Apollo 11 Proof Half Dollars Sent Into Space

The launch of the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program this January was one for the history books. One of the most hyped and anticipated right at the beginning of the year, the program made a splash in modern commemoratives and coin collecting in general. With silver five ounce proof coins, silver one dollar proof and uncirculated coins, clad half dollar proofs and uncirculated coins, a two-coin set that included a special edition Kennedy half dollar, and $5 gold proof and uncirculated, there were options for just about anyone.

With the anticipation of the 50th Anniversary of one of the biggest historical events in the United States and even the world, the first strike ceremony in December of 2018 brought about a promise by United States Mint Director David J. Ryder that would come to fruition on March 14th (otherwise known as Pi Day): to put Apollo 11 coins in space.

At 3:14 p.m. Eastern time, two proof 2019-S Apollo 11 50th Anniversary clad half dollars made their way aboard the Soyuz MS-12 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to the International Space Station. This rocket currently carries three members of Expedition 59 on their way to the ISS.

Once returned to Earth, one of the coins will be put on display at the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum. The other will be displayed in Washington, D.C., at one of the United States Mint’s headquarters.