Cook Islands 2009 Fly Me to the Moon! 40th & 50th Anniversaries 25g Silver Coin. By launching the space probe Luna 3 on October 4, 1959 the Soviet Union initiated a new step for the footrace to the moon. With a small camera the space probe succeeded to take first photos of the earths averted side of the moon which no human being has ever seen before – dark side of the moon. The pictures were of poor quality; however the highlands and lowlands were clearly recognisable. The big dark Mare Moscoviense is, among others, also visible. However 10 years later the Americans succeeded to win the footrace. On July 21, 1969 at 3.56 oclock CET, Neil Armstrong left the lunar module Apollo 11 and set foot on our next orb with the words Thats one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind! In memory of this double anniversary the new silver coin shows both sides of the moon in incredible detail. Besides, on the reverse of this coin a real moonstone is inlaid; a piece of the Lunar meteorite NWA 4881. A Lunar meteorite is a meteorite that is known to have originated on the Moon. Lunar origin is established by comparing the mineralogy, the chemical composition, and the isotopic composition between meteorites and samples from the Moon collected by the Apollo missions. Original piece of lunar meteorite inlaid. Very low mintage – limited to only 1,969 pieces. Comes with capsule, certificate of authenticity and a presentation case. We strive for excellent service. Though we normally reply to inquiries as soon as possible, please note that our office is limited on weekends and holidays. Track Page Views With. Auctiva’s FREE Counter. The item “Cook Islands 2009 Fly Me to the Moon! 40th & 50th Anniversaries 25g Silver Coin” is in sale since Thursday, March 12, 2015. This item is in the category “Coins & Paper Money\Coins\ World\Australia & Oceania\South Pacific”. The seller is “jvpic” and is located in Berlin. This item can be shipped worldwide.