The HST Discovery Series is anchored by a common reverse containing the official NASA "meatball" logo, an image of the Hubble Telescope and a quote from Edwin Hubble. Discovery Collectibles, an exclusive creator of rare coin and medallic art privately minted this series of space coins.

This first collection of ten designs focuses on the eight planets in our solar system and includes a rare Pluto coin, the last Pluto-Hubble coin approved by NASA before the planet was decommissioned in 2006. It also includes a remarkable Sun coin, striking in its powerful, kinetic design.

The entire issue is limited to 1000 sets worldwide and the dies are destroyed once the series has sold, insuring the rarity of the collection.

Russian born sculptor Alex Shagin who was awarded the prestigious American Numismatic Society J. Sanford Saltus Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Art of the Medal in 1995 created all the designs in the HST Discovery Series.

Mr. Shagin's work is displayed in institutions such as the National Air and Space Museum, the Hermitage Museum and the British Museum Permanent Numismatic Collection. One of the most respected coin sculptors of the past century; Alex has designed currency for many of the world's great mints, including the US Mint.

No computers were used in the design of the HST Series. Mr. Shagin carved each design by hand onto plaster molds then etched the final designs onto striking dies; a painstaking process requiring literally thousands of hours to complete.

Each coin is struck in high relief in brilliant nickel silver and features frosted sections that the frame the planets against a mirrored background as if viewed from a spacecraft.

The designs are billed as a "discovery in detail" by DCI and a brief look at them confirms the depth of Alex Shagin's talent. Continents and coastlines peek through high clouds over Earth, Mons Olympus throws towering shadows across stark Martian plains and methane vapor billows across Neptune's southern skies.

Not associated with the US Mint's "NASA and JPL 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act" which is slated to produce a $50 gold Sun coin and nine $1 silver planet coins, the HST Discovery Series designs are not legal tender but rather a pure collecting opportunity celebrating NASA and the Hubble Space telescope though the medallic arts.

According to Discovery Collectibles, NASA has approved a total of 30 designs and Alex Shagin has agreed to sculpt the remainder of the collection. Future designs will focus on Hubble's deep space discoveries. Plans include a set containing pieces of meteorite, flown metal from NASA spacecraft and pure gold and silver coins.

For a more detailed history about the life and work of artist Alex Shagin visit Wikipedia. More information about NASA Coin Collection visit: www.NASACOINS.com