Apollo 15 Unflown Silver Robbins Medallion Originally from the Personal Collection of Mercury Seven Astronaut Wally Schirra, S...
Description
Presented to Wally Schirra by Apollo 15 Commander Dave Scott.
Apollo 15 Unflown Silver Robbins Medallion Originally from the Personal Collection of Mercury Seven Astronaut Wally Schirra, Serial Number 273, with LOA. This 35mm sterling silver medal is one of 304 struck for the 1971 mission. Due to a spelling error on the landing site (Appennines instead of Apennines), only 127 were actually flown. The balance was returned to the Robbins Company for correction but was not ready in time for the takeoff. The obverse features the mission insignia depicting three stylized birds flying above the Hadley Rille area of the moon with craters spelling out "XV" to the right. The reverse features the phrase "Man's Flight Through Life Is Sustained By The Power Of His Knowledge" around, Air Force wings (it was an all-Air Force crew), and the dates of the mission. The serial number is on the rim along with the sterling and Robbins hallmarks. Original case with pad and numbered sticker on the bottom included. Excellent condition. From the Steven R. Belasco Collection of Space Memorabilia.This was part of Wally Schirra's complete collection of Apollo Robbins medals sold together at a Christie's East auction on September 18, 1999, Lot 90. Note that we are offering all eleven of his medals in this auction.
Included with this lot is a copy of a signed Letter of Authenticity from Wally Schirra on his letterhead stating that each of his medallions were given to him by the mission commander. That would be Dave Scott in this instance. The full text of the letter is viewable online. Please note: Schirra declared that this was a flown medallion. More recent scholarship on these medals has shown that wasn't the case.
More Information:
Text of Schirra's Letter of Authenticity for His
Collection of Robbins Medals.
Enclosed is a complete
set of Apollo sterling silver Robbins mission emblem medallions.
Each was flown on their respective mission. Robbins began making
these with my Apollo 7 flight. The following Apollo crews carried
on the tradition and had medallions made for there [sic] flights as
well. The commander for each flight after Apollo 7 gave me a flown
medallion in order that I might have a complete set. I have listed
the missions and medallion serial numbers below:
Apollo 7 #87
Apollo 8 #294
Apollo 9 #260
Apollo 10 #52
Apollo 11 #416
Apollo 12 #206
Apollo 13 #348
Apollo 14 #298
Apollo 15 #273
Apollo 16 no number
Apollo 17 #232
[signed] Walter M Schirra
Walter M. Schirra
Captain USN, (Ret.)
Mercury, Gemini
and Apollo Astronaut
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