Launch of Commemorative Coins to the ISS
A set of 2,026 coins marking the 250th anniversary of the United States was launched on Friday via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of a mission to the International Space Station.
The coins were lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 6:05 p.m. EDT on May 15. This launch was part of NASA’s 34th SpaceX Commercial Resupply Service Mission (CRS-34), designated to transport scientific materials and supplies to the numerous laboratories orbiting Earth.
US Mint Director Paul Hollis Coyne was present at Cape Canaveral, marking the beginning of his journey into space aboard the Dragon spacecraft, which carried around 6,500 pounds of cargo intended for the Expedition 74 crew, according to NASA.
Details of the Coins Sent to Space
The Mint confirmed that eight specific coins were taken aboard the station:
- 1 Nickel — 1776 ~ 2026 Jefferson Nickel
- 1 Dime — 1776 ~ 2026 Shinko Free Dime
- 1 Half Dollar — 1776 ~ 2026 Half Dollar of Enduring Freedom
- Five Quarters — Each themed design spanning from 1776 to 2026: Mayflower Compact, Revolutionary War, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Gettysburg Address
Some of the coins related to the 2026 designs are already out in circulation, including those exclusive to space.
The first series from the Mint included dual-date nickels, Emerging Liberty dimes, Enduring Liberty half-dollars, and Mayflower Compact quarters, followed up by Revolutionary War quarters that came out in March. Later this year, quarters related to the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Gettysburg Address will also hit circulation.
These coins show a design made for the Mint’s 500th anniversary, intended to be in circulation for just one year in 2026. The Emerging Liberty Dime and Enduring Liberty Half Dollar will temporarily replace the widely recognized Roosevelt Dime and Kennedy Half Dollar, and five quarters will highlight significant themes tied to the country’s founding and history.
As for the Jefferson Nickel, it retains its classic look but now has a double date stamped: 1776-2026, signifying the anniversary year.
Spaceflight Coin History
This recent flight adds another chapter to the history of U.S. coins that have travelled to space. For instance, in 1999, twelve 2000-watt proof Sacagawea dollars made from 22-carat gold orbited aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, completing about 80 laps around Earth, amounting to roughly 1.8 million miles. In 2025, seven of these coins were auctioned for prices between $360,001 and $550,001.
The Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to dock autonomously at the forward port of the station’s Harmony module at around 7 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 17. It will stay at the station until mid-June, after which it will return to Earth carrying both research and cargo, splashing down off the coast of California.
Along with crew supplies, CRS-34 is transporting various scientific ventures, exploring how well terrestrial simulators replicate microgravity, studying wooden bone scaffolds for potential osteoporosis treatments, and examining changes in red blood cells and the spleen in a space environment. Other instruments aboard will investigate charged particles surrounding Earth, planet formation, and sunlight reflections from both Earth and the moon.
The Mint revealed information about this flight through its official communication channels. However, it remains uncertain whether the coin will stay in space, return to Earth, or be set aside for a later exhibition or presentation.
