Owner Comments:
MEDAL APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Choice Uncirculated+
(Slabbed in Oversized Holder)
*Beautiful chocolate brown bronze exhibits excellent detail for a medal of this size. Preserved in a grade of nearly brilliant gem.*
MEDAL BACKGROUND:
Commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Martin Marietta Denver Aerospace facility in Jefferson County, Colorado circa 1986. — A commemorative comprehensive booklet was also issued with the medal which was titled, “Martin Marietta | Denver Aerospace | 30 Years of Progress.” — I have always had a passion for both aerospace and numismatics. This combines the two, making the medal that much more special to this collection.
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“The 5,200-acre Martin Marietta, Denver Aerospace site is in Waterton, Jefferson County, Colorado. The site completely surrounds 464 acres of contaminated Air Force property, which is being addressed as a separate Superfund site. Since 1950, the Martin Marietta Aeronautics Group (MMAG) has been conducting high technology engineering, design, development, and manufacturing operations for the space industry onsite.” — Credited Source: science.gov
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Martin Marietta Denver Aerospace “30 Years of Progress” Foreword:
“Taking time to look back over our history is a fitting thing to do as we mark the 30th anniversary of Denver Aerospace The past three decades have been filled with achievements of which we can all be proud. The history of Denver Aerospace has indeed paralleled the history of space exploration and defense technology and many of the great technological achievements of this century. Our future roles promise to be even more exciting and challenging. I hope this book will evoke pride in the company's accomplishments and the enthusiasm to be a part of its future. For many of our veteran people, the book may be nostalgic. For the many new employees we have brought into our company in
just the past few years, our history may be somewhat of a revelation. Whatever emotions it stirs, I hope it instills as well a
renewed commitment to continuing the excellence that has characterized Denver Aerospace people for 30 years.
Peter B. Teets | President | Martin Marietta Denver Aerospace”
RARITY: Unknown; Likely uncommon
NGC Census not available.
MEDAL DESCRIPTION:
(Bronze, 64mm, Round, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: Martin Marietta Denver Aerospace • Masterminding Tomorrow’s Technology (Depiction of Astronaut on EVA with Martin Marietta Logo Below)
REVERSE: An Experience in Excellence / 1956-1986 / 30 / Years / of / Progress (Image of Shuttle at Launch)
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
(Robbins Space Medals):
“Robbins Medals are medallions made exclusively for NASA astronauts. The Robbins Company, a jewelry manufacturer, was commissioned by NASA to work with the astronauts on the design of the medals for each mission into space, beginning with Apollo 7. Only 100 to 450 medals were created per mission, and they were only available for purchase by the NASA astronauts and members of the Astronaut Flight Office (AFO). Once created, the Robbins Medals traveled aboard the astronauts’ missions into space.”
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(Robbins Medal Production and Auction):
“To produce the Robbins Medallions, softened metal is hit or “struck” with a die, pictured left, containing the medal’s design. Launched, landed, and returned fields of moon landing missions were left blank so that accurate dates could later be engraved.
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The limited number of only 100 to 450 medals created for each mission, the fact that they are closely associated with astronauts, and the fact that Robbins Medallions have traveled into space, makes them very desirable collectibles. In fact, the top 10 auction prices for some original medals are from $30,000 to nearly $62,000.
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GovMint.com was recently granted access to the original 1969 Apollo 11 Robbins Medal dies. Modeled after the originals, new dies were made to create today's beautiful commemorative Robbins Medals.
To produce the Robbins Medallions, softened metal is hit or “struck” with a die, pictured left, containing the medal’s design. Launched, landed, and returned fields of moon landing missions were left blank so that accurate dates could later be engraved.
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The limited number of only 100 to 450 medals created for each mission, the fact that they are closely associated with astronauts, and the fact that Robbins Medallions have traveled into space, makes them very desirable collectibles. In fact, the top 10 auction prices for some original medals are from $30,000 to nearly $62,000.“
Credited Source: GovMint.com