A 1969 commemorative medal marking humankind's first landing on the Moon — Apollo 11. Designed by Casey Lombardo and struck by the Lombardo Mint, the obverse portrays the three-man crew with the motto "Ad Astra Per Aspera" (to the stars through hardship); the reverse depicts the Command Module and Lunar Module above the cratered lunar surface, inscribed "First on the Moon."

• Obverse: Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins busts, "APOLLO 11," "JULY 20 1969," Lombardo signature
• Reverse: spacecraft over the Moon, "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA · FIRST ON THE MOON"
• Base metal, ~39mm, high-relief design

Our grade estimate is About Uncirculated. The medal is fully struck with sharp detail; the obverse carries mottled toning and light handling spots noted for full disclosure, while the reverse is cleaner. Graded in-house by Curiosity Coins as a raw, uncertified medal — our in-hand opinion only, not a certified grade.

Apollo 11 launched July 16, 1969, and on July 20 Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the Moon, watched by an estimated 500 million people worldwide. Souvenir medals like this were produced in large numbers to mark the achievement and remain popular, affordable entries into space-exploration collecting.

Curiosity Coins — Medway, Massachusetts | Est. 1999 | ANA • PCGS • NGC • Heritage Auctions Member / Buying & selling US and world coins, silver, gold, currency, and collectibles since 1999. Many auctions start at $5 — combined shipping always available. Questions welcome.