First Man in Space (Yuri Gagarin, 1961) Silver Proof 'Orbital' Coin
Country of Origin:  Australia
Production year: 2008
Type: Proof
UPC: 9-327025-015583
Mint catalogue number: 08K70AAA
Collection number: (#46)
Production mint:  • Perth Mint
Purchase place:  • Perth Mint
Purchase date: 25 July 2009
Purchase price: Hidden
Overview
First Man In Space - Yuri Gagarin 2008 Silver Proof 'Orbital' Coin

The second release from The Perth Mint’s innovative Orbit and Beyond Series celebrates Yuri Gagarin, Soviet cosmonaut & national hero, who became the first human in space, and the first to orbit the Earth, on 12 April 1961.

99.9% Pure Silver
Struck by The Perth Mint, the coin comprises 1oz of 99.9% pure silver with a central core made of non-precious metal.

Coloured Reverse Design
The coin’s reverse comprises the border inscription 1961 FIRST MAN IN SPACE – YURI GAGARIN, and a montage of coloured images symbolising his epic journey. Blasting-off in Vostok 1 from Baikonur in Soviet central Asia, Gagarin completed a single orbit of the Earth in 108 minutes, before re-entering the atmosphere & parachuting back to the Soviet Union.

Unique ‘Orbital’ Coin Construction
Thanks to the coin’s unique construction, these design elements literally ‘orbit’ around a coloured representation of Earth.

Issued As Legal Tender
Issued as legal tender under the authority of the Government of the Cook Islands, the coin's obverse depicts the Raphael Maklouf effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 2008 year-date, and the monetary denomination surrounding another coloured image of the Earth.

Limited Mintage
The Perth Mint was to release no more than 25,000 ‘orbital’ coins celebrating Yuri Gagarin.

Elliptical-Shaped Display Case
Each coin, which is protected by an acrylic capsule, is housed in an elliptical-shaped silver display case. The case comes in a blue box shipper with a lid depicting the famous cosmonaut.

Numbered Certificate of Authenticity
Each coin is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
Images
First Man in Space (Yuri Gagarin, 1961) Silver Proof 'Orbital' Coin
First Man in Space (Yuri Gagarin, 1961) Silver Proof 'Orbital' Coin
Additional Image(s)
Specs
 Content
Silver....99.999 %
 Details
Weight (Troy oz)....1
Weight (g)....31.140
Diameter (mm)....38.79
Thickness (mm)....3.75
 Monetary
Year of Issue....2008
Country of Issue....Cook Islands
Denomination....Dollar (CID)
Value....1
 Mintage
Coins Minted....25,000
Certificate of Authenticity....08,401