Nevada Moon Rocks on Display

The smaller of two samples of moon rocks on display
at Nevada State Museum in Carson City through August 11.

Debunking a myth, Nevada’s moon rocks are not missing. In fact, moon rocks gifted to the Nevada State Museum and carried from space on Apollo 11 and Apollo 17 missions are safe, sound, and on public display in Carson City through August 11.

For more than a decade, a rumor has swirled that the moon rocks provided to several states were lost. The rumor circulated again recently, though Nevada’s samples have always been in the museum’s collections.

“They aren’t missing and never have been,” says Peter Barton, administrator of the Nevada State Division of Museums and History. “I saw them again for myself [recently]. We invite the public to come see for themselves. We just added what some experts say is the cannon John C. Fremont carried across the western states as he mapped out much of what is Nevada. We think these explorers had some things in common and hope people will come see both great pieces."

To celebrate the debut of  “Our Nevada Stories,” a new collection of artifacts has been gathered in advance of the state’s 150th birthday in 2014. Starting Saturday, July 27, the public can enjoy the moon rocks as part of the exhibit. For a more information about Nevada's moon rocks, refer to this 2009 Nevada Magazine story.

The museum is at 600 North Carson Street in Carson City. Admission is $8 for adults and free for members and ages 17 and younger. For information, call 775-687-4810 or click here.

Nevada 150 Commemorative Silver Coins

Through September 1, visitors to the Nevada State Museum in Carson City will have a chance to witness a piece of Nevada's history in the making. In celebration of Nevada's sesquicentennial, 1,000 one-ounce NV150 commemorative coins will be made from a silver ingot, which is now on display at the museum. The 1,000-ounce bar of silver, mined from 4,000 tons of exclusively Nevada ore, will be melted down and stamped with the “CC” mint mark, honoring the state’s sesquicentennial which is Nevada Day, 2014.

The Coeur mining company near Lovelock donated the bar of silver to be used for the celebration. The mine has produced more than 130 million ounces of silver over 27 years, including the donated bar that is one foot long, six inches deep, and weighs more than 60 pounds.

The Northwest Territorial Mint in Dayton is in charge of melting the ingot to produce the coins. Coin sales will help fund the Nevada 150 events. Sale price is to be determined.

The museum is located at 600 N. Carson St. and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $8 for adults. Visitors who are 17 and younger and museum members are free.