Gift-givers have a new option for budding young collectors with the United States Mint’s release today of the 2019 Rocketship.
Included in this new collectible are two coins attached to a card shaped like a rocketship. The standable card glows in the dark, adding another fun element for kids.
"Two of our Mighty Minters™, Timothy and Layla, will help kids ages 7 – 12 as they ‘blast off’ into the exciting world of coin collecting," the Mint describes. "To activate the glow-in-the-dark feature, place Rocketship in direct sunlight for about five minutes. Then take it into a dark room and watch it glow."
The two coins of the 2019 Rocketship include an uncirculated 2019-D Kennedy half dollar and a proof 2019-S Native American dollar which honors American Indians in the Space Program.
The half dollar is attached to the rocketship card in the lower compartment. It was chosen because the former U.S. President shown on the coin is John F. Kennedy — a man seen as instrumental to the growth of the U.S. space program.
Above the 50c is the $1 coin featuring Mary Golda Ross, the first known Native American female engineer. (The U.S. Mint recently started selling rolls and bags of these dollars in regular circulating quality.) Space is a fitting theme for the dollar as the Mint earlier released 2019 Apollo 11 Commemorative Coins that celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first manned Moon landing.
One more compartment on the rocketship is left blank so young collectors can add their own coin to the rocketship.
| Denomination: | Half Dollar | Dollar |
|---|---|---|
| Finish: | Uncirculated | Proof |
| Composition: | 8.33% Nickel, Balance Copper | 6% Zinc, 3.5% Manganese, 2% Nickel, Balance Copper |
| Weight: | 11.340 grams | 8.100 grams |
| Diameter: | 1.205 inches (30.61 mm) | 1.043 inches (26.49 mm) |
| Edge: | Reeded | Lettered |
| Mint and Mint Mark: | Denver – D | San Francisco – S |
Ordering & Limits
The 2019 Rocketship may be ordered directly from the U.S. Mint via its website product page. You may also call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468) to place an order by phone.
Pricing of the collectible is $9.95. No more than 50,000 will be sold and there is a limit of two per household.
