August 2013 Auction Ends Thursday, August 29th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/29/2013
Truly unique necklace left on the moon's surface for three days during the Apollo 16 mission by Lunar Module pilot Charles Duke in the Personal Preference Kit on the Orion. The lunar mission launched from Kennedy Space Center on 16 April 1972, commanded by John Young, Duke and Ken Mattingly and after an eleven-day expedition in space, they returned to Earth with this charm intact. The Apollo 16 mission included the collection of rock samples from the moon's Descartes Highlands. Evidence of rock formed by impact rather than volcano surprised scientists, providing new insight into the history of our closest celestial neighbor. With a COA from astronaut Charles M. Duke reading in full, ''This is to certify that this charm accompanied me aboard our Lunar Module Orion to the Descartes Highlands of the Moon, where it landed on April 20, 1972. This charm then spent the next three days on the surface of the Moon housed in my Personal Preference Kit (PPK) in the Orion. The charm was given to me my friend Ron Swim and I promised to carry it to the Lunar Surface and then to return it to Ron to be given to his wife Rosalie. I carried this charm with me and gave it to Rosalie after I returned from the moon. Each astronaut was allowed to carry a certain number of personal items that were stored in our Personal Preference Kit (PPK). These items, though personal, were a part of the official stowage list for the Apollo 16 mission. This charm represents one of the most intimate treasures here on Earth of the items that I carried to the surface of the Moon.'' Gold charm measures 1.25'' in diameter and is still housed in an original piece of wax paper with the name ''R. Swim'' handwritten in pen on a piece of tape. Front of charm reads ''qui hier / que demain'' with a red cross of rubies and four diamonds beneath it. Verso is engraved in elegant script, ''20th / March 10, 1974 / Lunar Landing / April 20, 1972 / Apollo 16'', with a 14k marker. Very minor tarnishing in two spots , else near fine.
Apollo 16 Charm, Left on the Moon for 3 Days in the PPK on the Orion! -- With COA From Astronaut Charles Duke -- ''...This charm then spent the next three days on the surface of the Moon...''
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