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Third ‘Orbital’ Coin
Final Release of Five
As NASA’s first re-useable launch vehicle, Columbia heralded the start of a new era in space exploration. The revolutionary craft took off from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 12 April 1981, with Commander John W. Young and Pilot Robert L. Crippen at the controls. Completing 37 Earth orbits during its 1,074,567 mile flight, Columbia glided back to Earth and landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California on 14 April.
Proof Quality 99.9% Pure Silver
Struck by The Perth Mint, the coin comprises 1oz of 99.9% pure silver with a central core made of non-precious metal.
Coloured Reverse Design
The coin’s coloured reverse portrays a montage of images symbolising a Space Shuttle launching into orbit. The design, which includes the border inscription 1981 - FIRST SPACE SHUTTLE, ‘orbits’ around a coloured image of Earth.
Unique ‘Orbital’ Coin Construction
Thanks to the coin’s unique construction, these design elements literally ‘orbit’ around a coloured representation of Earth.
Issued as Legal Tender
Issued as legal tender under the authority of the Government of the Cook Islands, the coin's obverse depicts the Raphael Maklouf effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 2010 year-date and the monetary denomination surrounding another coloured image of the Earth.
Elliptical-Shaped Display Case
Each coin, which is protected by an acrylic capsule, is housed in an elliptical-shaped silver display case. The case comes in a blue box-shipper depicting a Shuttle blast-off.
Limited Mintage
The Perth Mint will release no more than 25,000 of these ‘orbital’ coins.
Numbered Certificate of Authenticity
Each coin is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
Collect the Entire Series of Five Coins
With four additions to the Orbit and Beyond Series scheduled for future release, each one celebrating an historic milestone in man’s exploration of the cosmos, The Perth Mint has triggered a race for the most exciting space coins ever seen!
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