Almost a half century after humans first set foot on the moon, you can now buy a U.S. half dollar struck with the image of an astronaut's boot print on the lunar surface. The United States Mint on Thursday (Jan. 24) launched its 2019 coin program commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 first moon landing. The coins, which went on sale at noon EST (1700 GMT) on the Mint's website, are available in gold, silver and clad metal editions. "Every coin the United States Mint produces helps tell a story that teaches us about America's history or connects us to a special memory. Each time a person looks at one of these commemorative silver dollars it will serve as a reminder of the unprecedented engineering, scientific and political achievement that secured our country's leadership in space for generations," said U.S. Mint director David Ryder in a statement delivered on his behalf by Tom Uram of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor … [Read more...] about US Mint Launches Sale of Coins Celebrating Apollo 11 50th Anniversary
1924 double eagle gold coin value
4 on trial over theft of huge gold coin from Berlin museum
Updated 4:03 am CST, Thursday, January 10, 2019 FILE - The Dec. 12, 2010 file photo shows the gold coin 'Big Maple Leaf' in the Bode Museum in Berlin. Four young men have gone on trial over the brazen theft of a 100-kilogram (221-pound) Canadian gold coin from a Berlin museum. (Marcel Mettelsiefen/dpa via AP, file) less FILE - The Dec. 12, 2010 file photo shows the gold coin 'Big Maple Leaf' in the Bode Museum in Berlin. Four young men have gone on trial over the brazen theft of a 100-kilogram (221-pound) Canadian gold coin ... more Photo: Marcel Mettelsiefen, AP Photo: Marcel Mettelsiefen, AP Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Image 1 of 1 FILE - The Dec. 12, 2010 file photo shows the gold coin 'Big Maple Leaf' in the Bode Museum in Berlin. Four young men have gone on trial over … [Read more...] about 4 on trial over theft of huge gold coin from Berlin museum
US Mint Marks ‘First Strike’ of Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Curved Coins
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The U.S. Mint has struck its initial coins commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing. You could say it was one small strike for the Mint, one not-so-giant press for Apollo history. The coins were stamped as part of a "first strike" ceremony held Thursday (Dec. 13) at the Mint's Philadelphia facility. In attendance were Mark Armstrong, Andy Aldrin and Ann Starr, representing their respective fathers, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. [Apollo 11 Moon Landing Pictures] "We are proud that the Mint will be producing and issuing these beautiful coins in recognition and celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first manned moon landing," said David Ryder, director of the U.S. Mint. "Here we are in the largest mint in the world and though it may not involve rocket science, we think you will be impressed with the extraordinary effort by the men and women of the U.S. Mint who have taken this coin from idea … [Read more...] about US Mint Marks ‘First Strike’ of Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Curved Coins
Secret Santa drops gold coin into Salvation Army kettle
Sarah Rahal The Detroit News Published 5:47 PM EST Dec 6, 2018 St. Clair Shores — A secret Santa has been dropping more than just spare change into Michigan Salvation Army red kettles for the past six years. While bringing the kettles in for the day on Wednesday night, a Salvation Army official noticed a shiny gold coin wrapped up in a dollar bill. "As we were going through the kettle, we noticed someone had wrapped the coin in a $1 bill and slipped it in without it being noticed," said Major Candace Voeller, a Corps Officer for the Salvation Army in Warren. "We knew immediately what it was because we’ve been fortunate enough to receive six of these in the past." The 1980 South African gold Krugerrand was dropped into the kettle Wednesday at a Kroger in St. Clair Shores. The coin, valued at $1,300, will help the Metro Detroit campaign reach its $8.2 million goal this year, Voeller said. Since 2013, the mysterious … [Read more...] about Secret Santa drops gold coin into Salvation Army kettle
Middle East Looters Turn to Spirit Possession to Find Gold Treasure
As "antique" gold coins from the Middle East pour into the United States, some looters are turning to spirits called "jinn" in their hunt for gold treasure. A few gold seekers even go so far as to try to get the jinn to possess them in hopes that the spirits will guide them to that hidden jackpot. However, research by archaeologists and an investigation conducted by Live Science suggest that rarely, if ever, does using the jinn help looters find gold artifacts. Rather, metal detectors and mass excavation of archaeological sites seem to be the most effective ways of looting treasure. [7 Stunning Archaeological Sites in Syria] Gold fever Throughout the Middle East, looters have raided numerous archaeological sites over the past two decades. This theft is driven by multiple factors, including war, poverty and demand for artifacts, archaeologists have said. U.S. government documents obtained by Live Science reveal that shipments of gold coins, which the records describe as … [Read more...] about Middle East Looters Turn to Spirit Possession to Find Gold Treasure