaut office.
Armstrong’s gold medal wasn’t the only Apollo 11 mission keepsake to hit the auction block this year: In May, an instruction manual that was used by Armstrong and “Buzz” Aldrin during the Apollo 11 mission was up for sale in a Christie’s auction that celebrated space exploration and the 50th anniversary of the historic moon landing. The book, which contained almost 150 annotations and completion checkmarks, had an estimated price of $7-9 million.
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