Obverse. KM#: 3.2 (6 star variety). Photo © Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS.com)
  • 2 Rials 1969, KM# 3, Yemen, North (Arab Republic), Apollo 11, Moon Landing, KM#: 3.2 (6 star variety)
  • 2 Rials 1969, KM# 3, Yemen, North (Arab Republic), Apollo 11, Moon Landing, KM#: 3.2 (6 star variety)
  • 2 Rials 1969, KM# 3, Yemen, North (Arab Republic), Apollo 11, Moon Landing, KM#: 3.1 (7 star variety)
Description

Apollo 11 (July 16–24, 1969) was the American spaceflight that first landed humans on the Moon. Commander Neil Armstrong and Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin landed the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle on July 20, 1969, at 20:17 UTC, and Armstrong became the first person to step onto the Moon's surface six hours and 39 minutes later, on July 21 at 02:56 UTC. Aldrin joined him 19 minutes later, and they spent about two and a quarter hours together exploring the site they had named Tranquility Base upon landing. Armstrong and Aldrin collected 47.5 pounds (21.5 kg) of lunar material to bring back to Earth as pilot Michael Collins flew the Command Module Columbia in lunar orbit, and were on the Moon's surface for 21 hours, 36 minutes before lifting off to rejoin Columbia.

The Yemen Arab Republic (YAR), also known simply as North Yemen or Yemen (Sanaʽa), was a country from 1962 to 1990 in the northwestern part of what is now Yemen. Its capital was at Sanaʽa. It united with the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (commonly known as South Yemen) on May 22, 1990 to form the current Republic of Yemen.

Obverse

Depicts the coat of arms of the Yemen Arab Republic (1967–1974) surrounded by country name in Arabic and English, denomination in Arabic and English with date in Gregorian calendar year below.

The national emblem of Yemen depicts the Hawk of Quraish with a scroll between its claws. On the scroll is written the name of the country (Yemen Arab Republic) in Arabic. The chest of the eagle contains a shield that depicts a coffee plant and the Marib Dam, with seven blue wavy stripes below. The flagstaffs on the right and left of the eagle hold the flag of Yemen.

The Hawk of Quraish is a symbol which is found on a number of emblems, coat of arms and flags of several states of the Arab world. The Arabs of the Arabian Peninsula, today especially those from the Persian Gulf coast, are traditionally falconry experts; falcons (and hawks) are seen as status symbols and one of the Arabs' favourite animals. Also the traditions and recorded history about the Quraysh and Muhammad claim a falcon had been used as clan symbol. Therefore, several variants of the Quraishi hawk were and are seen in the flags, coat of arms, seals and emblems of several Arab states until today. In that meaning, the Hawk of Quraish is a rival to the so-called Eagle of Saladin.

الجمهورية العربية اليمنية
2 R ريالان ٢
1969-١٩٦٩
YEMEN ARAB REPUBLIC

Reverse

Depicts Moon landing scene, Neil A. Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. collecting rocks with the Lunar Module Eagle in the background, USA flag, Columbia Module and Earth above, and inscriptions in Arabic and English above.

The Apollo Lunar Module (LM), initially known as the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM), functioned as the lunar lander spacecraft during the United States' Apollo program, shuttling between lunar orbit and the Moon's surface. It holds the distinction of being the inaugural crewed spacecraft to operate solely in the airless vacuum of space, and remains the sole crewed vehicle to land beyond Earth.

The Command Module Columbia (CM-107) served as the command module for Apollo 11, the groundbreaking mission that marked the first human landing on the Moon. Among the spacecraft deployed during the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, Columbia is the sole craft that made the journey back to Earth.

APOLLO 11 16 JULY 1969 اپولو ١١ ١٦ يوليو ١٩٦٩

Edge

2 Rials

KM# 3 Schön# 117
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 25 g
Diameter 37 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Alt # KM# 3.1, KM# 3.2

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