Space Coins and Medals: A Reflection of Human Ingenuity and Perseverance

The Soviet Union issued the first space coin in 1961 to commemorate the launch of Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space.

The Congressional Space Medal of Honor is the highest space-related honor awarded by the United States government.

NASA issued the first medal to commemorate a planetary landing in 1969 to honor the Apollo 11 mission and the first human steps on the moon.

The FAI Gold Space Medal is awarded to astronauts who have flown beyond the Earth's atmosphere and reached an altitude of at least 100 kilometers (62 miles).

The reverse of the 2012 United States $5 gold coin featured an image of the Apollo 11 lunar module landing on the moon to commemorate the 43rd anniversary of the mission.

SpaceMedals is a private company that produces and sells coins and medals commemorating space missions and achievements, including those of NASA, ESA, and other space agencies.

Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, issued a series of coins in 2007 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth.

The AAS Astronautics Medal is awarded by the American Astronautical Society to individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of astronautics, including space exploration, satellite technology, and rocket propulsion.

The obverse of the 2019 United States $1 silver coin featured an image of the Apollo 11 lunar module landing on the moon to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the mission.

The NSS Space Pioneer Award is awarded by the National Space Society to individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of space exploration, including space science, space technology, and space policy.

NASA issued a series of coins in 2005 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, including a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a clad half dollar.

The IAF Gold Medal is awarded by the International Astronautical Federation to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of astronautics, including space exploration, satellite technology, and rocket propulsion.

The reverse of the 2022 United States $5 gold coin featured an image of the James Webb Space Telescope to commemorate the launch of the telescope and its mission to study the universe in infrared light.

The RAeS Gold Medal is awarded by the Royal Aeronautical Society to individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of aeronautics and astronautics, including space exploration, aircraft design, and rocket propulsion.

NASA issued a series of coins in 2020 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the launch of the International Space Station, including a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a clad half dollar.