United States Mint Rolls Out Commemorative Coins Honoring the First Manned Lunar Landing on January 24

January 18, 2019
2019 Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Gold Uncirculated Five Dollar Obverse Angle

WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) will open sales for the 2019 Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program on January 24 at noon EST.

This unique four-coin program includes the Mint’s first reeded five-ounce proof silver dollar, a $5 gold coin, a silver dollar, and a half dollar. All coins are curved. This year, the Mint increased the silver content of its commemorative standard silver dollars to 99.9 percent silver. In the past, these coins were 90/10 silver—90 percent silver and 10 percent copper. Product options, pricing, and order limits are below.

PRODUCT CODE PRODUCT OPTION        INTRO          PRICE REGULAR    PRICE ORDER    LIMIT
19CA Proof Five-Dollar Gold Coin Per Grid (-) $5 Per Grid 1
19CB Uncirculated Five-Dollar Gold Coin Per Grid (-) $5 Per Grid 1
19CC Proof Silver Dollar Coin $54.95 $59.95 100
19CD Uncirculated Silver Dollar Coin $51.95 $56.95 100
19CE Proof Half Dollar Coin $27.95 $32.95 N/A
19CG Uncirculated Half Dollar Coin $25.95 $30.95 N/A
19CH Five-Ounce Silver Proof Dollar Coin $224.95 $229.95 5
19CF Half Dollar Set N/A $53.95 5

The Half Dollar Set celebrates the connection between President Kennedy and the American space program. It includes one Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Proof Half Dollar and one Kennedy Enhanced Reverse Proof Half Dollar. This product is limited to 100,000 units.

The Mint set pricing for the gold product options according to its Pricing of Numismatic Gold, Commemorative Gold, and Platinum Products table, available here. Introductory sales prices are in effect until February 25, 2019, at 3 P.M. EST, after which regular pricing will take effect. The household order limits are in effect for 24 hours.

Coin prices include surcharges of $35 for each gold coin, $10 for each $1 silver coin, $5 for each half-dollar coin, and $50 for each five-ounce silver proof coin. The law requires the Mint to distribute the surcharges collected as follows:

  • One half to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum’s
    “Destination Moon” exhibit,
  • One quarter to the Astronauts Memorial Foundation, and
  • One quarter to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.

Gary Cooper of Belfast, Maine created the obverse (heads) design that appears on all coins in this program. Cooper’s design features the inscriptions “MERCURY,” “GEMINI,” and “APOLLO”—separated by phases of the Moon—and a boot print on the lunar surface. The design represents the efforts of the United States space program leading up to the first manned Moon landing. Additional inscriptions are “2019,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “LIBERTY.” Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna sculpted the design.

The coins’ reverse (tails) design features a representation of a close-up of the iconic “Buzz Aldrin on the Moon” photograph taken July 20, 1969, showing just the visor and part of the helmet of astronaut Buzz Aldrin. The reflection depicted in Aldrin’s helmet includes astronaut Neil Armstrong, the United States flag, and the lunar lander. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” the respective denomination, and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill created and sculpted the reverse design.

The Mint accepts orders at catalog.usmint.gov/ and 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 1-888-321-MINT. Visit catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/shipping.html for information about shipping options.

About the United States Mint
Congress created the United States Mint in 1792, and the Mint became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. As the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, the Mint is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; silver and bronze medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.

Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, the United States Mint will not accept and will not honor orders placed prior to the official on-sale date of Jan. 24, 2019, at noon EST.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

# # #

United States Mint – Connecting America through Coins

Contact
Press Inquiries: Office of Corporate Communications (202) 354-7222
Customer Service Information: (800) USA MINT (872-6468)

A list of linkable tags for topics mentioned on this page.

Tags: