Buzz Aldrin Appraisal

Apollo 11 Commemorative Medallion Pendant

This item is a circular commemorative medallion, designed as a pendant, celebrating the historic 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing. It features a central gold-toned disk enveloped by a silver-toned bezel, from which a small silver-toned bail extends for attachment to a chain or cord. The obverse of the medallion prominently displays the names "COLLINS ALDRIN ARMSTRONG" along its lower left periphery, along with the year "1969", signifying the crew of the Apollo 11 mission (Michael Collins, Buzz Aldrin, and Neil Armstrong) and the year of the lunar landing. The central imagery on the gold-toned surface, while somewhat abstract due to lighting or wear, appears to depict elements related to the space mission, possibly including outlines of a lunar module, the moon's surface, or stylized representations of astronauts in space. The overall diameter of the medallion appears to be approximately 1 to 1.5 inches, a common size for pendants. The materials are likely a base metal, perhaps brass or bronze, with gold plating on the central disk and silver plating or a silver-colored alloy for the bezel and bail, typical for commemorative pieces of this era. Regarding condition, the medallion exhibits visible surface wear consistent with its age and likely handling, including minor abrasions and dulling of the finish, but no significant damage such as deep scratches, dents, or structural compromise is apparent. The craftsmanship indicates a struck or cast process, with legible text and discernible, albeit somewhat abstract, imagery. This piece serves as a tangible memento of a pivotal moment in human history, placing its estimated age confidently in the late 1960s or early 1970s.