Lot 135
Apollo 14, 1971, FLOWN "10th Anniversary" Lunar Surface Medallion (38mm.) This 14kt gold medallion was created in 1969 by Alan Shepard with fellow Mercury, Gemini and Apollo astronauts as a "Tenth Birthday Present" for Bill Dana/Jose Jimenez in Houston, TX. With the assistance of Bill's pal, Don Knotts, a cover story was invented that Bill was to be part of a fund raiser in Houston. Upon arrival, the real intent of the mission was revealed and a memorable evening ensued. The emotional highlight of the event was the presentation by Alan Shepard to Bill Dana of a gold medal with the number ten in diamonds on the face and the inscription "To Jose - From your Space Buddies" and their initials: "A. S., S. R., E. M., B. D., and M. E." on the reverse.
In 1971, leading up to the January 31st launch of Apollo 14, Bill had become a resident of Hawaii starring in his own show, which Barron Hilton had arranged, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel. Bill's special relationship with America's space program being so well known, Hawaii's governor, John Burns, asked Bill to represent Hawaii at the Apollo 14 launch. Alan Shepard offered to carry the tenth anniversary medal on the Apollo 14 flight. Prior to the launch, Bill commissioned the inscription "Ua mau ke ea o ka honua I ka pono" (The life of the universe is perpetuated in righteousness) inscribed on the face of the medallion. This reflected a one word change from the state motto: "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina I ka pono" (The life of the people is perpetuated in righteousness). The coin was then blessed by Hawaii's famed Reverend Akana and carried by Shepard to the lunar surface.
A 1971, March 16 typed letter on NASA letterhead from Alan Shepard to the consignor is included and reads: "I am returning your tenth anniversary coin which was with me on the lunar surface at Fra Mauro. I am delighted that it was able to make the trip since your friendship over the ten years has meant a lot to the space program…" A second typed letter, dated 1992, September 15, on Seven Fourteen Enterprise, Inc. letterhead from Alan Shepard to the consignor reads: "This is to verify that the gold medallion accompanying this letter is a genuine space artifact…This beautiful special design of gold and diamonds, was presented to comedian Bill Dana on November 9, 1969 by the Mercury Astronauts in recognition of his portrayal of Jose Jimenez, the Reluctant Astronaut. Subsequent to the presentation it was carried to the moon and returned aboard the lunar module Antares on Apollo XIV during the January 31, 1971 to February 9, 1971 mission." Bill had requested Alan to write this second letter when he thought the original letter had been misplaced.
The "Ten" in diamonds represents not only the tenth anniversary of the friendship of Bill and the astronauts, but the tenth anniversary of Alan Shepard's Mercury flight (the first by an American and that of his Apollo flight. Loaded with symbolism, this medallion is highly treasured by the consignor as a unique piece of Mercury, Apollo, Lunar, Jose's and American space history. He is reluctantly including it in this sale as it is time to pass the medallion on to a new owner to be preserved as a centerpiece of a collection.
Estimated Value $15,000 - 25,000.
Ex. the comedian Bill Dana/Jose Jimenez collection.
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