貝爾法斯特雕塑家的阿波羅 11 號硬幣榮獲國際「年度硬幣」榮譽

貝爾法斯特雕塑家加里庫柏紀念阿波羅 11 號登月 50 週年的硬幣榮獲 2021 年度硬幣獎。他的設計以尼爾阿姆斯壯的足跡和巴茲奧爾德林的頭盔為特色，是第一枚採用弧形設計的美國硬幣，並因其技術創新而贏得讚譽。該系列硬幣的收益使與太空相關的組織受益，庫柏對紀念這一歷史性事件感到自豪，同時也倡導環境保護和未來的太空探索。

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

貝爾法斯特雕塑家的阿波羅 11 號紀念幣榮獲年度國際硬幣榮譽

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.

緬因州貝爾法斯特- 2023 年3 月6 日- 美國造幣廠為紀念歷史性的阿波羅11 號登月50 週年而設計的紀念幣，由貝爾法斯特雕塑家加里·庫珀( Gary Cooper 設計，榮獲著名的2021 年度硬幣獎。

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.

庫柏長期以來一直懷抱著為美國造幣廠設計硬幣的雄心，當他得知硬幣在比賽中獲勝時，他表達了他的驚訝之情。 2019 年，造幣廠官員選擇了他複雜的雕塑設計，將太空人尼爾阿姆斯壯在月球塵埃中的足跡作為硬幣的正面。

"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."

「我發現這個獎項確實非常出色，」庫柏感嘆道。 「也許這源於這樣一個事實：我不僅僅是出於藝術意圖來完成這項工作。我對這個主題產生了深刻的情感聯繫。我清楚地記得宇航員登陸月球的那一天。我父親送給我一台望遠鏡，我花了整個晚上和鄰居的孩子一起在天空中尋找繞月運行的指揮艙，這是一次難忘的經歷，給我留下了深刻的印象。

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.

這枚紀念幣脫穎而出，成為美國第一枚採用弧形設計的紀念幣。它的背面具有凸面，詳細再現了1969 年7 月20 日拍攝的一張著名照片。形象。背面設計是由造幣廠一位才華橫溢的雕刻師構思的。

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.

美國造幣廠採用這些設計生產了 5 美元金幣、標準尺寸的 1 美元銀幣、半美元包層硬幣和價值 1 美元的 5 盎司精製銀幣。

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.

年度硬幣計畫由世界硬幣新聞組織，慶祝成立 38 週年，旨在表彰全球傑出的硬幣設計和創新。 2021 年計畫慶祝 2019 年鑄造的十個競爭類別的硬幣。 5 盎司阿波羅銀幣贏得了廣泛讚譽，榮獲最佳當代活動獎和最佳銀幣獎，最終被評為年度最佳硬幣。

"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."

美國造幣廠官員表示：“我們的團隊非常自豪能夠為紀念 NASA 阿波羅 11 號任務 50 週年做出貢獻，該任務標誌著首次成功的載人登月。” “銀幣代表了造幣廠技術能力的重大成就。”

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.

庫柏解釋說，紀念幣系列產生的附加費的一部分被用於太空人紀念基金會、太空人獎學金基金會和其他致力於支持航太領域的組織。

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.

儘管庫柏是硬幣的設計者，但他還是必須購買自己的硬幣，他覺得這一點很有趣。 「這就是政府的運作方式，」他說。

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.

庫柏仍不確定他是否會收到參加本月晚些時候舉行的頒獎典禮的邀請。該活動傳統上在德國柏林舉行，藝術家、雕刻師和造幣廠代表齊聚一堂。然而，今年的虛擬形式可能需要限制與會者人數。

"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."

庫柏表示：“見證這枚硬幣獲得國際認可是非常有意義的。” “我非常高興它證明了太空計劃和歷史性登月的非凡成就。”

"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."

庫柏強調：“20 世紀 60 年代的太空探索活動體現了我們國家全心全意實現某個目標時所具有的非凡能力。” 「雖然我相信我們暫時已經對太空計劃進行了充分投資，但我們現在的重點應該轉向保護我們的星球。當適當的時機出現時，我們可以恢復我們雄心勃勃的地球以外的探索。”