Space Exploration
Space Exploration
FROM THE COLLECTION OF A PROMINENT WEST COAST COLLECTOR
Auction Closed
July 20, 09:53 PM GMT
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
FROM THE COLLECTION OF A PROMINENT WEST COAST COLLECTOR
FLOWN ON APOLLO 7
LUNAR MODULE PILOT WALTER CUNNINGHAM'S FLOWN APOLLO 7 SILVER ROBBINS MEDALLION
FLOWN Apollo 7 Robbins Medallion #27, NGC MS 66 (certificate number: 2167543-001), sterling silver, 32 by 25 mm overall. Obverse features the mission insignia with the command and service module encircling the Earth, reverse engraved with launch date ("Oct. 11, 1968") and serial number. With an Autograph Letter Signed by WALTER CUNNINGHAM on his personal letterhead.
ONE OF ONLY 255 MINTED AND FLOWN — THE FIRST APOLLO ROBBINS MEDALLION
Robbins medallions have been produced for, and flown on, every manned NASA mission since Apollo 7. The medallions were paid for by the crews, and available for purchase from the Astronaut Flight Office strictly by other astronauts. 255 medallions were initially minted for the flight of Apollo 7, but Walter Cunningham later commissioned the Robbins Company to strike an additional 45 silver medallions from the original Apollo 7 dies. These unflown medallions were given serial numbers 256 through 300.
Walt Cunningham's provenance letter reads, in part: "I have sent a flown, silver Apollo 7 Robbins Medallion (serial No. 27) for your collection. It flew with me aboard Apollo 7, October 11-22, 1968, and has been part of my collection since the mission. My design of the Apollo 7 medallion emphasized the earth orbital character of the first manned Apollo mission, The circle represents the earth, while the ellipse is the shape of all earth orbital paths."