2019-07-17 Wed

Pobjoy Mint released a new version of their Ultra High Relief and Domed coin to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11 Moon Landing. The 11oz Fine Silver coin has been released for Ascension Island. The convex reverse design tries to recreate the moon’s surface with rough terrain and craters. Man’s first footprint on the moon, a USA flag, ‘meatball’ logo and the Apollo 11 Crew Patch are also shown. The obverse side depicts an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II exclusively designed for Pobjoy Mint. The 342.14 grams coin has a diameter of 65 millimetres and a mintage limit of 100 pieces. It comes in an acrylic capsule which is placed inside a black Perspex spacer and finally packed in a black box along with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

NASA’s tracking station was located at Devil’s Ashpit on the eastern side of Ascension Island. The site was surrounded by volcanic peaks that obstructed radar and other interference. The tracking station was built in 1965 for Surveyor missions, deep space and Apollo manned missions, apart from the famed Apollo 11 mission.

On 16th July 1969, Apollo 11 was launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. On 20th July the spacecraft landed on the moon as Houston Space Center received a message that “The Eagle has landed.” Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon saying “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”. The US and the Soviet Union were in a Space Race since 1955, and after the successful mission, the US became victorious. A special plaque stating “Here Men From The Planet Earth First Set Foot Upon the Moon, July 1969 AD. We Came in Peace for All Mankind” was also left behind.

Image Courtesy: Pobjoy Mint