The United States Mint will open sales for its 2019 Apollo 11 50th Anniversary commemorative program at noon EST Jan 24, it announced this week.
This unique four-coin program includes the Mint’s first reeded five-ounce proof silver dollar, a $5 gold coin, a silver dollar, and a half dollar. All coins are curved. This year, the Mint increased the silver content of its commemorative standard silver dollars to 99.9 percent silver. In the past, these coins were 90% silver and 10% copper.
(Images courtesy United States Mint.)
Product options, pricing, and order limits are as follows:
The half dollar set celebrates the connection between President Kennedy and the American space program. It includes one Apollo 11 50th Anniversary proof half dollar and one Kennedy enhanced reverse proof half dollar. This product is limited to 100,000 units.
The Mint set pricing for the gold product options according to its Pricing of Numismatic Gold, Commemorative Gold, and Platinum Products table, available here. Introductory sales prices are in effect until 3 p.m. EST Feb. 25, after which regular pricing will take effect. The household order limits are in effect for 24 hours.
Coin prices include surcharges of $35 for each gold coin, $10 for each $1 silver coin, $5 for each half dollar coin, and $50 for each five-ounce silver proof coin. The law requires the Mint to distribute the surcharges collected as follows:
- One half to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum’s
“Destination Moon” exhibit, - One quarter to the Astronauts Memorial Foundation, and
- One quarter to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.
Gary Cooper of Belfast, Maine, created the obverse design that appears on all coins in this program. Cooper’s design features the inscriptions “MERCURY,” “GEMINI,” and “APOLLO”—separated by phases of the Moon—and a boot print on the lunar surface. The design represents the efforts of the United States space program leading up to the first manned Moon landing. Additional inscriptions are “2019,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “LIBERTY.” Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna sculpted the design.
The coins’ reverse design features a representation of a close-up of the iconic “Buzz Aldrin on the Moon” photograph taken July 20, 1969, showing just the visor and part of the helmet of astronaut Buzz Aldrin. The reflection depicted in Aldrin’s helmet includes astronaut Neil Armstrong, the United States flag, and the lunar lander. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” the respective denomination, and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill created and sculpted the reverse design.
The Mint accepts orders at catalog.usmint.gov/ and 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Visit catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/shipping.html for information about shipping options.
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