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Author
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Topic: NASA's 50th anniversary flown-metal medallion
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-24-2009 05:18 PM
   
Although NASA celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008, the space agency has ordered their official 50th Anniversary commemorative medal from Winco Intl. This medal will officially commemorate NASA's 50th milestone, and will be ready in late April 2009.
For the first time, NASA has allowed public orders of a flown-metal medal from the one-time production run of NASA 50th Anniversary medals that has been authorized.The medal will be minted in part from metal flown on a space shuttle mission.  The number of medals to be minted was not yet known but it was characterized by Winco as much more limited than what is the norm for NASA authorized medals. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-26-2009 04:30 PM
Winco will not be accepting retail orders for these medals from the general public however they have extended a special offer to collectSPACE. Readers who contact Winco through Wednesday, March 4 will be able to order up to five of the medals for themselves.The rates are as follows: - one (1) to two (2) medals are $9.95 each;
- three (3) to four (4) medals are $7.00 each; and,
- five (5) medals are $5.50 each.
Small plastic display stands (as pictured below) are also available for $1.50 each. If ordering stands, the following shipping fees increase by a $1.00.Shipping and handling is as follows: - for one (1) medal add $3.50;
- for two (2) to three (3) medals add $4.50;
- for four (4) to five (5) medals add $6.00;
The shipping rates quoted are for U.S. domestic orders only. Please contact Winco for international shipping rates.Orders can be placed by contacting Winco directly, either by phone or via e-mail.  |
skye12
Member Posts: 49
From: Austin, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-27-2009 10:19 AM
Seems like buying 5 @ $5.50 each is the way to go rather than 1 @ $9.95. |
xlsteve
Member Posts: 391
From: Holbrook MA, USA
Registered: Jul 2008
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posted 02-27-2009 04:34 PM
I placed my order today, and I appreciate them allowing us to order these, and Robert for arranging this.
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liebeek
Member Posts: 247
From: the netherlands
Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 02-28-2009 06:00 PM
I contacted Winco and they were very helpful.It looks like a great coin and I would like to thank you Robert for making this buy possible. |
randy
Member Posts: 2176
From: West Jordan, Utah USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 03-01-2009 11:07 PM
I've ordered one. Thanks to Robert for making these available to us before anybody else gets them! |
spaceman1953
Member Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 03-02-2009 06:31 PM
Ditto... thanks for setting this up for us! It is sincerely appreciated! |
RMH
Member Posts: 577
From: Ohio
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 03-03-2009 05:53 PM
For those that ordered thru e-mail did you get a response that the order was received? I placed an order a couple days ago but have not heard anything back. Thanks! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-03-2009 05:57 PM
When I heard from Winco's president last night, he mentioned they were running a bit behind in the follow-up to orders, but expected to catch up soon. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-04-2009 08:43 AM
Due to a few NASA orders that have been delayed, Winco has extended the order deadline to March 10, 2009. Winco still anticipates being able to ship by the end of April (no later than beginning of May). |
mcduffstuff
Member Posts: 26
From:
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 03-04-2009 05:25 PM
I called and talked with them last Wednesday and this Tuesday and both times they took my name and info with the promise to send me an order form. So far I have not received anything. Anybody have a similar expereince or have the form I need to send in? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-05-2009 07:26 PM
Winco usually does not work with retail orders so this has been somewhat new for them and as such they are working through a backlog of requests. They assure me however, that they will get in touch with all those who contacted them.If you have concerns, you can call (818) 718-1191 and talk with whomever answers the phone. If you still experience problems, you can contact Winco's president Andy Boston at Andy@GoWinco.com and he'll take care of you. I would ask however, for patience. They are processing these orders as a special opportunity for collectSPACE readers and I'd like them to feel comfortable doing so again when appropriate in the future. |
WSTFphoto
Member Posts: 70
From: Las Cruces, NM, USA
Registered: May 2005
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posted 03-05-2009 08:50 PM
I placed my order the other day and I have confidence in Winco. Many thanks to Robert for facilitating this offer. |
Rizz
Member Posts: 1208
From: Upcountry, Maui, Hawaii
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 03-05-2009 10:05 PM
FYI, from their order form: In consideration of NASA's graciousness in allowing us to offer this medallion to the public, Winco must ask for your sensitivity - PLEASE, no reselling on ebay or at any other auctions. Although Winco cannot control what you do with your purchase, we must make this request and also mention, if there is an auction problem on these coins, NASA may never allow an offer like this again. Thanks in advance for your sensitivity to this more than appropriate request! |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 03-06-2009 12:36 AM
Shall we start a pool as to the date the first one shows up on eBay or astro-auction? |
mdmyer
Member Posts: 900
From: Humboldt KS USA
Registered: Dec 2003
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posted 03-06-2009 06:27 AM
I bet it is within hours of someone receiving one. It might have been better if they had limited the orders. I only ordered two, one for me and one for Miranda.When I placed my order they took my credit card number so I don't expect any problems with the order. Not waiting for them to contact me or following up with anything else. |
spaceman1953
Member Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 03-10-2009 03:56 PM
Like Mike Myer, I felt comfortable with the ordering process.I got an email with the order form, invited to send it back any number of ways as well as sending credit/debit card information, and followed up promptly. I did not see the information concerning NON-reselling of these on the form, however, but that was surely not my original intent anyway, because the sale price was so reasonable. It took a couple of days before they "hit" the credit/debit card... I thought maybe they were waiting till things were shipped. But I did not care, because, with me, you always gotta take the money when it is available! I did not and do not expect any problems getting my order when the medals are available. |
jeffbassett
Member Posts: 109
From: Toledo
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 03-11-2009 03:15 PM
Thanks for the heads up and opportunity on these. I ordered five of them, one for each of my kids and two for myself. I placed the order right over the phone. They said they would charges as they are shipping. The charge just showed up on my account, so I expect they should be shipping soon. Looking forward to adding them to the collection. |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 03-29-2009 08:19 AM
Very efficient, they even e-mailed me the shipping rates to the U.K. for confirmation before processing my order!
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86horn
Member Posts: 73
From: College Station, Texas
Registered: Nov 2004
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posted 04-20-2009 12:30 PM
Anyone received theirs yet? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-20-2009 02:52 PM
Winco is expecting receipt of the finished medals at the end of this week and if possible, will begin shipping them to customers on Friday (if not, then definitely next week). |
teopze
Member Posts: 180
From: Warsaw, Poland
Registered: May 2008
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posted 04-22-2009 06:21 AM
So, any news on the number of produced medallions? I wonder how do they understand "much more limited than what is the norm". |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-22-2009 08:47 AM
I'll inquire as to the number produced, but with regards to the "more limited" than norm, that was as a result of NASA ordering fewer be produced than in the past. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 04-30-2009 12:28 PM
Received mine in the mail today. Made in China sticker on the case - which I assume refers to the case itself! |
space4u
Member Posts: 323
From: Cleveland, OH USA
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 05-01-2009 08:11 PM
Received my medals today in the mail. Very nice packaging. I also bought one plastic stand and one of medals is now on display at home with other space coins. Thanks Robert for the heads up on these coins! |
randy
Member Posts: 2176
From: West Jordan, Utah USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 05-01-2009 10:34 PM
I got mine today. I am very satisfied with it. Thanks again to Robert for the heads up on this collectors item! |
daveblog
Member Posts: 135
From: Bergenfield, NJ USA
Registered: May 2004
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posted 05-02-2009 09:19 AM
Mine arrived in NJ this morning. A very nice addition to my small but growing collection! |
jeffbassett
Member Posts: 109
From: Toledo
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 05-02-2009 05:56 PM
My order arrived here in Ohio today. The coins are beautiful pieces. A huge Thank You to Robert and all others involved for making these available to us. |
JFS61
Member Posts: 101
From: Bryan, Texas USA
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted 05-04-2009 03:50 PM
Got mine today - Very nice. |
spaceman1953
Member Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 05-04-2009 05:57 PM
Ditto, mine arrived Friday or Saturday. Suppose I gotta keep that Made in China label on it, huh? (Other editorial comments I will keep to myself!)Thanks to all involved for giving us a GREAT souvenir! |
Linda K
Member Posts: 62
From: Greensboro, NC 27455
Registered: Aug 2008
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posted 05-04-2009 06:37 PM
Received mine today - so glad I ordered extra! I plan to keep one for myself, and am awarding the others to deserving students from the high school astronomy club.Robert - as always, thank you so much for keeping us advised of these wonderful opportunities! |
xlsteve
Member Posts: 391
From: Holbrook MA, USA
Registered: Jul 2008
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posted 05-05-2009 02:01 PM
Mine was waiting for me when I got home last night. It's a really nice piece. A stupid question - is the medal permanently in the holder? Or can the holder be opened. I didn't want to try it for fear finding out the answer was 'no' the hard way. Not that I'll be opening it up, just curious. |
dsenechal
Member Posts: 539
From:
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 05-05-2009 04:41 PM
I just received my medallions today, and they do indeed look very nice. My only other comment relates to the Made in China stickers proudly affixed. Since the piece of a space shuttle was exported to China to use in the melt, would that constitute a violation of the rules prohibiting exportation of spacecraft and missile components?  Seriously, though, these are very nice items.In answer to the question above, yes, the plastic case can be opened. It's a friction-fit case, and can be opened by prying the seam with a sharp edge. |
spaceman1953
Member Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 05-05-2009 04:47 PM
No, we are assuming that only the plastic case was Made in China.They can be opened, and without removing/tearing the label. The case sits inside itself. I opened one partially to clarify that there appears to be a black "ring" around either the medallion or between the two pieces of the plastic case? But then I clipped by thumbnail/tool before I got it all the way open and did not retry opening one. |
teopze
Member Posts: 180
From: Warsaw, Poland
Registered: May 2008
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posted 05-11-2009 12:53 AM
I still didn't get my coin but I'm sure it will change soon.At the same time, I found something potentially disturbing. In my opinion it was rather inevitable, but still maybe some formal action should be taken? |
xlsteve
Member Posts: 391
From: Holbrook MA, USA
Registered: Jul 2008
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posted 05-11-2009 07:48 AM
quote:
Originally posted by teopze:
In my opinion it was rather inevitable, but still maybe some formal action should be taken?
I agree it's unfortunate, and was likely to happen. I'm not sure what action could be taken, though. Once they've bought it, it's that person's to do with as they like. The 'no-ebay' clause was based on the honor system anyway, and that is not binding for some folks. Plus in this economy, people are trying to make money any way they can. |
liebeek
Member Posts: 247
From: the netherlands
Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 05-11-2009 03:06 PM
I have not received yet as well so I suppose it takes a little longer being in Europe. Hope to receive this week though.Heard so much about it here and cannot see for myself.  |
TRS
Member Posts: 721
From: Wellington, New Zealand
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 05-12-2009 05:42 AM
Mine arrived in New Zealand yesterday - they are fantastic and so much better than the photos show - and big!Nice job Robert - what a great opportunity you secured for us on this. |
liebeek
Member Posts: 247
From: the netherlands
Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 05-12-2009 02:10 PM
Received today! Really great coin! Very happy with it. Again Robert: thank you very much for making this possible! |
Diggin
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 05-18-2009 06:44 AM
Nice looking coin! Wish I found this site sooner. |
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