Extraordinary collection of 45 unflown sterling silver International Space Station Expedition Robbins medallions from the collection of Apollo astronaut Walter Cunningham, consisting of a complete set from Expedition 1 through Expedition 45. These ISS EXP Robbins medallions were designed by each of the crews to commemorate their missions to the space station over the last 16 years. The medallions generally measure between 1.5? and 2? across and feature raised mission insignia designs on the face, with the launch and return dates engraved on the reverse for missions EXP-1 through EXP-26. All are in their original plastic cases with affixed labels denoting serial numbers. Overall condition is mint state. A complete list of medallions and serial numbers is available online at RRAuction.com. Accompanied by a signed letter of authenticity from Cunningham. Walter Cunningham joined NASA with the Group 3 astronauts in 1963 and made history in 1968 as the Lunar Module Pilot on Apollo 7. This was not only the first successful manned mission of the Apollo program-a brave undertaking given the disastrous Apollo 1 test of a year earlier-but was the first mission associated with the Robbins medal tradition. It was actually Cunningham who took the lead in having the medallions first created. Desirous of a memento of the flight, he sketched out a version of the mission insignia and took it to a local Cape Canaveral jeweler to have a commemorative medallion made. The jeweler introduced him to the Robbins Company, who specialized in medals and medallions, and Cunningham worked in concert with them to create the first Robbins medals. These proved so popular among his fellow astronauts that the crews of every manned NASA spaceflight since then have had Robbins medallions struck to commemorate their missions. Robbins medallions for the missions to the International Space Station are hardly ever available, even by themselves—this complete set is thus a truly remarkable offering. Originating from Cunningham himself, these International Space Station Expedition medallions are not only extremely rare but represent the legacy of the famous NASA collectible he established. Pre-certified Zarelli Space Authentication.
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