Space Shuttle Discovery Five Dollar Coin Commemorative Cover

Space Shuttle Discovery Five Dollar Coin Commemorative Cover

A special commemorative coin minted to celebrate the return to flight of the Space Shuttle after the Challenger disaster. The coin depicts the Space Shuttle taking off, with the seven stars on the left commemorating the seven astronauts that died when the Challenger Space Shuttle broke apart 73 seconds into its flight in 1986.

The coin was produced by the Marshall Islands as part of a regular series of commemorative coins that the country produced after it had become independent from the USA in 1986. The Marshall Islands' continued close ties with the USA ensured the theme of the series of coins focussed on key American events. The reverse of the coin features the seal of the Marshall Islands, which depicts an angel with outstretched wings symbolizing peace. At the bottom of the seal is the Marshallese national motto, 'Jepilpilin Ke Ejukaan', which means, 'Accomplishment Through Joint Effort'.

The presentation pack includes a cover, with a postmark from Kennedy Space Center on 29 September 1988 - the date that the Space Shuttle Discovery returned to flight for the mission STS-26 after the Challenger disaster.