New Zealand Salutes Space Pioneers

This year numerous countries have commemorated the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing in coin.

Down-under New Zealand has chosen to issue a colored silver proof dollar celebrating Kiwis’ place among space pioneers.

This is particularly appropriate given that in November 2009 the country joined those having orbital launch capability when Rocket Labs successfully placed a payload in orbit.

The reverse of the 40 mm, 1 oz .999 fine silver coin by Hannah Fortune depicts a view of The Blue Marble as seen from behind the Moon with the rim of the coin designed to look like that surrounding a space vehicle window.

The view shows New Zealand with the Southern Cross in the sky above. The Moon displays a pitted texture and the field is recessed to create a 3D sense of depth.

The coin was struck by B. H. Mayer’s Kunstprägeanstalt GmbH. Mintage is 1,500.