Apollo 17 Unflown Silver Robbins Medallion Originally from the Personal Collection of Mercury Seven Astronaut Wally Schirra, S...
Description
Presented to Wally Schirra by Apollo 17 Commander Gene Cernan.
Apollo 17 Unflown Silver Robbins Medallion Originally from the Personal Collection of Mercury Seven Astronaut Wally Schirra, Serial Number 232, with LOA. This 35mm sterling silver medal was one of 300 minted to commemorate the sixth and final lunar landing of the NASA program. Only eighty were actually flown aboard Apollo 17, December 7-19, 1972, with crewmembers Gene Cernan, Ron Evans, and Harrison Schmitt. The obverse features the mission insignia depicting the head of the Greek god Apollo, a U.S. flag and eagle, the moon, and the surnames of crewmembers. The mission dates are engraved on the reverse with the phrase "The Beginning". The serial number and sterling and Robbins hallmarks are on the rim. Original case with pad 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 Gene Cernan 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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