Children of Apollo 11 crew. Mark Armstrong, Mike Olson, Ann Collins Star, Andy Aldrin. On the right is Tom Uram a coin committee buddy of Olson.
Astronauts Memorial Foundation representatives in attendance included Olson, Sheryl Chaffee, daughter of Apollo 1 astronaut Roger Chaffee, Kathy Scobee Fulgham, daughter of Challenger commander Dick Scobee, shuttle astronaut Tom Jones, Bill Potter, Kevin Hoshstrasser, Rick Mathews, Paige Easley, and President Thad Altman. They were joined by representatives of the Smithsonian and the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.
Ceremonial first strikes of both versions of the Proof 2019-P Apollo 11 50th Anniversary silver dollar were executed Dec. 13 at the Philadelphia Mint.
More than a dozen dignitaries and invited guests including Mike Olson of the Lincoln Savings Bank were accorded the opportunity to strike examples of the standard silver dollar that were placed into envelopes after striking. Those who struck the coins will be able to purchase the examples they struck when sales for the commemorative coin program open at noon E.T. Jan. 24. Olson serves on the board of the Astronauts Memorial Foundation, and was the one who proposed these coins while a member of the US Mint’s Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee in 2014. He worked in Congress to get legislation passed in 2016 to authorize the Mint to strike these coins.
Among those in attendance were offspring of the three Apollo 11 astronauts — Buzz Aldrin’s son, Andy; Neil Armstrong’s son Mark; and Michael Collins’ daughter, Ann. The three joined U.S. Mint Director David J. Ryder in also striking examples of the 3-inch 5-ounce silver dollars.
Both silver dollars are the first of their kind in the traditional U.S. commemorative coin program. The 5-ounce silver dollar is the first of that denomination and the 1.5-inch silver dollar is the first struck on a .999 fine silver planchet instead of a .900 fine silver planchet.
Some information in this article is shared from Coin World Facebook page.
Pictured is our group with Mint Director David Ryder in the middle. Press that made the coins is in the background.Mark Armstrong, son of Neil and Mike Olson holding 5 ounce coins of 50th Anniversary Apollo 11 commemorative.Andy Aldrin, son of Buzz and Thad Altman, president of the Astronauts Memorial Foundation, of which Olson is a member.Children of Apollo 11 crew. Mark Armstrong, Mike Olson, Ann Collins Starr, Andy Aldrin. On the right is Tom Uram a friend of Olson’s and current chair of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee of which Olson is a former member.Astronauts Memorial Foundation representatives in attendance included Olson, Sheryl Chaffee, daughter of Apollo 1 astronaut Roger Chaffee, Kathy Scobee Fulgham, daughter of Challenger commander Dick Scobee, shuttle astronaut Tom Jones, Bill Potter, Kevin Hoshstrasser, Rick Mathews, Paige Easley, and President Thad Altman. They were joined by representatives of the Smithsonian and the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.
Olson placing his coin in an envelope. He will receive it next month when they go on sale to public.
Mint workers who were selected for the striking of this special commemorative coin.Olson’s coin hot off the press.Mint director David Ryder and Mike Olson.
