Germania’s Gagarin The 80s Ruble tribute to Gagarin and Tarkanakova (did I spell that right from memory?) A Gagarin Token (bus?) and 10 Rubles My inexplicable treasure, I’m told it’s 0.9 silver struck in the Soviet Union, probably a token of appreciation for the good seats at the NY Ballet, It weighs 18g, Wouldn’t it be something if 10001 is a unique serial number, hmm Trying to Google any reference to the presumed Russian Ballet performance of 4/28/78 has been futile and vintage ballet memorabilia turns up a lot of coffee mugs and t-shirts, but Whatever, it’s my favorite little thing in the whole world
I think that date April 26th, 1978. IIn the US a new stamp issue was released that day in New York featuring ballet, but it's design doesn't look like your medal. Normally if this was silver and you don't see a purity number (like 900 or 999) on the obverse or reverse, check the edge, it may be there. The 10001 is probably referring to the NYC zip code. Neat piece though.
Valentina Tereshkova was the first female to fly in space on the last of the Vostok missions. One of her main qualifications was that she was the number one parachutist in the Soviet Union. The Vostok spacecraft was not able to safely land the cosmonaut back on earth. A hatch opened at high altitude and the cosmonaut was ejected from the Vostok and landed by parachute. Pretty gutsy.
The Soviets also made medals depicting the dogs that flew in space. This is an aluminum medal of Belka and Strelka who survived the mission. Supposedly they were two "street" dogs found in Moscow. I cannot get the medal to appear. Sorry.
