Numismatic Treasures: Space Coins and Medals as Collectible Items

The Soviet Union issued the first coin commemorating space exploration in 1961, following Yuri Gagarin's historic flight into space.

The Mercury Dime, issued in 1965, was the first U.S. coin to commemorate space exploration, specifically the Mercury program.

The Apollo Half Dollar, issued in 1970, was designed to commemorate the Apollo 11 mission, which resulted in the first human landing on the moon.

The Lunar Module Dollar, issued in 1971, was composed of 40% silver and 60% copper.

The Space Shuttle Dollar, issued in 1983, commemorated the first space shuttle mission, STS-1, which launched on April 12, 1981.

The Ariane Rocket Coin, issued in 1980, was the first coin issued by ESA to commemorate space exploration, specifically the successful launch of the Ariane rocket.

The United States issued a commemorative coin in 1990 to mark the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope.

The Royal Canadian Mint issued the ISS Loonie in 2001 to commemorate the Canadian Space Agency's contribution to the International Space Station.

NASA issued a commemorative coin in 2005 to mark the launch of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

The Bank of Japan issued the Hayabusa 500 Yen coin in 2010 to commemorate the successful return of the Hayabusa spacecraft from its mission to asteroid Itokawa.

China issued a commemorative coin in 2020 to mark the launch of the Chang'e 5 lunar mission, which successfully returned lunar samples to Earth.

The Royal Australian Mint issued the Apollo 11 Commemorative Coin in 2019 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

NASA issued a commemorative coin in 2021 to mark the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope.

The Central Bank of Russia issued the Gagarin Commemorative Coin in 2021 to mark the 60th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's historic spaceflight.

The United States issued a commemorative coin in 2022 to mark the launch of the Artemis 1 mission, the first flight of NASA's Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.