Medal, Commemorative, Apollo 17, National Commemorative Society

This sterling silver Apollo 17 commemorative medal was struck by the National Commemorative Society. The Apollo 17 mission from December 7-19, 1972 was the last of the six successful human lunar landing missions that began with Apollo 11 in July 1969. Eugene A. Cernan, Ronald E. Evans, and Harrison H. Schmitt were the three Apollo 17 astronauts. Major achievements of Apollo 17 included the longest lunar surface stay (almost 75 hours), the longest mission (almost 302 hours), and the most lunar samples returned to earth (250 pounds). The National Commemorative Society donated this medal to the National Collection in 1974.