Outer space coins and 2020 and outer space...
We have some really nice classic U.S. Coins with space exploration themes included, but as far as I know there is only one single U.S coin in circulation that is almost entirely a space exploration theme on only one side...plays Jeopardy music...the official name of the design is "American Indians in the Space Program". It's part of the Sacagawea dollar series minted just last year, 2019.
I love space, stuff. Always, since I was very young! Straight to the books on rockets, UFO's, and Moon landings in elementary school library time. I still love everything regarding space exploration happening with nations around the world. 2020 was a HUGE year for space exploration in so many ways and I'm hoping it ultimately will inspire the release of more U.S. coin designs with space themes.
There are plenty of U.S. Mint created commemorative "coins" celebrating events in space but you will likely never find any of those in your circulated pocket change lol! But if you search some foreign world coins (assuming you are in America while reading this) in the recent past there are some beautiful examples of space exploration designs to discover. From satellites to astronauts to Moon missions and more. These coins you actually could find in your pocket change in other countries.
We have had some American coins with some pretty sweet space themes incorporated in circulated U.S. Coins, but only a couple really. Without cheating and looking things up I can think of; The Ike Dollars featuring the moon and even nicer on the Bicentennial 1976 version, The 2004 Florida State quarter featuring the Space Shuttle...and that's it! Did I miss any?!
The U.S. Mint also just a few days ago announced the release of it's totally sweet Hubble Telescope Dollar! It's part of the American Innovation $1 Coin series and it's Maryland's state dollar for 2020. If you haven't seen this yet take a look, it's a beauty! Hi-Res images from the U.S. Mint https://www.usmint.gov/news/image-library/american-innovation-dollar#maryland
And a wonderful article about this coin
https://www.space.com/hubble-space-telescope-innovation-us-dollar-coin-sale
There was soooo much space exploration just this year and there are still a bunch of things happening before the end of the year! Let me remind you of just a few headlines from 2020. There was the first ever automated docking to the space station with the SpaceX Crew Dragon. There was the official start of a new Lunar mission sending humans (with the first woman or women on the team!) to the moon again. A mission was started by the European Space Agency to remove human created space debris (this is a big deal!) called ClearSpace-1. The Aricebo Radio Telescope tragically collapsed but a replacement will certainly be re-built in some form. There was the successful Rosetta Mission to land on and pick up "soil" from a comet! Then the Chang'e-5 successfully brought back a fairly large sample of moon rock to earth (pretty much fully automated) only a couple days ago!
Tell me about U.S. coins I didn't think of with space and space exploration themes!
Are there any important space missions which either started or completed in 2020 you think would ultimately be a great theme for a U.S. Coin? And which coin?
Happy space coin hunting!
Happy Holidays too!!!
Ok...This is an EDIT so I can add a little surprise for everyone... Nobody was able to spot the modern space theme coin I deliberately left out lol! Want to go try and figure it out before you read the answer?! ....It's the 2002 Ohio State Quarter which has an astronaut on it! The astronaut represents either Neil Armstrong or John Glenn who were both born in Ohio.
Yay, I win my own trivia contest lol! Be safe and have some serious coin searching fun out there!
Comments
Mal_ANA_YN
Level 5
Great blog, great topic. There should be more coins in the future about space exploration.
Long Beard
Level 5
Everyone seems to have forgotten the Eisenhower dollars from 1971 to 1978. Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro's reverse design is a representation of the 1969 lunar landing. It was chosen since that was also the year Ike died. So in a sense, one could call them a commemorative like the Kennedy half.
Kurisu
Level 4
I did actually mention the Ike dollar (Eisenhower) but I didn't explain that it was a representation of the 1969 Lunar Landing so thanks! But I am editing this blog...because nobody caught the coin I didn't mention on purpose lol! Another current American coin with a space theme.....The 2002 Ohio State Quarter has an astronaut on it :-)
World_Coin_Nut
Level 5
I do like that design. I have a considerable collection of space-related coins and medals. A nice part is that most of them won't cost an arm and leg either.
Kurisu
Level 4
Agreed! You don't need a budget at all to be a collector :-) Ok, well you do need at least pocket change!
Big Nub Numismatics
Level 5
I've always been into space exploration too! The US mint is releasing a fair amount of space-themed coins next year, one including the challenger astronaut who was also a teacher at the time.
Kurisu
Level 4
That's a great concept for a coin! I am from a family of teachers and unfortunately a lot of us remember watching that Challenger disaster happen live. That was Sharon Christa McAuliffe. The other astronauts were Michael Smith, Dick Scobee, Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, and Gregory Jarvis.
TheNumisMaster
Level 5
Thank you for sharing! Like I have previously mentioned, I mainly discovered this hobby through youtube, and came across your channel about 6 months ago. It changed the way I look at this hobby. Thank you. You are so nerdy about these, and its in all the right ways (; Thank you for telling us about these. Ill be sure to keep my eyes out for them. Cheers, NM
Kurisu
Level 4
That's a whole lot of compliment to take in my friend, thank you!!! Positive vibes to you :-)
Kepi
Level 6
Nice looking coin! Great design. For the future...maybe something for our new "Space Force" branch of the military.
Kurisu
Level 4
Thanks! I agree for a good bit into the future. I'm really excited about a few things coming that are quickly going to add to our understanding of things maybe most especially for when the James Webb Telescope gets operational! Hubble is still making discoveries today and also had some totally unexpected effect in the fields of both programming and engineering when the teams ended up needing to find software fixes to hardware and lens imaging problems that could not be fixed physically. The James Webb telescope will have a different kind of imaging system and sensors but it's going to be so much more powerful than the Hubble and researches will get to reap the benefits of what we've learned from improving Hubble's image quality and data.
Longstrider
Level 6
Nice blog. I think you hit all the coins. I love the space stuff. Bama and answered my question. Thanks.
Kurisu
Level 4
Thank you thank you! :-)
I. R. Bama
Level 5
Ok, can't wait! and the answer is: The equation, denoting the energy it takes to leave Earth and reach the orbit of a distant planet
Kurisu
Level 4
Correct. A+ :-)
I. R. Bama
Level 5
So what is the equation? I get the Velocity squared x infinity. But what are they doing with velocity on theother side of the equal sign and what does it mean? Enquiring minds want to know!
Kurisu
Level 4
...It's some of the math that Engineer Mary Golda Ross would've actually used to figure out orbital trajectories, and stuff :-)
"SUN"
Level 6
Nice blog. Nice looking coin. I with Mike B., just certain ones.
Kurisu
Level 4
I appreciate that thanks! :-)
CoinHunter
Level 5
Nice blog!
Kurisu
Level 4
Thanks!!! :-)
I. R. Bama
Level 5
I think you covered the coins we have. That is a very nice coin! Thanks for showing it to us.....
Kurisu
Level 4
You're welcome! Yeah it just kind of amazes me how few circulation coins there are regarding amazing science!
Stumpy
Level 5
Nice blog and coin, I liked the moon landing coins, but think the Hubble design is just blah. Space forces coin will never happen in a PC driven design environment. Nice coin though, I always liked the way the astronaut is peering down from the top. I can't think of a single other coin either outside of commemoratives. Enjoyed your blog. Well done.
Kurisu
Level 4
I appreciate that, thanks! Trust me, the Hubble one will look better in real life. I wasn't very excited about a few of the American Innovation series...until I got to hold them in my hands :-)
Mike
Level 7
I like the coin only certain ones. I bought the first and I will buy N.Y. When it comes out.. They do make for a nice set. . But to !any to collect. Thanks for the information and the blog. Interesting
Kurisu
Level 4
You're welcome glad you enjoyed it!
Golfer
Level 5
The moon landing footprint coin is really nice. I don't have any space related coins or medals ? More space themed items would be nice. Especially with the new space force military.
Kurisu
Level 4
That one is a pretty commemorative I agree, that's why I actually have the silver one :-)
CentSearcher
Level 5
Wow, I love that 2019 gold dollar design! I only know of the ones that came to your mind, and also knew that there had to already be several US commemoratives with the space theme. Here's a thought: what would a US commemorative with the space force look like? That would be really cool. Thanks for sharing!
Kurisu
Level 4
I think in the long term the Space Force theme would be a good idea...if....that is what it still is years from now. I have a feeling much will change in regards to its future and I will also guess that they will refine that logo a bit. My most encouraging positive guess at it's future is that it will be presented as less blatantly military/battle oriented and/or presented that way. My hope is that as the program develops it helps set precedents when it comes to protecting Earth from natural space events in the future. As well as something else our military branches are also known for which is incredible advances in science, engineering, and the understanding of human physiology...so as the planet steadily becomes less interested in ANY type of wars all that effort and energy can end up going into advancing our actual knowledge and of course, our exploration of space...