Heritage Auctions has announced that its forthcoming April 18 Space Exploration Signature Auction will star the last of the flown Apollo 15 Robbins medals.
 There were 304 medals intended for the flight, but only 127 actually flew due to a spelling error |
The medal is one of 300 lots consigned from the Steven R Belasco Collection of Space Memorabilia, which the auction house has published in a separate catalogue to pay tribute to this respected collector. An additional 250 lots will also feature in the sale.
The Apollo 15 Robbins medal was originally part of the personal collection of Mission Command Module Pilot Al Worden, and bears the serial number 127, making it the very last of all the medals flown to the Moon aboard Apollo 15. 304 of the medals were originally made, but a spelling error caused only 127 to be actually flown.
The medal features the mission insignia, depicting three stylised birds flying above the Hadley Rille area of the Moon, with two craters subtly spelling out XV to the right. The reverse bears the phrase "Man's Flight Through Life Is Sustained By The Power Of His Knowledge" around Air Force wings and the dates of the mission.
It is being sold complete with its original case and pad, with a numbered sticker on the bottom. Also accompanying is a letter of authenticity from Al Worden himself.
No estimate has been provided, but previous examples have sold for as much as $28,680 in the past.
The sale will follow Bonhams' Space History sale, which will star a document nicknamed the Space Magna Carta.
Our extraordinary collection of space memorabilia includes some very special items for collectors, including a complete set of signed photos from every Moonwalker, and the infamous scissors and comb used by Neil Armstrong's hairdresser.
