Definitely not my cup of tea, but here's yet another unnecessary commemorative with an unattractive design coming our way. IMO if they were going to do something along these lines, it would have been far better to commemorate the Challenger crew as a whole. http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-092019a-christa-mcauliffe-coin-act.html
I could see why they would want to commemorate the Challenger disaster, but why single out just that one person? Not a fan of this idea.
There is already the museum/planetarium dedicated to her in Concord N.H. I don't think this is necessary. The whole crew, yes, I would be interested.
If I were the family of the rest of the Challenger crew I'd be incensed at the callousness of this offering. Why would Christa MxAuliffe be more deserving of this commemorative than their loved ones? RIP Mission Commander Dick Scobee Astronauts Gregory Jarvis, Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka Pilot Mike Smith
I quit buying ballast from the mint years ago. All they make is junk to unload Gold and Silver at an inflated price. They just announced three medals in commemoration of the 72nd USAF Anniversary. 72, now what is significant about 72?
Umm.... while I agree that the commerative should commemorate the Challenger crew as a whole, I do believe Christa was something special, as are all teachers. Remember, she was chosen out of more than 11,000 other teachers. Edited
I'd be happy if they just talked to any group of collectors. They could even select their own group of 30 or so. I'm sure they'd give similar feedback. Unfortunately...... the Mint is only going to make what Congress tells them to. Congress has directed the subject of this commem, and the Mint doesn't have much say over that. Without reading the bill I don't know if Congress specified exactly what images need to appear, but sometimes they are quite specific.
Yes, that would be nice. I don't know or understand the design review and acceptance process, I probably should. Although no matter what, you're never going to please everyone. I'm just an outsider looking in. Who knows, maybe Christa's family signed off on it. All I can say is; I've seen better gift shop souvenir coins and medallions!
This is a great, in-depth explanation of the design and review process: https://www.numismaticnews.net/article/ccac-explains-coin-design-process As for the proposed design for this coin illustrated in the OP's article, that was just one idea. That is by no means the final design. I'm sure the final design will be worse.
I don't care for the coin either. I think if they wanted to do a commemorative for the final shuttle crew of Challenger as whole it would be one thing...but to single McAuliffe out feels more like an effort to generate revenue than to actually commemorate anything. Yes, she was the public face of an otherwise vanilla shuttle satellite deployment mission but seven people (including five astronauts) were killed...not just one. If you want to commemorate them as a group then do it...but don't exploit the most famous one for obvious economic gain. Let the dead rest.
Can you explain this? Why do they “exploit” her and which “economic gain”? If I understood correctly, others said they would like (buy...?) the commemorative if the entire crew was shown. You suggest exactly the opposite.
Ronald Reagan was a big advocate of the space program and specifically for the first teacher in space as a link to educate young people on the benefits of the space program. Even though Christa did not make it there, 74 seconds into the flight does not count, it was an extremely popular idea and why she is revered because of her efforts. I have nothing against her being honored but it seems the whole crew could have been a part of this issue. It also could have been done on a bigger pallette, such as a wider 5 ounce piece so as to incorporate the entire crew on one side. Maybe all the crew in a circle with the ship in the center. The proceeds for this could have gone to many educational endeavors but likely they will go to the planetarium, which although is not a bad thing but is too narrowly focused. IMHO.
All I can comment on is I won't be interested in this coin. Congress should have been smart and not political in their decision to Mint this coin. A 3 coin set honoring all crew members that died, a coin for Apollo 1 and one coin each for the two space shuttle crews. Then I'd be interested.
You just designed it. Reagan on the obverse, crew on the reverse with her strategically positioned (not bigger) to draw the person's eye to her first. I'd buy that!
Good for you young folks. I don't get any more stuff from the US Mint. I'm still trying to figure out what to do with the stuff I have. I have all the modern commemoratives up to a couple of years ago. Too much junk being made.