One of the 24 highly-prized sets of Gemini space mission sterling silver medallions is included in the upcoming auction of a long-time NASA engineer’s estate. The set was previously owned by astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, the second person to step on the moon.
The medallions are among the many important U.S. space program memorabilia and historic artifacts consigned to Goldberg Coins & Collectibles (www.GoldbergCoins.com) by the heirs of aerospace engineer Mark C. McClelland.
His collection (https://auctions.goldbergcoins.com/m/view-auctions/catalog/id/119) will be offered for the first time at a public auction in Los Angeles and online by Goldbergs on February 27, 2025.
The two-man Gemini space missions were conducted by NASA in 1965 and 1966. This is the auction catalog description of the medallions (lot #1253).
Gemini Silver Medallions, Complete Set In Lucite, Originally Owned by Buzz Aldrin Who Has Signed Along the Wood Base. The complete set of flown medallions from GT-3 through GT-12 originally owned by Buzz Aldrin. These silver medallions were manufactured by Fliteline. Having a full set is nearly impossible to find as only 24 complete sets exist and only a very few early astronauts had them. Lucite block is 1 x 3 x 1" on wood base 1 x 3 x 8.5" Plaque reads "THESE COMMEMORATIVE MEDALLIONS WERE FLOWN ON EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE FLIGHTS."
Buzz Aldrin has boldly signed in blue Sharpie left of the plaque. This is a significant piece of NASA history, worthy of any museum’s aerospace collections or elite collector. Estimated Value $9,000 – 12,000.
"The remarkable estate of NASA Spacecraft Operator (ScO) Clark C. McClelland (1936–2021) includes a museum-quality collection of vintage, original photographs spanning nearly 40 space missions from the Mercury to Apollo programs along with rare astronaut autographs, aerospace contractors’ rocket models, and five American flags flown to the moon and back and a sixth flag carried earlier by John Glenn on his first mission in space," said Freeman Fisher, Director of Manuscripts & Collectibles at Goldberg Coins & Collectibles.
"The auction includes a rare, autographed photograph of astronaut Neil Armstrong, captured during the iconic live broadcast of his historic first steps on the moon," added Fisher.
"My father worked on hundreds of manned and unmanned U.S. missions during his 34 years (1958-1992) with NASA at Cape Canaveral in Florida," recalled Carrie Lane, one of McClelland’s daughters. "He also did projects at the Johnson Space Center in Texas and the secretive Area 51 in Nevada."
McClelland’s son-in-law Russell Lane stated: "He loved our country, NASA, and the space program, and did everything he could to inspire the next generation about science, engineering, and space."
As a NASA engineer, McClelland conducted extensive technical checkouts for simulated flights of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs, space shuttles, and Skylab space station missions.
The full auction catalog is available free online at https://auctions.goldbergcoins.com/m/view-auctions/catalog/id/119. Printed copies are available by mail in the U.S. for $20 each and $40 each for copies sent outside the U.S.
For more information regarding the auction, visit www.GoldbergCoins.com, or contact Goldberg Coins & Collectibles at (310) 551-2646 or by email at freeman@goldbergcoins.com.
That’ll sell for a $1,000,000.