Australian GEOcoin

[ADAcache]

<p>Hi all<p>

<p>I have been following the international site more than this one recently, because I was having trouble getting into it from where I am in the world.</p>

<p>On the international site there was a bit of discussion about an Australian GEOcoin, since there doesn't seem to be anyone out there working on one I thougth I may as well give it a crack.</P>

<p>I have attached 3 possible versions and would like to guage interest in getting a trackable coin from Australian cachers first. I know that if I was to put these up for sale on the international forum I could sell a few hundred without trying to hard, but I would always want to give the Aussies first crack at them.</P>

<p><b>Option 1</b></P>
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<p><b>Option 2</b></p>
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<p><b>Option 3</b></P>
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<p>This is not anywhere near production yet and I am not taking orders, I am just guaging whether there would be enough interest to make it viable and to get feedback on the possible design of the coin.</p>
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Thanks
<br><br>
ADAcache

[Ghost Who Walks]

Excellent idea.
I would be interested in buying a few.
Depending on final price, they would make excellent presents for people, either in Australai, or overseas....

Ghost Who Walks

[Team Piggy]

And these "ARE" trackable at Geo.com?

Has this been checked and passed by Groundspeak yet? I would expect they would be looking for thier cut if they are going to allow tracking...

[elmofreak]

I'd go for some, but would rather see the design with a native animal or some such thing on it rather than the bridge.. I see the bridge as an icon of sydney, not so much of australia.. but that may just be my personal opinion - I'd still get some, bridge or not

[Snuva]

I'd get some - how many would depends upon the price - especially as I'll be travelling in the US next year and my friends in the Bay Area would go crazy over them. They have coin collectors clubs and such there - rather scary!<P>I'd prefer a native animal or something rather than the bridge as well - how about a Tassie Devil? Or a roo, which is immediately recognizably Australian. If it were an architectural icon, overseas the Sydney Harbour Bridge isn't as well known as the Opera House; it wouldn't be immediately recognizable. And to be a real pain - what about the Geocaching Australia logo on it?

[belken]

We would be interested in an Australian coin. 20 or 30 in fact

We have done some research on a personal coin and can give some answers to questions we have found. We think its great that someone is willing to take on a national coin and put up with all the differing design opinions etc. Good luck for someone to organise. As soon as its announced pre-orders will come flying in. I think the first coins should go to Australians in Australia. Do not open it up world wide. The first Australian coin that has a GC Icon and Trackable number will become a trade premium allowing those that support the first issue a negotiating level with those overseas collectors. Therefore the number of Australians should cover the first issue of coins. Any subsequent issue can be opened up to the world collectors. That is of course if there is enough interest to make a viable number. The coin people I spoke to do a minimum of 250 coins. The cost however was around $9.00AUS.

The coins can be made track able through GC.com at $1.50US per coin. Blocks of 150 numbers only.

To create and icon for the coin it will cost a total of $150.00US. Depends on how many coins there are as to the cost per coin. This makes the coin more desirable.

[belken]

Just to clarify some stuff.

To get a coin(medallion) done they were going to charge $500.00 for the die.$250.00 per side. To make a mould for the 38mm coin we were looking at they also wanted $200.00. Then the coin could have 1 side colour or two. The numbers are engraved etc.

So on 300 coins you had the initial setup costs of $750.00
A two sided coloured coin was about $6.5 each with numbers.
That made it $9 per coin
To add a GC Number for tracking was $1.50US per coin
The icon cost is split across all coins ie $150us/300 = 65 cents per coin.

This was a quick talk with a local manufacturer. There is a lot of different combinations.

[Snuva]

If it was a local manufacturer, would it be worth while checking if a manufacturer in the US who does this regularly would be cheaper (after factoring postage)? I can ask the person who organises geocoin orders in the Bay Area for some advice.<P>And if we as a group (or individual cachers on their own) might want to order other coins in the future, it might be a good idea to come up with one side that can be re-used. So we'd have one side that is Australian and generic - then the other side could be different for each run. So the First run would be most expensive - and subsequent runs would be cheaper as you'd only need to pay for one side to be set up. If it's going to be a trackable coin, that number would be on the side that is changed each run. Trackability costs more, but makes it a more sought after item!

[Chwiliwr]

I'd prefer a native animal or something rather than the bridge as well - how about a Tassie Devil? Or a roo, which is immediately recognizably Australian. If it were an architectural icon, overseas the Sydney Harbour Bridge isn't as well known as the Opera House; it wouldn't be immediately recognizable. And to be a real pain - what about the Geocaching Australia logo on it?

I would agree about using an Australian icon and not something that is really only representing a particular state but if it ended up that way I also agree that the Opera House is more appropriate than the coathanger.

On a more practical level each of the samples is using about 8 colours each and that adds to the cost as far as I can tell so should also be considered.

[ADAcache]

OK<br>
<br>
I will try to answer all of the questions, but if I miss anything let me know<br>
<p>1.

And these "ARE" trackable at Geo.com?

</p>

<p>Yes they will be trackable. I have worked out an Icon for them which I forgot to put in the first post

</P>

<p>

I'd go for some, but would rather see the design with a native animal or some such thing on it rather than the bridge..

<p>I have a few images to be used on the coins (I was thinking an annual change to the front of the coin) so changing to a kangaroon wouldn't be a problem</P>

what about the Geocaching Australia logo on it?

<p>if you will notice the back of this coin is my representation of the Australian logo Vs the international. I put the international in as an option</P>

OK this isn't an actual quote but they had some great points

<p>I have had some coins made recently for something other that geocaching and so I know what the approximate costs will be. The company I would be using is in the US, so the only major change will probably be the shipping costs to Australia.</P>

<p>That said, I would expect the final cost to be around the $8 - $9 range for the first batch of coins (this is to pay for the die costs) but if we reuse the rear side of the coin that cost would come down for any further coins that are made.</P>

</p>If anyone has strong objections to the design of the rear, send me your ideas and we can discuss options because once the die is set it will only end up driving the price back up to change it.</p>

<p>Nuff said.</p>

<p><b>ADAcache</b></p>

[Team Jeckyl]

Option 2 back of the coin is perhaps more Aussie. Maybe a kangaroo or even Ayers Rock on the front of the coin. Probably won't buy any if it has a Sydney icon on the front, it should be more generalised for the whole of Aust. Otherwise we'd be interested.

[Team Red Devil]

We'd be in it if they had Devils on 'em

But really- I think a native animal or something is a better idea- Opera House and Bridge are too Sydney.

Marie n Scott.

[Suitman]

... If it's going to be a trackable coin, that number would be on the side that is changed each run. Trackability costs more, but makes it a more sought after item!

</br>

I have a few images to be used on the coins (I was thinking an annual change to the front of the coin)

</br>
Would this mean that the tracking number would have to be on the front </br>
Either way, I'd be interested in a few.

[Cached]

is there a GC.com requirement to have the TB logo on it? The only reason I ask is that I think the number would probably be better slightly larger and where the tb barcode is.

Good going Daggy!

[Cached]

and could the colours on the reverse be the stronger 'earthy' colours that we are used to rather than the GC.com ones?