A collection of space memorabilia, including a number of space-flown Robbins medals, were offered in late June as Nate D. Sanders Auctions presented the Sally Ride Estate Collection. The sale featured over 50 lots of historically significant items including documents and other artifacts of the nation’s first woman astronaut.

Among the medals offered was a rare Apollo 11 Robbins medal, space-flown during the first lunar landing mission, and uniquely owned by astronaut Sally Ride. The obverse of the medallion has APOLLO 11 engraved above the mission insignia of an eagle carrying an olive branch in its beak landing on the moon’s surface. The reverse has three dates engraved LAUNCH / JULY 16, 1969, LANDED / JULY 20, 1969, and RETURNED / JULY 24, 1969. Three blank fields had been left between the minter inscribed events, to carry the later engraved dates. The the serial number 270 is engraved at the bottom. The last names of the three astronauts on the mission, ARMSTRONG-COLLINS-ALDRIN curves around the top of the reverse.

The medal measures 1.125-inches. Made of sterling silver, it exhibited some minor tarnishing but was considered in Very Good condition. The medal sold for the sales highest price, $17,690.

Ride’s first space shuttle Challenger mission was STS-7, and the sale included Ride’s personal STS-7 flown Robbins medal. The 1.5-inch sterling silver medal features the mission insignia in relief on the obverse and the June 1983 launch and reentry dates engraved post-mission in the provided areas on the reverse. The names of the 5-person crew border both sides of the medal. The sterling silver Robbins hallmarks are on the medal’s rim. Sold in its original Robbins medal case, it realized $4,753. The lot was one of three medals that were sold at the same price, third highest price level overall in the sale.

Another Challenger mission for Ride came in 1984 as part of the STS-41-G campaign. With serial number 33 F on the rim, the sterling silver medal features the mission insignia on the obverse and the October 1984 launch and reentry dates on the reverse. Names of the 7-person crew appear on both sides of the medal, with a maple leaf identifying the Canadian crew member.

In near fine condition, it measures 1.625-inches, housed in its original Robbins medal case. The final bid for the medal was $2,949.

Ride, a physicist, received her education at Stanford before joining the space program. She passed away at the age of 61 on July 23, 2012.

The Sally Ride Estate Collection sold for $145,666.

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