05 November 2018
|
A new coin produced by Pobjoy Mint for Ascension Island features the NASA logo and commemorates the moon landing of 20 July 1969.
The One Crown coin has been produced ahead of the fiftieth anniversary of the moon landing in 2019, commemorating the launch of Apollo 11 from the Kennedy Space Center on 16 July 1969, with the moon landing taking place four days later.
The design on the coin itself recreates the historic achievement, featuring an astronaut standing on the surface of the moon whilst saluting. The American flag and the Eagle lunar module can be seen in the background. Planet Earth can be seen in the distance showing the continents of North and South America. This view of Earth replicates the image shown on the medal which accompanied the astronauts on their historic mission. The NASA logo is also shown, after permission was granted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the United States of America.
Ascension Island links to the moon landing
With its direct link to the Apollo 11 Mission, it is particularly apt that this coin is being released on behalf of the Government of Ascension Island. Devil’s Ashpit on the eastern side of Ascension Island made a perfect site to build a NASA tracking station. With volcanic peaks surrounding the site it provided a natural shield against radar and other interference from elsewhere on the island.
Originally constructed in 1965 to support the earlier Surveyor missions, it also supported the later deep space and Apollo manned missions and tracked Apollo 11 on its flight from the Earth to the Moon.
Coin details
The Sterling Silver coin is presented in an acrylic capsule and then packaged in a beautiful red box and includes a Certificate of Authenticity. The Unc. Cupro Nickel coin is packaged in a special colour pack.
Issue date: 22 October 2018
Diameter: 38.60mm
Weight: 28.28g
Mintage: 5,000 (1 crown proof sterling silver); 25,000 1 crown uncirculated cupro nickel
