1988 Marshall Islands $5 Space Shuttle $130

Updated September 3, 2026

1988 Marshall Islands $5 Space Shuttle $130 This 1988 Republic of the Marshall Islands $5 commemorative coin celebrates the historic Return to Flight mission of the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-26). Struck in brilliant uncirculated copper-nickel, the reverse features a dynamic engraving of the Discovery lifting off against a backdrop of stars, marking a pivotal moment in aerospace history following the Challenger disaster. This specific item comes housed in its original commemorative fold-out presentation card, which includes a detailed biographical tribute to the five veteran astronauts of the mission—Frederick Hauck, Richard Covey, David Hilmers, George Nelson, and John Lounge—alongside a vivid full-color photograph of the launch. As a significant piece of space race memorabilia, this coin serves as both a legal tender collectible and a historical document of NASA's resilience during the late 1980s. Condition: The item appears to be in its original government packaging, which typically preserves the coin in Uncirculated or Brilliant Uncirculated condition. The coin is sealed in a protective plastic film within a descriptive fold-out card. Based on the visual evidence, the surfaces appear clean with no major signs of oxidation or wear, though the packaging itself shows minor edge wear consistent with age. Mint: This coin was minted by the Roger Williams Mint in Attleboro, Massachusetts, on behalf of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Metal Content: This specific $5 denomination is composed of Copper-Nickel (CuNi), not precious metal. It has a weight of approximately 27.22 grams and a diameter of 38.7 mm. Historical Context: Issued in 1988, this coin commemorates the "Return to Flight" mission of the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-26). This was a significant historical milestone for NASA as it was the first shuttle mission flown after the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. The packaging honors the five astronauts of the mission: Hauck, Covey, Hilmers, Nelson, and Lounge. Strike Type: The strike type is a standard Business Strike or Uncirculated finish intended for collectors. While it has a proof-like appearance common to commemorative NCLT (Non-Circulating Legal Tender), it is categorized as a brilliant uncirculated commemorative issue. Grading: The coin is currently ungraded by professional third-party services (such as PCGS or NGC). In its current state, it is considered "Raw" in original mint packaging. Given the high mintage of these promotional sets, professional grading is rarely sought as the market value generally remains between $5 and $15, significantly lower than the $130 asking price mentioned. Space Shuttle Discovery, commemorative coin, Republic of the Marshall Islands, NASA, five dollars, launch, astronauts, space exploration, numismatics, collectible, mission STS-26, 1988, memorabilia, space shuttle program, Rick Hauck, Richard Covey, David Hilmers, George Nelson, John Lounge Space Shuttle Discovery Coin, Republic

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