Belfast Sculptor's Apollo 11 Coin Wins International "Coin of the Year" Honor

Belfast sculptor Gary Cooper's coin commemorating the Apollo 11 lunar landing's 50th anniversary has won the 2021 Coin of the Year award. His design, featuring Neil Armstrong's footprint and a reflection of Buzz Aldrin's helmet, was the first US coin with a curved design and earned accolades for its technical innovation. Proceeds from the coin series benefited space-related organizations, and Cooper expressed pride in commemorating the historic event while also advocating for environmental conservation and future space exploration.

International Coin of the Year Honor Bestowed upon Belfast Sculptor's Apollo 11 Commemorative Coin

Belfast, Maine - March 6, 2023 - The United States Mint's commemorative coin commemorating the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing, designed by Belfast sculptor Gary Cooper, has emerged as the recipient of the prestigious 2021 Coin of the Year award.

Cooper, who had long harbored the ambition of designing a coin for the U.S. Mint, expressed his astonishment upon learning of the coin's triumph in the competition. In 2019, Mint officials selected his intricate sculptural design featuring astronaut Neil Armstrong's footprint in lunar dust for the coin's obverse side.

"I find the award to be truly exceptional," Cooper exclaimed. "Perhaps it stems from the fact that I approached this endeavor with more than mere artistic intent. I felt a profound emotional connection to the subject matter. I vividly recall the day the astronauts landed on the moon. My father had gifted me a telescope, and I spent the evening searching the skies with neighborhood children for the command module orbiting the moon. It was an unforgettable experience that left an enduring impression on my memory."

This commemorative coin stands out as the first in the United States to embrace a curved design. Its reverse side, featuring a convex surface, showcases a detailed recreation of a renowned photograph captured on July 20, 1969. The image captures a close-up view of astronaut Buzz Aldrin's helmet, reflecting the figures of Armstrong, the American flag, and the lunar module "Eagle." The reverse design was conceived by one of the Mint's talented sculptor-engravers.

The U.S. Mint employed the designs in the production of a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin of standard size, a half dollar clad coin, and a substantial 5-ounce silver proof coin valued at $1.

Organized by World Coin News and celebrating its 38th year, the Coin of the Year program serves to recognize exceptional coin design and innovation worldwide. The 2021 program celebrated coins minted in 2019 across ten competitive categories. The 5-ounce Apollo silver coin garnered acclaim, securing awards for both Best Contemporary Event and Best Silver Coin, culminating in its designation as the overall Coin of the Year.

"Our team takes immense pride in contributing to the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of NASA's Apollo 11 mission, which marked the first successful manned lunar landing," stated a U.S. Mint official. "The silver coin represents a significant achievement in the Mint's technical capabilities."

Cooper explained that a portion of the surcharge generated by the commemorative coin series was channeled towards the Astronauts Memorial Foundation, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, and other organizations dedicated to supporting the field of astronautics.

Despite being the coin's designer, Cooper was obliged to purchase his own coins, a fact he found amusing. "That's how the government operates," he remarked.

Cooper remains uncertain whether he will receive an invitation to attend the awards ceremony scheduled for later this month. Traditionally held in Berlin, Germany, the event congregates the artist, engravers, and Mint representatives. However, this year's virtual format may necessitate restrictions on the number of attendees.

"It has been incredibly rewarding to witness the coin garner international recognition," Cooper expressed. "I am deeply gratified that it serves as a testament to the extraordinary accomplishments of the space program and the historic moon landing."

"The space exploration endeavors of the 1960s exemplify the remarkable capabilities of our nation when it wholeheartedly embraces a goal," Cooper emphasized. "While I believe we have adequately invested in space programs for the time being, our focus should now shift towards preserving our planet. When the opportune moment arises, we can resume our ambitious explorations beyond Earth."