CAG-certified Beta Cloth from the Michael Collins Collection Realizes $81,250

A piece of Apollo 11-flown Beta cloth from the Michael Collins Collection sold for $81,250 after it was certified by Collectibles Authentication Guaranty™ (CAG®).

Michael Collins, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin served as the crew for the important Apollo 11 mission, the first to put men on the moon. After their return, the three astronauts autographed this 6-inch-by-6-inch swath of fireproof material, which features the notation “Carried to the Moon aboard Apollo XI July 1969” along the with the Apollo 11 mission insignia.

6-inch-by-6-inch piece of Beta cloth, flown on Apollo 11, certified by CAG as part of Michael Collins' collection. Realized: $81,250 Click image to enlarge.

Collins, who was the Command Module Pilot on the historic mission, created the famous Apollo 11 mission insignia, which shows an eagle landing on the cratered surface of the moon, with the Earth in the background. This design was famously adapted for the reverse of the Eisenhower dollar in the 1970s.

Earlier this year, Collins and his family selected CAG to certify selections from his personal collection. Among these items was this piece of Beta cloth, which was encapsulated in a protective CAG holder with a special label that was also autographed by Collins.

After leaving NASA, Collins served as director of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., which now counts the Apollo 11 Command Module as part of its collection. Today, Collins is 88 and retired.

CAG is an expert and impartial certification service that authenticates and preserves the provenance of collectibles, memorabilia and estate items at the source. CAG is an independent member of the Certified Collectibles Group® (CCG®), which includes the leading certification services for coins, paper money, comic books, magazines, concert posters, stamps and other collectibles. Together, the CCG companies have certified more than 53 million collectibles since 1987.

The first major collection certified by CAG was The Armstrong Family Collection™, which comprises thousands of items saved by Armstrong and his immediate family. More than 1,500 of these artifacts realized more than $7.5 million when they were offered by Heritage Auctions at sales in November 2018 and May 2019; another auction is planned for July.

About Collectibles Authentication Guaranty (CAG)

CAG works directly with collectors, estates, artists and museums to preserve the authenticity and provenance of memorabilia and estate items at the source. Memorabilia, estate items and other diverse collections benefit from CAG’s unique process, holders and expertise. With authenticity and provenance guaranteed, collectors have greater confidence, which results in a safer and more vibrant marketplace.