55th Moon Landing Anniversary : A Journey Through Space History

• The Moonwatch
• Commemorative Moon Landing Coins
• Space Toys and Model Kits
• Lighters
• Cameras and Prints
• Conclusion

Today we are celebrating one of humanity’s most monumental achievements: the moon landing. In 1969, Apollo 11 launched into space and reached the moon after 3 days, 3 hours, and 49 minutes on July 20th. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took their historic steps onto the lunar surface, marking a pinnacle of human brilliance and determination. As the UK’s biggest buyer of vintage items, we have received multiple moon landing memorabilia, including coins, watches and collectables. We are excited to celebrate this incredible achievement by delving into fascinating facts and unique memorabilia from the Apollo 11 mission with our product experts.

The Moonwatch

The Omega Speedmaster Professional Watch, famously known as the "Moonwatch," was integral to all six moon landings. It features a 42 mm stainless steel case, sapphire crystal, a white lacquered step dial, and a lunar-patterned black rubber strap. Remaining in production today, the Moonwatch remains a flagship model for Omega, with prices ranging from £5,000 to £7,000, and special editions and vintage models fetching significantly higher sums. Our experts say "the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch is not only precise and durable but is the only watch approved for extravehicular activity, having been tested under the extreme conditions of space missions." 

Commemorative Moon Landing Coins

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing in 2019, the U.S. Mint released a series of coins with a unique curved design, showing a detailed depiction of Buzz Aldrin's helmet visor reflecting Neil Armstrong, the lunar module, and the U.S. flag. The Royal Mint in the UK issued coins that highlighted different aspects of the mission, including the famous Saturn V rocket that carried the astronauts to the moon for the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. The commemorative UK coin is part of a limited mintage of 29,220 units, which aligns with the number of days between the D-Day landings and the 80th anniversary in 2024.

Australia, through the Perth Mint, released multiple coins, including a $1 coin that depicted the lunar module Eagle landing on the moon. Canada and France have issued Apollo 11 commemorative coins as well, featuring artistic interpretations of the mission and technological achievements of the space program. These coins often include symbols of national pride intertwined with universal themes of exploration and innovation. According to coin experts at Vintage Cash Cow, some of the most minted moon landing commemorative coins globally are those issued by the United States Mint, especially those celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission in 2019. The U.S. Mint released a variety of coins, including a gold $5 coin, a silver dollar, a clad half dollar, and a five-ounce proof silver dollar.

Space Toys and Model Kits

Lego Space is a science fiction-themed Lego line introduced in 1978, focusing on space exploration, colonisation, and extraterrestrial life. It is one of the oldest and most extensive Lego themes, with over 300 sets issued to this day. The earliest sets dating from 1964 to 1973 featured basic bricks, while classic space sets dating 1978 to 1987 introduced more complex designs. Later themes like Life on Mars and Mars Mission launched in the early 2000’s and featured human-alien interactions, advanced technology and alien invasions.

One of the most notable examples of moon landing commemorative toys is the Lego Apollo Saturn V Set, released in 2017. This set stands about 1 metre tall and consists of 1,969 pieces, a nod to the year of the moon landing. It features detachable stages that mirror the real Saturn V rocket, mini-figures of the astronauts, and a display stand. It also includes a lunar module and a splashdown scene, offering a full narrative from launch to moon landing and return. Upon its initial release, the Apollo Saturn V set quickly sold out but was reissued in 2020, allowing more enthusiasts to own a piece of space history. 

The set's release was followed by the Lego Apollo 11 Lunar Lander in 2019, marking the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. This set is similarly detailed, featuring the lunar module "Eagle" with realistic elements like gold foil and a lunar surface base. LEGO also honours NASA's history with the Women of NASA set, which launched in 2017, featuring figures like Margaret Hamilton, and the Space Rocket Launch Center, drawing on real-world space missions for inspiration.

Apart from LEGO, several other vintage moon-landing toys have remained popular, according to our toy specialists. Some popular vintage toys are the GI Joe Astronaut, which features a space-suited figure complete with accessories like helmets and lunar vehicles, and the Fisher-Price "Alpha Probe" toy released in the late 1970s. Model kits were also a hit, with brands like Revell and Airfix producing detailed replicas of the Saturn V rocket, lunar module, and command module, allowing kids and adults alike to build and display models of the iconic spacecraft.

Lighters

The Zippo Moon Landing lighter collection launched in 2019 and was named ‘Collectible of the Year’. It features a detailed engraving of an astronaut, accompanied by the famous words, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." This design used Zippo's advanced color engraving technique to bring out the vibrant details of the galaxy and the Moon’s surface, creating a strong visual contrast. Our specialists recently acquired this 2015 edition Zippo lighter, featuring a moon landing scene on a blue background. This remarkable find originates from the private collection of a moon landing enthusiast and it includes original astronomy books and The Times newspaper from 1969, which document the historic moon landing and space exploration. 

While books or newspapers are some of the items we don't buy, we do welcome all kinds of smoking tools, lighters, cigarette holders, and memorabilia such as this collectible Zippo lighter. It was crafted in Bradford, PA, and embodies the brand's iconic windproof design and lifetime guarantee. These Zippo lighters are part of limited production runs, making them a sought-after item for collectors. They are periodically available through Zippo’s official website and authorized retailers, but they can sell out quickly, especially during commemorative periods such as anniversaries of the moon landing

Cameras and Prints

Have you ever wondered how the most iconic moon landing photo was taken? That breathtaking image was captured using a specially modified Hasselblad camera designed for the harsh conditions of space. This camera played a pivotal role in documenting the historic Apollo 11 mission, allowing us to witness the monumental moments of human exploration beyond our Earth.

The Swedish camera manufacturer, founded in 1941 by Victor Hasselblad, is renowned for its high-quality, medium-format cameras. The decision to use Hasselblad cameras for the Apollo missions was based on their superior image quality, reliability, and adaptability to extreme conditions. The association between NASA and Hasselblad began during the early 1960s when NASA was preparing for its upcoming lunar missions. The space agency needed a camera capable of capturing detailed, high-resolution images in the harsh lunar environment. Hasselblad accepted the challenge, creating a version of their 500C camera specifically modified for space use.

According to our camera specialists, the customised cameras for the Apollo missions were based on the motorised 500EL model, but with significant modifications to suit the unique demands of space. These modifications included stripping all unnecessary features to reduce weight and simplify the camera’s operation. The leather covering, auxiliary shutter, mirror, and viewfinder were removed because astronauts would be using the cameras while wearing bulky, gloved space suits. The film magazine was a custom creation that could hold more film than standard versions—up to 200 exposures. It was also pre-loaded with a thin, specially formulated film that could withstand extreme temperature fluctuations. 

The cameras were equipped with Zeiss wide-angle lenses, developed specifically for NASA. Renowned for its sharpness and minimal distortion, the Zeiss Biogon lens was chosen for its ability to capture high-resolution images in the harsh lunar environment. These lenses were paired with the modified Hasselblad 500EL cameras, ensuring clear, detailed photographs of the moon's surface and the astronauts' activities. The collaboration between NASA and Zeiss resulted in iconic images that continue to inspire awe and commemorate one of humanity's greatest achievements.

Common moon landing photography collectables feature vintage reprints and posters of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, while the most valuable items are original NASA-issued photos and film positives, especially those signed by the astronauts. Limited edition prints and rare photo series capturing unique moments from the mission are also popular among collectors, space enthusiasts and history buffs.

Conclusion

We're proud to celebrate the moon landing legacy through the unique memorabilia we've gathered, from Omega Speedmaster Moonwatches to commemorative coins and vintage space-themed toys. These items not only commemorate a pivotal moment in history but also connect us to the spirit of exploration and innovation. We can't wait to receive more moon-landing memorabilia and other pieces of history, allowing us to continue sharing these extraordinary stories and giving a second life to your preloved items.