As part of the Apollo 16 mission at the age of 36, Charles “Charlie” Duke is still the youngest person to set foot on the moon. Most people remember Duke not from his lunar exploits, however, but for his role as CAPCOM (Capsule Communicator) for the landmark Apollo 11 mission three years earlier. Serving as the central point of communication between Mission Control and the three-man crew, Duke’s Texas accent not only kept NASA in contact with astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin as they made their momentous journey to the moon, but became THE voice of Mission Control as his distinctive southern drawl struck a note with television viewers across the world.
Now, on the 50th anniversary of that first moon landing, we've teamed up with Charlie Duke to add his mark to these 1972-dated Eisenhower Dollars from the Denver Mint. Struck the same year Duke’s Apollo 16 mission took flight – each coin comes from an original mint-sealed bag that contained 1,000 coins. Those vintage bags may look like old potato sacks with their generic type and stark appearance, but inside are untold treasures not seen in nearly 50 years! In fact, each coin in this offer has been graded by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) as being in gorgeous Gem Uncirculated Mint State-65 (MS65) condition, a distinction that means these incredible coins will showcase impressive full strikes with only a few imperfections – well above and beyond the quality of the majority of coins in the series.
In addition, each Ike Dollar comes sonically sealed in an acrylic holder with a black display core and encapsulated with a label that features the pedigree “From US Mint Sealed Bag” prominently displayed. Best of all, next to the grade and certification information is a full-color image of Duke on the moon along with his hand-signed signature!
Issued from 1971 to 1978, the United States Eisenhower Dollar – or “Ike” Dollar for short – was the first dollar coin issued since the Peace Dollar series ended in 1935. Besides featuring the bust of President Dwight Eisenhower, the coin’s reverse featured a design based on the Apollo 11 mission insignia of an Eagle clutching an olive branch landing on the moon. Both sides of the coin were designed by the legendary Frank Gasparro, tenth Chief Engraver at the U.S. Mint.
With all the excitement surrounding the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing, anything associated with the historic event has become of intense interest to collectors and science & space travel buffs. Don't miss out on owning this historic coin with a label signed by a true American hero. Land one of these coins in your collection today!
EPIC MOON LANDING-THEMED DESIGN –Besides featuring the bust of President Dwight Eisenhower, the coin’s reverse features a design based on the Apollo 11 mission insignia of an Eagle clutching an olive branch landing on the moon.
LARGE LEGAL-TENDER COIN –Each large, 38.1 mm coin is $1 legal tender in the United States.
GRADED IN GEM UNCIRCULATED CONDITION –Your 1972-D Eisenhower Dollar has been graded by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) as being in Gem Uncirculated Mint State-65 (MS65) condition.
FROM A MINT-SEALED BAG –NGC has also certified that these coins came directly from a mint-sealed 1,000-coin bag with a pedigreed that states: “From US Mint Sealed Bag.”
INCLUDES SIGNATURE OF REAL-LIFE AMERICAN HERO –These coins will come sonically sealed in an acrylic holder with a black display core and encapsulated with an exclusive label personally signed by astronaut Charles “Charlie” Duke, CAPCOM (Capsule Communicator) for the landmark Apollo 11 mission.
