One of the 24 highly-prized sets of Gemini space mission sterling silver medallions is included in the upcoming auction of a long-time NASA engineer’s estate. The set was previously owned by astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, the second person to step on the moon.
The medallions are among the many important U.S. space program memorabilia and historic artifacts consigned to Goldberg Coins & Collectibles (www.GoldbergCoins.com) by the heirs of aerospace engineer Mark C. McClelland.
His collection (https://auctions.goldbergcoins.com/m/view-auctions/catalog/id/119) will be offered for the first time at a public auction in Los Angeles and online by Goldbergs on February 27, 2025.
The two-man Gemini space missions were conducted by NASA in 1965 and 1966. This is the auction catalog description of the medallions (lot #1253).
Gemini Silver Medallions, Complete Set In Lucite, Originally Owned by Buzz Aldrin Who Has Signed Along the Wood Base. The complete set of flown medallions from GT-3 through GT-12 originally owned by Buzz Aldrin. These silver medallions were manufactured by Fliteline. Having a full set is nearly impossible to find as only 24 complete sets exist and only a very few early astronauts had them. Lucite block is 1 x 3 x 1" on wood base 1 x 3 x 8.5" Plaque reads "THESE COMMEMORATIVE MEDALLIONS WERE FLOWN ON EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE FLIGHTS."
Buzz Aldrin has boldly signed in blue Sharpie left of the plaque. This is a significant piece of NASA history, worthy of any museum’s aerospace collections or elite collector. Estimated Value $9,000 – 12,000.
"The remarkable estate of NASA Spacecraft Operator (ScO) Clark C. McClelland (1936–2021) includes a museum-quality collection of vintage, original photographs spanning nearly 40 space missions from the Mercury to Apollo programs along with rare astronaut autographs, aerospace contractors’ rocket models, and five American flags flown to the moon and back and a sixth flag carried earlier by John Glenn on his first mission in space," said Freeman Fisher, Director of Manuscripts & Collectibles at Goldberg Coins & Collectibles.
"The auction includes a rare, autographed photograph of astronaut Neil Armstrong, captured during the iconic live broadcast of his historic first steps on the moon," added Fisher.
"My father worked on hundreds of manned and unmanned U.S. missions during his 34 years (1958-1992) with NASA at Cape Canaveral in Florida," recalled Carrie Lane, one of McClelland’s daughters. "He also did projects at the Johnson Space Center in Texas and the secretive Area 51 in Nevada."
McClelland’s son-in-law Russell Lane stated: "He loved our country, NASA, and the space program, and did everything he could to inspire the next generation about science, engineering, and space."
As a NASA engineer, McClelland conducted extensive technical checkouts for simulated flights of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs, space shuttles, and Skylab space station missions.
The full auction catalog is available free online at https://auctions.goldbergcoins.com/m/view-auctions/catalog/id/119. Printed copies are available by mail in the U.S. for $20 each and $40 each for copies sent outside the U.S.
For more information regarding the auction, visit www.GoldbergCoins.com, or contact Goldberg Coins & Collectibles at (310) 551-2646 or by email at freeman@goldbergcoins.com.
That’ll sell for a $1,000,000.
You’re likely right Antonio. It’s too bad it’s not in a museum.
A trade that happened Exactly 17 month ago posted on MNB… September 9, 2023 Yesterday I reluctantly Sold 100 shares of GLD. I got in 100 shares @ $184.10 on 04/28/2023 I got out 100 shares @ $178.15 on 09/08/2023 for a loss of $595.00 The $595.00 loss was a nominal loss of $595.00. Actual real loss was Much more. The Opportunity Costs for hedges are the Highest in 18 years for me. Expensive times trying to hedge a portfolio. I still have 200 shares of GLD @ $184.10. I have been considering Several different scenarios from getting 100% Out… Read more »
What has happened in the 17 months since my original post on September 9, 2023? … I bought back my 100 shares of GLD in December 2023, @ $190.50 (Nominal loss of $1,235.00 on the GLD sale on September 8, 2023, if I had held my 100-share hedge) Currently I have 300 shares of GLD @ $263.90 with the basis of $186.955. Currently I have 1000 shares of SLV @ $29.03 with the basis of $20.435. LBMA Gold PM on September 8, 2023, was $1,927.80. LBMA Gold PM fix is currently $2,874.65 or an Increase of 49% LBMA Silver fix… Read more »
You can look at the front end of the curve and compare to what is happening in the Long end of the curve and see that Gold is swimming Upstream.
Gold is swimming upstream very successfully…
Gold spot $1833 July 5th 23 and index 102 – so to be clear – you do not see gold doing the same or even half the same in next year and a half??
Tony@GA, I hold a position in Gold coins and I have a hedge with 300 shares of GLD and 1000 shares of SLV. I believe Gold is undervalued. The Federal Reserve has reduced rates by 100 basis points, while the 10-year Treasury yield has increased by 61.6 basis points since the election. LBMA Gold has risen by $132.10 since then. Thus, as the Fed has lowered rates, both long-term yields and Gold prices are rising, maintaining the current upward trend in Gold pricing. I currently have $108,200 in precious metal hedges against my Gold coins. IF you are Long, that’s… Read more »
On the same September 9, 2023, I posted…
“The United States Mint is just giving away Gold at the prices they are charging on the numismatic side…”
On September 9, 2023, the United States Mint was charging $2,800.00 ($900.00 premium on the Gold grid) for the 1 oz. American Gold Eagle proof.
Currently LBMA Gold PM fix is $2,874.65.
That means just Spot Gold is Higher than what the United States Mint was selling the 1 oz. American Gold Eagle proof just 17 months ago with a $900.00 premium…
Gold was cheap then and it’s Cheap now…
If it’s cheap now, why would you get out of your GLD position?
If it’s a GLD/SLV swap because you believe silver will outperform, I get it. Otherwise, I’m confused.
On March 12, 2024, I used the nuclear option and I moved my hedges to a taxable account. Only 1% of my trades are in a taxable account. On March 13, 2025, I will liquidate both hedges. I plan to repurchase my GLD hedge but am undecided about using a taxable account. I doubt I will repurchase my SLV hedge.
Curious why you’d use the taxable account. Not like you at all (unless you were expecting a loss.)
Looking in the rear view mirror, It was Not a wise decision on my part.
FINALLY got a 2024 D Lincoln cent in change at Publix.
Who’s hoarding all the nickels?
Almost 6 weeks in and 2025 coinage NADA!
No hoarding. Denver reduced the mintage from 2023 to 2024 by about 95%.
2024 D Jefferson 5 Cents
Denver: 32,880,000
**********************
2023 D Jefferson 5 Cents
Denver: 734,800,000
Major D
I usually don’t have time to go back to old threads on the blog. That’s why I didn’t respond about Kaiser. I’ve been fighting a pneumonia bug and been relatively disabled for a bit, so ,being bored, was looking back and saw your post. I try not to get involved with others arguments- especially when they get nasty.
Sure do miss his input.
Sorry to hear and hope you get well soon.
Kaiser was kool and active……??
There’s nothing better than Coin News articles IMO to learn about past, present and future US Mint releases. But as to the comment section, if you want to learn about coins or commodity investment, there are much better web and chat sites out there, easy to find by searching. However, if you want bask in the glory of your gold and pics of your slabs; get investment advice from a blowhard; and/or get off on Trump, Musk, DOGE, “DEI hires”, immigrants, misogyny and homophobia; and/or learn how to dip and “clean” coins to try and fool a grader or buyer—well, then I’d… Read more »
Be gentle cleaning with that cream o tartar kids!!!!
slabville ‘25……
Major D You are rude, crude and should be banned with your mean Posts! Who made you the CN Sheriff! Typical of Liberal, Woke, Progressive DemoRats! Don’t like something so you name call. Red will win in ‘28 because folks like you haven’t learned your lesson! That pleases me! Some people are just downright jealous of what others are able to do! That’s too bad. Most on here but you, enjoy the slabbed photos, learning techniques for cleaning coins, seeing what other collectors are up to, etc. This Websites name is “Coin News”, not Mint News!! This site is about… Read more »
well said AKBob! Having Tried to illustrate the importance of Cag’s analysis of the gold and silver markets several times, you captured it perfectly. The trend analysis Cag presents on these forums is invaluable to those who hold tangible assets in considering moves in market position….I simply ignore the politics, ravings, bitterness, or snide remarks. I saw the perfect example of such in 2017 on Mint News Blog….a poster “Onefinedime” was most caustic about those who did not endorse the 2017 Libery 1oz design, pronouncing anyone who did not buy the coin a racist. When the coin was issued he… Read more »
Well said, HarryB.
AKBob,
I wouldn’t waste my time with him if I were you.
He is clearly suffering.
Derangement Syndrome is a serious issue. That’s exactly what happened to Kaiser recently.
They both have my sincere sympathies.
AKBob, you know who loves gold over his country more than you? Why your false prophet, of course! He and his cronies have us returning to the gold standard. It’s part of Project 2025 after all, the architect of which is now his OMB director. Problem is, there’s not enough gold in reserve. But wait, there’s a lot of gold out there in private hands to get. Before he requires you to sell back to the Gov or face jailtime, I suspect the price of gold will plummet. The master of market manipulation doesn’t want to buy at top dollar.… Read more »
If you thought 2024 cents were hard to find, 2025 cents will be even more so. An Executive Order was issued ending production of cents.
Great!
Other than a bank, any other way to get rolls or bags of 2025 Penny’s from the mint? Also, since they will stop making penny’s, are the 1982 and prior coins able to be melted down?
Won’t businesses still need pennies for change? Are there enough in circulation now to cover that need? Or will transactions be rounded to the nearest nickel? Was there any communication with the states before this executive order was promulgated?
Looks like 242M 2025 penny’s have been produced this year from the two mints per the mint website. As this is the last year of production, not sure they will be worth much due to the huge mintage. I wonder if it is worth getting the 2025 proof, unc, and silver proof set just for the penny’s.
@ECG You beat me to the 2025 penny production figures. I wonder if the 2025 proof pennies have been minted yet and if the executive order prevents that from happening.
No official Executive Order, just a post on X from the Prez.
If the Treas Secretary can tell the Mint to stop the 1C without Congress, then we have a story, until then, grab some popcorn.
Indeed. They won’t, but Congress needs to act. I’m not sure how many states and localities operate with taxes based on multiples of 5%. I pay sales taxes varying from 6-8%. With no pennies or directives from the feds and/or the states, that Bojangles steak, egg & cheese biscuit either got more expensive for me or the local franchisee. The restaurant will likely pass on the expense to me; so either way, I’m paying more for that little bit of breakfast heaven. Multiply that one transaction by billions and this X-post-to-reality concept of a plan has the chance to be… Read more »
Congress is a puppet to this Prez. There is no check, or balance, anymore. The sales tax is the main problem with eliminating the 1c, and the 5c, if it happens. If you think rounding is an easy answer, it’s a taxing as well as a tax problem for retailers to account for.
We’re clearly on our own.
REB, good luck and so long
@REB, businesses always seem to be short of pennies. I always get asked do you want your pennies (context: change). I believe in Canada they are supposed to round to the nearest nickel, but from experience (Ha…about four or five trips north of the border) It seems like they still round in their favor.
I’m not sure I wouldn’t do the same thing as our friends to the Great White North.
REB,
We don’t have Bojangles here in the Rockies(for now), so when I travel to FL, GA, and soon NC, I always get that steak, egg & cheese biscuit. Great treat.
PS: The Charlotte Mint Museum of Art looks to be a side stop as I’m driving through…
Totally worth it – both the biscuit and the Museum.
According to the US Mint 82.4M Denver pennies and 160M Philadelphia pennies have already been produced. I don’t know what kind of production numbers the first week of Feb. had. Then January numbers are still sort of huge. If they end up in very few hands that will be another story. I hope they saved some for the 2025 Mint Set. It would be sort of awkward have an empty space if they ran out (I’m assuming those coins are not specially minted—there his been some discussion about the uncirculated finish being different for the regular business strike)
Re: the article above
Can you text me now?