Apollo 16 Unflown Silver Robbins Medallion Originally from the Personal Collection of Mercury Seven Astronaut Wally Schirr...
Description
Presented to Wally Schirra by Apollo 16 Commander John Young.
Apollo 16 Unflown Silver Robbins Medallion Originally from the Personal Collection of Mercury Seven Astronaut Wally Schirra, No Serial Number, with LOA. This 35mm sterling silver medal, though not flown, is one of 300 minted to commemorate the Apollo 16 flight, the fifth manned mission to land on the moon. Only ninety-eight were actually flown aboard the mission. Crewmembers John Young, Ken Mattingly, and Charlie Duke participated in the April 16-27, 1972, mission. The obverse features the mission insignia, an eagle and shield above the moon along with the surnames of the crewmembers. The reverse features the engraved dates. The 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 John Young 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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