Commemorating the 40th anniversary of a technological and historically significant event, The Perth Mint has released the First Man On The Moon 2009 Silver Proof ‘Orbital’ Coin. This coin is the fourth of five in a set of releases that are part of the Perth’s Orbit and Beyond series.

The innovative series capitalizes on the Perth’s abilities to create unique pieces. The Orbit and Beyond coins feature an outer ring design that really orbits around the colored image of Earth in the center. Read the rest of this entry »

The Perth Mint on Monday issued a commemorative one ounce silver coin celebrating the first space walk in 1965 by cosmonaut Alexei Leonov. The coin is the third release in its highly innovative Orbit and Beyond series where each main design literally orbits around a representation of the Earth.

The Perth Mint describes Leonov’s historic achievement: Exiting the Voskhod II capsule 500km above Earth, Leonov floated in space for more than 10 minutes before attempting to re-enter the airlock.  Alarmingly, his space suit had inflated, forcing the courageous cosmonaut to vent air before being able to squeeze back inside to rejoin compatriot Pavel Belyayev.

The coin’s coloured reverse design depicts space walking Leonov outside Voskhod II in orbit around a colourful earth. Read the rest of this entry »

The Perth Mint of Australia has launched an innovative rotating coin commemorating the first man in space. The legal-tender, 1 oz silver coin celebrates the journey of Yuri Gagarin, who became the first person to enter space and orbit Earth for 1 hour 48 minutes aboard Vostok 1 on April 12, 1961.

The limited minted coin marks the second release in the Perth Mint’s successful Orbit and Beyond Coin Series.

Gagarin’s flight ushered in a new era of manned space exploration that the 2008 Yuri Gagarin silver proof coin memorializes in a most unique way.

The .999 fine silver coin is constructed to rotate or "orbit" around a central brass representation of a colorful earth.

Equally colorful is the outer reverse or tails design bearing a "montage of images" symbolizing Gagarin’s journey and the border inscriptions "1961 FIRST MAN IN SPACE – YURI GAGARIN."

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The Soviet Union launched Sputnik on October 4, 1957. The world’s first artificial satellite was about the size of a basketball, but it didn’t bounce like one.

It’s impact was instead a world-wide event that marked the start of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Setting aside country affiliation and pride, Sputnik was a huge technological achievement and is worthy of celebration on the eve of its 50th Anniversary.

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