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Author
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Topic: The Jefferson-In-Space Museum ($2 bills)
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Gilbert
Member Posts: 1328
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 08-06-2010 02:55 PM
   
Another fantastic addition to the museum! |
NJSPACEFAN
Member Posts: 128
From: Ocala, FL USA
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 08-07-2010 09:42 AM
Rich, what a fantastic piece! I remember you're mentioning this item and your goal to acquire it. Persistence pays off. Job well done! It certainly is a sweet addition to a wonderful collection. Proud to have helped you in the past. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1255
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 08-07-2010 12:04 PM
Rich, that is one truly fantastic addition to your collection. A multiple mission flown artifact is very rare. I love the progressive nature of the bill's journey into space. First the bill flew into Low Earth Orbit, then it rode into lunar orbit and finally, it landed on the Moon's surface. That makes it very rare indeed. Very nice pickup and it exhibited a lot of patience and persistence. Sometimes the chase is as good as the capture. |
Joel Katzowitz
Member Posts: 808
From: Marietta GA USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 08-07-2010 01:10 PM
What a awesome addition to the museum, even if it is a bit wrinkly. |
DMScott
Member Posts: 354
From: Lexington, MA, USA
Registered: Dec 2005
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posted 08-10-2010 04:46 AM
Your amazing museum shows what focusing on a particular collecting niche can become. Congrats on the new acquisition.I own Gene Cernan's Apollo 17 lunar surface APK. And when I spoke to him about its contents, he indeed mentioned the $2 bill. |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 10-01-2010 07:01 PM
Got your creative hats on? I just launched a 7-day contest on LogoGuru to design an official logo for The Jefferson In Space Museum, which will have a full, new website re-launch next year as a virtual musuem (and not just a blogspot page). Top prize is $500 and the thrill of knowing that your design will grace the Museum forever. If you want to throw your hat into the ring, or know of a good graphic artist that would like an easy commission, go here and click on the creative brief. Then go to town! |
Gilbert
Member Posts: 1328
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 10-02-2010 07:42 AM
This has Joel Katzowitz's name all over it. |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 10-02-2010 09:41 AM
This is really cool an unique. Now I want to get some $2 bills. Just because I can... |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 10-02-2010 09:47 AM
Yeah, I really want to have fun with this one. There are some good ideas starting to pop up on the site. I really like #6 so far, with the colors, the galactic swirl, and the character of Jefferson -- that is the direction. There are no "known" shuttle flown $2 bills, so I'd like to see a different craft. And there are so many elements to play with on a design -- the moon, orbital paths, $2 bills, Jefferson in WSS, Jefferson EVA, etc etc etc. I do hope a cSer wins - but it is open to world wide competiton. LogoGuru is ideal for this sort of "crowd sourcing" competitive design. The whole goal is to put some personality behind what will be a virtual museum. |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 10-02-2010 09:48 AM
...and maybe I should pay the winner in $2 bills (unflown, of course...) |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 10-06-2010 11:04 AM
The logo competition has a little over a day to go. Thanks to cSers who have contributed designs: keep 'em coming. Others: would love to hear your thoughts on the logos--any stand outs in your mind? Favorites? Feel free to email me off-list too if you wish. |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 11-27-2011 10:00 AM
I am pleased to announce that after having the blog site up and running for a few years, I've decided to launch a full fledged "virtual" musuem for the flown Jefferson bills. If you get a chance, check it out at The Jefferson Space Museum. The virtual museum site, links back also to the original blog site and twitter site. Additionally, the new site features the JSM logo as designed by Detlev van Ravenswaay, who's outstanding logo won the logo competition and is now the official logo of the JSM. It's been a lot of fun putting this collection together, and sharing it via the web. Not sure if it is the ultimate expression of enthusiasm or vanity, but either way, for those of you who visit, I hope you enjoy! |
DMScott
Member Posts: 354
From: Lexington, MA, USA
Registered: Dec 2005
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posted 11-27-2011 10:32 PM
Rich, your collection is fantastic. Thank you for creating this virtual museum so others can experience what you have. |
music_space
Member Posts: 1179
From: Canada
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 11-28-2011 04:22 AM
Richard, I've viewed your entire site. Outstanding work indeed.I wish you'd explain - especially for folks from outside the US - the relative distinction of the two-dollar denomination, which is still a mystery to me: why is it rarely seen in current use in the US, why is it still in circulation, why was it picked among other denomination as an object to be flown in space, etc.. |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 11-28-2011 05:16 AM
Francois: One may as well ask why are black cats considered unlucky! The answer is superstition my friend. |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 11-28-2011 07:10 AM
Francois - the answer to your questions are as varied as the astronauts who took them, although the majority will be as Gary pointed out – for good luck. The blog portion of the site seeks to explore those issues on each bill. Consider Gene Cernan's three-times flown bill: the reason it is so worn looking is because first it had a life as a good luck charm in the wallet of Gene's father, who carried the bill and gave it to Gene for Gemini 9A. Gene's father died before he could give it back to him, and so Gene carried it with him on his other two flights... and even to this day, carries two dollar bills in his wallet for good luck (and in homage to his father). I can imagine some similar such emotional attachment to the bill in Gordon Cooper's case, as it is a singular two dollar bill flown on that mission (along with a dollar bill). For the others, they were carried out of a mix of luck and as a pure souvenir item. Like flags, currency is a symbol of national pride. Two dollar bills, while still printed, rarely are spent. They are considered more novelty items and collectibles... and so people save them. And so on some missions, like Apollo 15, they were take in larger quantities... about 50 at a pop. And while other bills were certainly taken ($1, $20, etc. - and some for different reasons, too, like $1 bills at times for NAA flight certifications, others as souvenirs, and still others as personal favors and mementos), I find the "trend" of $2 bills across so many missions just fascinating, given their relative rarity in normal circulation. To learn more about each bill per mission, go into the blog postings that go back a couple of years. And thanks for visiting the site! |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 11-28-2011 07:43 AM
That is one of the most incredible, enjoyable websites I've seen. Great job! |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 11-28-2011 04:18 PM
quote:
Originally posted by music_space:
I wish you'd explain - especially for folks from outside the US - the relative distinction of the two-dollar denomination, which is still a mystery to me: why is it rarely seen in current use in the US, why is it still in circulation, why was it picked among other denomination as an object to be flown in space, etc..
Why it's rarely seen in current use in the US can be partially attributed to that there's usually no space for it in a cashier's drawer: There's space for $1, $5, $10, and $20, with the fifth space (in a five-space till) used for coupons or rolled coins. (When I worked in retail we usually dropped our $50 and $100s into a drop safe to prevent robberies. And before anyone says, why not put coupons underneath the drawer and have space for $2s, it's easy to overlook whatever is underneath your drawer if it's not physically in your till at shift's end. Usually you just want to reconcile your drawer and get out of there.) In my opinion, the continued production of $1 bills prevents the $2 bill (and $1 coins) from being accepted more. I would like to see the government discontinue the $1 bill and push the coin and $2 bill - makes it easy buying Metrocards in NYC, or daily parking at my local bus terminal, for example - but they won't do that. |
Joel Katzowitz
Member Posts: 808
From: Marietta GA USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 11-28-2011 08:23 PM
Great job Rich. I checked out the new site over the weekend and enjoyed every minute of it. The graphic interface is cool and fun. I'm just glad you haven't started charging an admission fee. |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 11-29-2011 10:05 AM
Thanks everyone for your kind words. And visits! Paper money blogger (and collector) Tom Chao wrote about the new site today. |
Gilbert
Member Posts: 1328
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 11-29-2011 02:36 PM
Rich, I've already emailed you my accolades privately but wanted to publicly say that your Jefferson in Space Museum is one of the best manifestations of focused collecting I've ever seen. It gives those of us who are unfocused and undisciplined something to aspire to. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1255
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 11-29-2011 03:33 PM
Rich, it is truly an impressive website. I did buy a shot glass from the museum today through PayPal. Unfortunately, instead of using my credit card, Paypal cleaned out my checking and saving accounts as well as my 401K. So please send an equivalent number of shot glasses and one t-shirt. |
SkyMan1958
Member Posts: 867
From: CA.
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 11-29-2011 04:18 PM
It's a great looking upgrade! Congrats on putting it together! |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 11-29-2011 04:48 PM
Joel, Gil, Larry, Sy – thanks, much gents! I really appreciate it. Tell all your friends! And Larry – yes, congratulations: you are the first shopper at the JSM gift shop! Use the shot glass in good health.  |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1255
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 11-29-2011 08:53 PM
Great, I finally came in first in something. I will start drinking (heavily) as soon as it comes in. |
cosmos-walter
Member Posts: 691
From: Salzburg, Austria
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted 11-30-2011 03:12 PM
Rich, you have a great collection and a great home-page. Congratulations! |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 01-19-2012 09:40 AM
Euromoney magazine, one of the world's leading financial magazines read by CEOs, CFO's, central bankers and the like, just published a short piece on the Jefferson Space Museum today on their website, and in their print journal that reaches over 140,000 subscribers. |
Joel Katzowitz
Member Posts: 808
From: Marietta GA USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 01-19-2012 11:19 AM
Nice write up Rich. Loved your "sky is the limit" quote! |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 04-16-2012 08:47 PM
Check it out! The JSM took advantage of JP Aerospace's "pong-sat" program of student high altitude balloon studies to launch Astronaut Tom into (the edge) of space. I posted some pictures to the Jefferson Space Museum blog site. My favorite is the one with the moon out on the horizon. See image below. Thought fans of the collection might enjoy seeing some of the other images, too. I've posted a few and you can see them at the JSM blogsite.  |
DMScott
Member Posts: 354
From: Lexington, MA, USA
Registered: Dec 2005
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posted 04-20-2012 06:34 PM
Wow -- Looking good! |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 05-29-2012 10:33 PM
I had always heard of the famous $1 bills flown on space flights for the official NAA certification process, but had never seen them. Tried for years to track them down. Even contacted the head librarian of the NAA, who knew of the practice but could never locate the bills for some writing projects of mine. Even spoke to a few astronauts about the tradition, and they remembered it...they just didn't know what happened to the bills. No one really did that I asked. Until now...I was on the Smithsonian website tonight, looking at items in the society/pop culture section for another project relevant to spaceflight, and stumbled upon the entire collection of Apollo flown NAA flight certification $1 bills. If you scroll down about halfway through, you will see a bunch of Apollo mission autographed bills. Click on anyone and read the description. The most complete set of flown $1 bills across all of Apollo — never to be in private hands. Note that the items description says that these bills are not on display, and most likely in storage. Too bad. What an amazing collection! Note, too, that some flights flew four bills. And other flights only have one bill represented. Makes me think the other three bills were kept by the crews of those flights... and gives some hope to private collectors that maybe a bill or two from those flights will become available someday. (Or perhaps they only took one bill for those flights.) Anyway, I thought fans and collectors of flown currency would enjoy looking at those bills as much as I do. They are an important part of the story and tradition of astronauts carrying currency into space. Here is an image of one of the 4 flown NAA bills from Apollo 11:  |
NJSPACEFAN
Member Posts: 128
From: Ocala, FL USA
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 05-30-2012 03:05 PM
Great find Rich!! I know you've been hunting these down for a loooonnng time! |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 02-16-2014 09:08 PM
Pleased to announce the launch of a completely revised and overhauled Jefferson Space Museum website. It is optimized for mobile devices, and has integrated my blog as well as incorporated the JSM Twitter handle @AstronautTom and Facebook page. Please follow updates on Twitter and like us on Facebook! And, as always, don't forget to take a tour of the Gift Shop before you head out of the museum... |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 02-23-2014 09:50 AM
For those who haven't visited the upgraded site yet, I have updated all of the galleries with new photos, and vintage news reel clips, photos of some of the astronauts with the bills, flight certs, and more. (I also fixed all the annoying typos, too...) |
SkyMan1958
Member Posts: 867
From: CA.
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 02-23-2014 12:37 PM
I enjoyed that Rich. It was fun seeing the Gemini 9 liftoff via the link. |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 05-18-2014 10:15 AM
On this date 45 years ago today, one of the rarest flown $2 bills launched with the crew of Apollo 10 on its second of three historic spaceflights. |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 06-26-2015 09:38 PM
For those interested, I am pleased to announce the latest addition to the Jefferson Space Museum -- a $2 bill flown on Apollo 16! Click through the link to learn more about this amazing, crew signed bill! |
Greggy_D
Member Posts: 977
From: Michigan
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 06-26-2015 10:11 PM
Fantastic acquisition, Rich! The bill looks like it is in pristine condition....even after 43 years since its flight. |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 06-26-2015 10:14 PM
Thanks! Yes, it is in crisp, unc. condition.(Like the Apollo 15 flown bills, really.) The original owner is a life-long numismatist -- thus one of the reasons he asked the crew to take this bill -- and he was a great custodian of it for all these years. I love the fact that the signatures were applied to the bill before the mission -- thus the sigs "flew" too! |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 06-29-2015 02:48 PM
I dare say, out of all the collections out there, this is my favorite (after my own of course).Very nice addition!! |
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