NBC Nightly News Graces Challenge Coins
Posted on January 28, 2009
Filed Under Cool News
So what’s a hobby without some kind of recognition? Not much but and underground system only a few get to really know about. Thats always been the problem with this collector’s haven. It’s always been under appreciate until January 14th, 2009. NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams was gracious enough to run challenge coins as a segment. It featured the Highland Mint in Florida and Adam Mulholland, CEO of U.S. Challenge Coins, LLC. Much of the footage was the minting process and most of U.S. Challenge Coins collection. It also included some military personnel showing how challenge coins are handled. A brilliant piece highlighting what many of us already know, challenge coins are some of the best collectibles out there in the world to garner.
So what does this mean for the hobby? Well besides two companies being exceptional bigger in the American’s eyes the hobby has gained a new found respect as a serious business. All it really took was Brian Williams himself to show off his collection on Prime Time. That act alone showed some of the most powerful people in the media spotlight enjoy the hobby as much as others. Many retailers on eBay found an increase in sales and attention, and some new collector’s entered the hobby as a result. Even the Society’s readership expanded by 500% during the following 4 days after the airing.
With a new found hold of exposure and noterity comes a responsibility though. Do we sit back and keep letting the media and people who want to know more about the hobby come to us? Do we stay in our own little world and wait to be discovered once again after the storm has passed? The answer should be no. However, with almost no one in the hobby actually getting out there and reaching those who want to know us more it becomes difficult to do anything but sit back and hope we get another shot. The hobby needs more spokesmen, need more active people that actually contribute back without getting a sale from it. How long till those that can will though?
We have spent the last 5 years trying to bolster ourselves. A few stepped to the plate only to dissappear from any serious role in bring attention to us. So will you will the next to dedicate your time in becoming someone that is recognized for your knowledge and devotion in challenge coin collecting? Do you have what it takes to write about the coins we all love? Or do you want to ride the gravy train and just hope someone does it for you? Though it may sound condescending this is the reality of it all. Someone has to say it. For too long we have sat in a dark underground world and now we have a chance to be a leading hobby the rest of the world is familiar with.
So with the excitement of NBC and the buzz on the internet we have a lot going on. We have a lot to be excited about. Now let’s do something with it. Let’s write, let’s talk, let’s get something going. I could name a dozen sites off the top of my head that contribute directly to the hobby. We just need to do something about it all. Come join us at the society and let’s work together.
