Coin, Smithsonian Commemorative, STS-79

This gold five dollar piece (proof) is one of two commemorative coins issued by the U.S. Mint to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Smithsonian Institution in 1996. It depicts James Smithson (obverse) and the Smithsonian's sunburst logo (reverse) with anniversary dates and other inscriptions. The commemorative set also includes a silver one dollar coin (proof). Two sets of these coins were flown aboard Space Shuttle "Atlantis" on the STS-79 mission in September 1996 and then presented by the crew in a ceremony at the National Air and Space Museum in December. One set remains in this Museum and the other is held in the Numismatics Collection of the National Museum of American History.