Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Commemorative Bronze Medallions (4) - Value: $400

Each of these bronze medallions represent 4 distinct missions to space. Perfect for the space enthusiast, collector or as a gift to inspire a young person to pursue their scientific dreams. Thanks to the numismatic society at JPL, historic missions of our American space program are commemorated.

Mariner 9 (Mariner I)

In 1971, the Mariner 9 spacecraft beat the Soviet Mars 2 to the Red Planet to become the first spacecraft to orbit another planet.

Launch date: May 30, 1971

Mariner 10

The first mission to employ gravity assist, or using the gravity of a planet to alter a spacecraft's speed and trajectory to fly by its target planet, the Mariner 10 mission flew by both Venus and Mercury, snapping photos and collecting data.

Launch Date: Nov. 3, 1973

Viking 1 & 2

Viking 1: The first spacecraft to successfully land on Mars, Viking 1 was part of a two-part mission to investigate the Red Planet and search for signs of life.

Launch date: Aug. 20, 1975

Viking 2: The spacecraft landed on Mars in September 1976 -- immediately following the first successful spacecraft landing on Mars by Viking 1 -- and was part of NASA's early two-part mission to investigate the Red Planet and search for signs of life.

Launch Date: Sept. 9, 1975

Galileo

While its aim was to study Jupiter and its mysterious moons, which it did with much success, NASA's Galileo mission also became notable for discoveries during its journey to the gas giant.

Launch Date: Oct 18, 1989