Seven gold coins, once flown more than 2 million miles in orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in July 1999 and valued at more than $1 million apiece, are set to be auctioned for the first time publicly Friday at Stack’s Bowers Galleries.
The coins, Judd-2190 Pattern 2000-W Sacagawea gold dollars struck in 22 Karat gold, have been stored in Fort Knox for nearly 30 years.
PCGS has ranked the coins No. 5 on its list of the Top 100 Modern Coins. They are being auctioned on behalf of the United States Mint.
Their creation in 1999 had a dual purpose: promote the upcoming creation of the Sacagawea dollar as well as the first space shuttle flight to be commanded by a woman (upon which they would later be flown).
According to Stack’s Bowers, 39 were originally created, with only the 12 best selected for flight and the remaining group destroyed.
When one was displayed at a private congressional dinner in 1999, its value was estimated at more than $1 million.
The seven coins set to sell Friday are the only such examples ever planned to be offered to the public, according to the auction house. The remaining five will be kept in archives and public institutions for display and preservation.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.