Description
Two flown two-dollar bill portions, cut in half on a diagonal angle, with the right sides carried on board the Gemini 5 mission and later presented to long-time NASA pad leader Guenter Wendt. Both Series 1963 bills were signed on the portrait side before being cut, one signed “Dollar Down, Dollar on Departure, Gordon Cooper GT-5,” with the other signed “Dollar Down, Dollar on Departure, Charles Conrad, Jr., GT-5.” All four pieces are affixed to a black sheet and framed with a small envelope labeled by Conrad, “To Guenter Wendt from L. G. Cooper, C. Conrad Jr., GT-5, 1 ea. one dollar down,” to an overall size of 11 x 14.25. Also included is a handwritten notation by Wendt which reads, “Split two dollar bills. Got one half on day of flight & other half after return. Right sight [sic] of bills has flown.” In fine condition. Carrying currency on board space missions was a time-honored tradition, some used as flight certifications presented to the NAA, and others, like this one, presented as gag gifts to the legendary pad leader. Pre-certified Steve Zarelli and RR Auction COA.
Terms and abbreviations used in our descriptions.
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