ARMSTRONG APOLLO 11 GOLD ROBBINS MEDAL SOLD

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V22 2019 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 22, Number 29, July 21, 2019, Article 27

We don't typically discuss grading or prices, but I thought it was worth noting the impressive price brought by Neil Armstrong's gold Robbins medal from the Apollo 11 mission. The strong seven-figure price is in line with values of the more well-known Nobel prize medals. All are unique tributes to singular achievements for mankind. Congratulations to the new owner. -Editor

An extremely rare gold medal graded by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) that traveled on the Apollo 11 mission to the moon realized $2,055,000 at an auction held on the mission's 50th anniversary. It is one of the highest prices ever paid for a medal, and it is the highest price realized to date for any item from the Armstrong Family Collection, which comprises items saved by astronaut Neil Armstrong and his immediate family members.

The gold medal is called a Robbins Medal; astronauts had these struck to bring on their missions starting with Apollo 7. On their obverse side, the Robbins Medals feature the insignia of the mission they were made for, so the Apollo 11 ones show an eagle landing on the lunar surface. This design was later adapted for the reverse of the Eisenhower and Susan B. Anthony dollars.

Only three Apollo 11 Gold Robbins Medals were struck, one for each astronaut on the mission. This one was brought along by Armstrong, who became the first man to walk on the moon’s surface on July 20, 1969.

NGC graded the medal NGC MS 67, while an affiliated company, Collectibles Authentication Guaranty® (CAG™), certified its provenance to the Armstrong Family Collection. So far, the Armstrong Family Collection, which has been entirely certified by CAG, has realized more than $11 million at auction. Heritage Auctions is conducting the sales of artifacts from this collection.

“The Apollo 11 Gold Robbins Medal is the centerpiece of one of the most important collections of memorabilia of the last 50 years,” said Mark Salzberg, Chairman of NGC and CAG. “This rare gold medal accompanied Neil Armstrong from blast-off to splashdown on that historic first mission to the moon. This is, without a doubt, one of the most significant items that NGC and its affiliates have ever certified.”

In addition to the three Gold Robbins Medals, more than 400 Silver Robbins Medals were flown on Apollo 11. They were engraved with individual numbers, and the one with serial number #9 was also offered in the Heritage sale. Graded NGC MS 66 and certified by CAG as part of the Armstrong Family Collection, it realized $52,500.