Italy. 1969 Cocepa / Il Tempo Commemorative Moon Landing Medal. Awarded to Edwin Aldrin. Gold. Mint State.
60 mm, .900 fine. 100 grams, 90 grams AGW. Obv : profile of human at center superimposed over Moon at top shining light down, EARTH . MOON . EARTH at bottom half of periphery, 1969 in right field. Rev : an astronaut descends the ladder of the Lunar Module "Eagle" and prepares to step foot on the Moon, 100 GR. / GOLD superimposed over the scene, hallmarked 38 AMI 900 at 6 o'clock. Edge : reeded. Beautiful even gold surfaces with reflective fields and no marks of consequence. Housed in a blue leather case with snap closure and gilt decoration of the medal obverse on the case. The interior is in matching plush with gilt letting inside: COCEPA - TEMPO / A EDWIN ALDRIN. This medal appears to have been given to Buzz Aldrin in collaboration by the medalist Cocepa and the Roman newspaper Il Tempo (Time). Similar, smaller medals and in lesser compositions were made by Cocepa for this and subsequent Apollo missions for private collectors, though we haven't been able to locate any others in this size and composition. With an attractive and artistic design and a special connection to Edwin Aldrin, there is much to recommend to space memorabilia collectors in this lot.
From the Wendy and Harris Lefkon Collection.