Cosmic Curiosities: Unique and Rare Space Coins and Medals

The first space-themed coin was issued in 1957 by the Soviet Union to commemorate the launch of Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth.

The Soviet Union issued the first coin featuring an astronaut in 1961 to commemorate the flight of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to travel into space.

The first space mission to be commemorated on a coin was Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth, which was issued by the Soviet Union in 1957.

The United States issued the first coin featuring a space shuttle in 1981 to commemorate the launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia, the first reusable spacecraft.

Silver is the most common metal used in space coins due to its durability, malleability, and aesthetic appeal.

NASA has issued the most coins and medals to commemorate its space missions and achievements.

The 1933 Double Eagle is the most valuable space coin ever sold, with a record-breaking sale price of $18.9 million in 2021.

The 1969 Apollo 11 Commemorative Half Dollar features a depiction of the Apollo 11 lunar landing on its reverse.

The Apollo 11 Half Dollar was the first commemorative coin issued by the United States to honor a space mission, specifically the Apollo 11 lunar landing in 1969.

The 1990 Hubble Space Telescope Commemorative Silver Dollar features an image of the Hubble Space Telescope on its reverse.

The Yuri Gagarin Commemorative Silver Dollar was issued by the United States in 2011 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first human spaceflight by Yuri Gagarin.

The 2000 International Space Station Commemorative Silver Dollar features an image of the International Space Station on its reverse.

The Alexei Leonov Commemorative Silver Dollar was issued by the United States in 2015 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first spacewalk by Alexei Leonov.

The 2012 Mars Rover Curiosity Commemorative Silver Dollar features an image of the Mars rover Curiosity on its reverse.