RAM Launches Apollo 11 Coins

On June 4 the Royal Australian Mint launched its long-awaited coins struck to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing in 1969. One of these coins is included in a twin pack with the U.S. Apollo 11 proof half-dollar.

The reverse of all three coins features the lunar module ‘Eagle’ and one of the Apollo 11 astronauts at Tranquility Base with the Earth fully illuminated in the sky behind.

The common obverse shows Australia’s Parkes radio telescope pointed towards the Moon. It was this ’scope that provided an essential link in televising the landing. In the background field is an excerpt from Neil Armstrong’s transcript description of that landing. The designer is Adam Ball.

First up is a 39.62 mm, 1 oz .999 fine silver domed $5 proof. The entire coin is plated with black nickel apart from the Blue Marble that is shown as the full color with Australia at the center.

Second is a 38.51 mm, 1 oz .9999 fine gold $100 uncolored proof.

And last but not least is a 39.62 mm, 1 oz .999 fine silver $5 proof that also displays the Blue Marble on the reverse. This is the coin supplied in the joint RAM-U.S. Mint twin packs.

Mintages are 10,000, 750 and 10,000 respectively.