1988-P Medal D1988-3b, Young Astronauts Space Shuttle 38mm

Coin Details

Description

Swoger catalog number D1988-3b. This 38mm medal was struck at the United States Mint in Philadelphia for the Young Astronauts program, featuring Space Shuttle imagery. The standard 38mm format made this the most accessible and affordable entry in the Young Astronauts medal series. The Young Astronauts Council, established in 1984 with Jack Anderson as its first chairman, aimed to harness the excitement of space exploration to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. By 1988, the program had enrolled chapters in thousands of schools nationwide. The Space Shuttle depicted on the medal was America's primary crewed spacecraft for three decades, and its iconic silhouette became a symbol of American technological achievement. The Swoger catalog (D-series), compiled by Tom Swoger, documents modern U.S. Mint commemorative medals from 1956 onward.

Rarity Notes

Standard 38mm format — the most common and affordable Young Astronauts medal variant. Produced for broad public distribution. Exact mintage not separately reported.

Cross References

PCGS #76203; Swoger D1988-3b