Apollo 11 Flown Silver Robbins Medallion Originally from the Personal Collection of Mercury Seven Astronaut Wally Schirra, Ser...
Description
Presented to Wally Schirra by Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong.
Apollo 11 Flown Silver Robbins Medallion Originally from the Personal Collection of Mercury Seven Astronaut Wally Schirra, Serial Number 416, with LOA. This 28mm sterling silver medal was one of 450 flown aboard Apollo 11, the first manned moon landing, July 16-24, 1969, with crewmembers Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin. The obverse depicts Collins' early and original concept for the mission insignia with the eagle carrying an olive branch in its mouth. NASA thought the sharp, open talons of the eagle looked too "warlike" and the olive branch, representing peace, was moved to the claws. This is one of, if not the only, major official item that renders the insignia as it was meant to be by the astronaut designer. The reverse has the dates of the mission, surnames of the crew, and the serial number. Original case with 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 Neil Armstrong in this instance. The full text of the letter is viewable online.
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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