My Journey Collecting Apollo and Outer Space Coins

Introduction: A Cosmic Passion Ignited

I’ve always been drawn to coins that capture the wonder of space exploration. Just last month, I added some rocket-themed tokens to my collection that sent my excitement soaring again. To me, these pieces aren’t just metal – they’re personal connections to humanity’s boldest adventures beyond our planet.

Ancient Inspirations: Apollo on Classical Coins

One coin I’ll never part with is my Roman denarius from Caracalla’s reign (198-217 A.D.), showing Apollo seated with his branch and lyre. At 3.31g and 19.6mm (cataloged as RIC IV 238A and RSC 242), it amazes me that the Apollo name gracing NASA missions has numismatic roots stretching back two millennia. When examining coins like this, I always check the lyre details and inscriptions first – worn features can really affect both beauty and value.

Modern Commemoratives: From Tokens to Treasures

I’ve had fun tracking down modern space coins, like the Young Astronaut series in gold and silver – still available if you know where to look. My own collection holds sentimental favorites like a childhood pewter Apollo 11 token alongside a hefty sterling silver medal that feels substantial in hand. Keep an eye out for:

• Polish 20 zlotych honoring their cosmonaut – often undervalued despite its cool history
• Soviet 1 rouble celebrating their space program – essential for Cold War collections

When buying these, I always inspect for mint-fresh surfaces and avoid anything with green corrosion – learned that lesson the hard way with a similar medal!

Space-Flown Artifacts: Rarities with Provenance

The true heart-stoppers in my collecting life are coins that actually traveled to space. Gus Grissom’s “GT3”-carved Roosevelt dime from Gemini 3 gives me chills – though you must handle it gently due to the modification. Then there’s James McDivitt’s flown $2.5 Gold Liberty piece from Gemini IV. These flown coins are vanishingly rare and fetch astronomical prices. After examining mission medals like those from Gemini 10 and Apollo 7, I’ve learned this golden rule: rock-solid authentication is everything. For such high-stakes items, I document obsessively and only trust graders like NGC.

Collecting Insights and Practical Advice

What I’ve discovered? Building a space coin collection takes equal parts heart and smarts. I gravitate toward pieces with stories, like counterstamped coins or my Morgan dollar with a die gouge that oddly resembles a capsule – always gets folks talking at shows. Some grading tips I live by:

• Choose coins where the design elements (especially rockets or astronauts) leap out clearly
• Assume nothing’s real in the flown-memorabilia world without ironclad paperwork

Right now, Apollo-linked items and astronaut-owned pieces (remember those signed covers used as life insurance?) are heating up. My best finds come from coin shows, specialized auctions, and trusted dealers – you can still score great foreign commemoratives if you hunt patiently.

Personal Favorites and Final Thoughts

What do I love most? The conversation-starting oddities and history-packed treasures – that quirky Morgan dollar, the satisfying weight of sterling silver medals in my palm. Each reminds me how coins weave together art, history, and human courage. If you’re starting out, try modern tokens or Young Astronaut coins – they’re affordable gateways to a hobby that, much like the cosmos itself, never stops revealing new wonders.