Commemorating the 40th anniversary of a technological and historically significant event, The Perth Mint has released the First Man On The Moon 2009 Silver Proof ‘Orbital’ Coin. This coin is the fourth of five in a set of releases that are part of the Perth’s Orbit and Beyond series.
The innovative series capitalizes on the Perth’s abilities to create unique pieces. The Orbit and Beyond coins feature an outer ring design that really orbits around the colored image of Earth in the center.
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy issued the following challenge to his fellow Americans:
"… I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important in the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish."
Following several years of amazing technological advancements, spurred on by Cold War one-upmanship, the United States initiated the Apollo Project with the main goal of landing a person on the moon. After several successful flights and a few missions that just orbited the moon, history was made when the crew of Apollo 11 touched down on the lunar surface on July 20, 1969.
Often promoted as the greatest technological achievement by man, it is undoubtedly worthy of a coin commemorating the event.
The coin features a colored reverse showing different phases of the Apollo 11 mission along with an image of an astronaut’s footprint on the surface of the moon. The inscription "1969 – First Man on the Moon" circles around the outer edge. All of this part of the coin will rotate around a colored image of earth shown in the center.
Considered legal tender of the Government of the Cook Islands, the obverse has a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II along with the inscriptions "Elizabeth II," "Cook Islands," "1 Dollar," "2009," "1 oz" and "999 Silver".
First Man On The Moon Coin Specifications and Pricing
The Perth Mint has provided the following specifications for the coin:
|
Specs |
|
| Silver Content (Troy oz) |
1
|
| Monetary Denomination (AUD) |
1
|
| Fineness (% purity) |
99.9
|
| Minimum Gross Weight (g) |
31.135
|
| Maximum Diameter (mm) |
40.60
|
| Maximum Thickness (mm) |
4.00
|
The Perth Mint will release no more than 25,000 of the First Man on the Moon coins which are priced at $97.73 (AUS) or ~$85.36 (US). For more information or to purchase the First Man on the Moon coin directly from the Perth, use our affiliate link below:
1969 – First Man On The Moon 2009 Silver Proof ‘Orbital’ Coin
The commemorative Orbit and Beyond series has had three previous issues:
One more coin in the series is schedule.
About the Perth Mint
The Perth Mint, wholly-owned by the State Government of Western Australia, is the official issuer of the Australian Federal Government’s Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Program. The Mint opened in 1899 in response to the discovery of rich gold deposits in Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie. It was Australia’s third branch of Britain’s Royal Mint – the others being the Sydney Mint and the Melbourne Mint (both closed).
The Perth Mint remained under Britain’s jurisdiction until 1 July 1970, when ownership transferred to the State Government of Western Australia.
In 2003, The Perth Mint officially opened an 8,400 square metre state-of-the-art manufacturing facility next door to its original limestone building. Dominating the Mint’s heritage precinct, these two important buildings are powerful symbols of more than 100 years of minting excellence in Western Australia.
