LOT #50034 |
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Gemini 8 Flown United States 1864 Large Motto 2¢ Piece, MS61BN NGC, with Letter of Provenance [and] Certificate of Authenticit... (Total: 3 Items)
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Sold on Jul 16, 2019 for:
$32,500.00
Bid Source: Live: Phone bidder
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Description
"...carried in a specially sewn pocket in my pressure suit."
Gemini 8 Flown United States 1864 Large Motto 2¢ Piece, MS61BN NGC, with Letter of Provenance [and] Certificate of Authenticity Signed by Stephen K. Armstrong, Directly From The Armstrong Family Collection™, CAG Certified. Just days before his Gemini 8 mission, Neil Armstrong received this two cent piece from Ohio coin dealer LeRoy Burnette to fly on his mission (original personalized Kraft 2x2 envelope included). The three reasons given for Burnette choosing this coin: (1) the two-cent piece was the very first coin to bear this nation's motto "In God We Trust"; (2) the two cent piece is an obsolete type that was coined for only a decade; and (3) the 1864 coin is more than a CENTURY old - so it just has to bring you GOOD LUCK! (Armstrong's incredible piloting skills have always been credited for saving the mission from disaster. Could it have been this coin?) In an included letter from Burnette to Stephen Armstrong (Neil's father), the original letter to Neil is transcribed as well as his response (in part): "Dear Mr. Burnette: The two-cent piece you so kindly forwarded just before the flight of Gemini VIII became a space traveler on that voyage. It arrived too late to be packed in the conventional location in the spacecraft and was carried in a specially sewn pocket in my pressure suit. I have presented the coin to my father to add to his collection..."Also included with this lot is a signed Letter of Authenticity from Stephen Armstrong attesting to the flown status and importance of this coin. For many years this was on loan from the Armstrong family to the Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio; their small penciled catalog numbers are found on the back of some of the items. A unique rarity that should appeal equally to Space Collectors and Numismatists. All items sealed in numbered archival holders. CAG 1001966-001, 1002096-014, 1002096-015, 1000146-012, & 1000146-013. This lot will include a Statement of Provenance signed by Neil Armstrong's sons, Rick and Mark
Learn more about Collectibles Authentication Guaranty (CAG).
Auction Info
2019 July 16 - 18 The Armstrong Family Collection III Space Exploration Signature Auction - Dallas #6209 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
July, 2019
16th-18th
Tuesday-Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 21
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
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