Two sets issued jointly today by the United States Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) continue celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the first manned Moon landing.
The sets contain an exclusive BEP Kennedy-Apollo 11 Intaglio Print that is paired with one dome-shaped U.S. Mint coin — a 2019-W $5 Proof Apollo 11 Gold Coin or a 2019-P Proof Apollo 11 Silver Dollar.
"The United States Mint and Bureau of Engraving and Printing are proud to offer this coin and print combination to help commemorate the first manned Moon landing on July 20, 1969," promotes the U.S. Mint.
Limits and Pricing
There are no product limits for the sets themselves, but not many of the $5 gold/print pairing can sell.
Apollo 11 coins are available outside of the sets, having made their individual debuts in January. Sales of the new sets will further count toward mintages for the coins which were established by Congress at 400,000 for the silver dollars and 50,000 for the gold pieces. U.S. Mint figures through Sunday, Aug. 4, place the silver dollars at 245,684 and the gold coins at 41,711. At the time of this writing, there are probably fewer than 8,000 gold coins left to sell.
In terms of pricing, the set with the silver dollar is $78.95 while the set with the gold coin opens at $479.50. The silver dollar and gold coin are available separately for $19 less — $59.95 for the silver dollar and $460.50 for the gold coin.
Kennedy-Apollo 11 Intaglio Print
The BEP’s Intaglio print features the official engraved portrait of President John F. Kennedy, with his challenge to the Nation:
"We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard…"
Kennedy’s portrait overlooks a depiction of the "Earthrise" photo taken during the Apollo 11 mission.
Completing the image is an engraved representation of the iconic "Buzz Aldrin on the Moon "photograph along with Neil Armstrong’s famous first words in stepping down onto the Moon: "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coins
Apollo 11 coins share common obverse (heads side) and reverse (tails side) designs.
Obverses feature inscriptions of "MERCURY," "GEMINI," and "APOLLO," separated by phases of the Moon, and a footprint on the lunar surface. Additional inscriptions include "2019," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and "LIBERTY."
Reverses offers a representation of a close-up of the previously mentioned "Buzz Aldrin on the Moon" photograph taken July 20, 1969.
The design features a portion of Aldrin’s helmet and visor that shows a reflection of Neil Armstrong, the United States flag, and the lunar lander. Inscriptions include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,"E PLURIBUS UNUM," and either "FIVE DOLLARS" or "ONE DOLLAR."
Ordering
The Apollo 11 50th Anniversary 2019 Commemorative Coin and Kennedy-Apollo 11 Intaglio Print sets may be ordered directly from the U.S. Mint’s online section of commemorative products, located here. Orders are also accepted by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
