US Mint Launches $1 Coin Honoring NASA’s Space Shuttle: A Collector’s Item?

The United States Mint has just launched its latest addition to the American Innovation series: a $1 coin honoring NASA's Space Shuttle program. Sales began on May 15th, offering collectors the chance to own a piece commemorating this iconic chapter of space exploration.

This coin represents Florida's contribution to the U.S. Mint program, highlighting the state's ingenuity. As Kelvin Manning, acting director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, stated, "NASA's space shuttles made history as the world's first reusable spacecraft." The coin serves as a reminder of the shuttle's pivotal role in advancing space exploration.

The Florida American Innovation $1 coin depicts a space shuttle lifting off from Launch Complex 39 at the Kennedy Space Center.

The design includes an exhaust plume from the boosters with stars in the background. Inscriptions read "United States of America" and "Florida." The image was sculpted by Eric David Custer and designed by Ron Sanders. The obverse features the Statue of Liberty and a stylized gear mark representing industry.

From 1981 to 2011, the space shuttle program flew 135 missions, marking milestones like deploying the Hubble Space Telescope and assembling the International Space Station. Despite two tragic accidents, the shuttle program opened space travel to more people, including the first American women and minority crew members.

Kristie McNally, the Mint’s Acting Director, noted that the Space Transportation System "remains one of the most iconic and influential spacecrafts in history."

Availability and Pricing:

• Rolls of 25 coins (struck at Philadelphia or Denver): $36.25
• Bags of 100 coins (from either mint location): $123.50

Limited quantities are available, with household order limits in place. The mint is selling 9,100 rolls of the Philadelphia-struck coins; 8,050 rolls of Denver-struck coins; 3,650 bags of coins from Philadelphia; and 3,450 bags of coins from Denver.

This coin marks the 27th in the Mint’s American Innovation series, which began in 2018. Other space-themed entries include coins celebrating Annie Jump Cannon, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the Saturn V rocket.

Will you be adding this commemorative coin to your collection? What are your thoughts on the U.S. Mint's American Innovation series? Share your opinions in the comments below!

• NASA
• Space Shuttle
• US Mint