Impact: Challenge Coin
Many people miss the point of a challenge coin. In many cases it’s devalued before any consideration of what it might mean to someone. A coin can be given, received, traded, and bought. In fact these four things should be highlighted in depth to show what a challenge coin means to a person in a different situation. We need to take a moment out and truly represent the impact a coin can cause in a person’s performance or memory. We know these impacts may not be life changing but they still garnish an impact in some form. So let’s look at some examples of the challenge coin impact. Read more
An Official Challenge Coin Trading Day
Here in the U.S. we have many days reserved for something special like Arbor Day, Earth Day, and so on. We have nothing special for challenge coins except websites that try to build community. The Society wants to do something special in conjunction with U.S. Challenge Coins in starting an international challenge coin trading day. It makes sense since the hobby enjoys buying and selling and there are trading sites that try to build a trading network between collector’s from all around the world. Why not take it a step further? Why not get collectors talk and trading and highlighting a special day during the year to do just that? Read more
Replicas and Counterfiets Have Their Place
Replica challenge coins and even the counterfiets are not popular in today’s collecting and we absolutely do not support the making of these coins. The Society feels the remaking of a coin no matter what coin it is shows unoriginality, and theft of someone else’s work. However, by taking a look into reality as long as the hobby is so popular we know it will continue. So what do we do with the market share of unauthentic coins? Besides tracking down sellers of these coins we could learn to embrace or tolerate it to a degree. What do we mean? Read more
Challenge Coin: Authentic or Original
In challenge coin collecting, coins can be changed such as epoxy removed or colors redone as time goes by. By having these modifications done you are changing the original intent of the product. When a coin is made it should be viewed as an original piece that has the same characteristics as the rest of the batch. If you mint 100 pieces they should all look entirely the same to have the title Authentic and Original. I think these two words hold the most important aspect of a coin besides the last remaining one…mint (meaning condition).
These three factors are similar to the triangle of fire where you need a fuel source, ignition, and oxygen to have a fire. In order to have a great coin you need Authenticity, Originality, and Great Condition. Obviously there will be more factors then this, but without even one of those factors being present you won’t have a coin worth anything. So this should be a fine basis to start out with to understand the worth or character of a coin. So let’s break these thoughts down even further.
The Challenge Coin Minting Equation
A lot of factors play a vital role in getting a batch of custom coins minted for your unit, work center, or agency. We want to break down barriers when we choose mints. People don’t know the underlying factors and what are really behind them. People get wrapped up in thinking it’s one way when it’s really something different.
Lowest Price – Usually when people are shopping for a coin and especially in an economy like we are currently in people are looking for the best price possible. When you save a buck you could be holding quality back. In challenge coins the price never dictates quality. This is an old wise tale for the most part. It is extremely difficult to base an end result entirely on a price index. Just because you get a great deal or you pay through the nose does not mean you are going to get different results. The results come from the factory used in making coins.
Company Portfolio – A company’s reputation is hugely dependent on previous coins made. When you need examples of coins made you should look at any and all examples of coins that company has produced. The more coins that factory has made is a direct correlation in how good that company is. If they have a small portfolio then one of two things happened. The first is they are new and the second being maybe they weren’t good enough to get many orders.
Taking Challenge Coin Pictures
Taking pictures of challenge coins, pins, or any other collectibles that are reflective or you have difficulty getting the detail out of your photographs is frustrating. Putting coins and pins into the scanner was many people’s idea of success for years. Some people just put a coin down on their table and shot away. Well I hope to help some photographers of coins out a little by talking about taking successful pictures. After three years of scanning, taking photos in my office, and even buying a professional lighting kit I had failed to make any dent on my skills of showing of my coin inventory.
Graduating from New Challenge Coin Collector
Receiving your first coin is something special because it’s your entry in the blooming and vast hobby that many others are currently enjoying. You either decide to either pursue your new found collection in buying, trading, or earning more and more coins or you forget about it all and move on. If you are the one that wants more, you are in for a great ride. Every new coin will bring you new things in owning coins that represent places, jobs, people, and a whole lot more. However, one thing you will learn over time is that certain coins hold certain values. Read more
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