Information AboutGeocoin |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT GEOCOIN | |
| tokens | |
| outdoor locating games | |
| internet object tracking | |
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A Geocoin is a token used in Geocaching . A geocoin may be trackable on the internet (like Travel Bug s) or untrackable. ABOUT Geocoins can be a signature item used by geocachers, left in geocaches to be found by others, kept as Trophies or traded. Geocoins are often minted with the name of their State or Country of origin, a given geocacher's Name or Handle , or anything else. They can be either trackable on the internet or untrackable. Trackable Geocaching.com geocoins are imprinted with unique codes and tracked via the geocaching.com website. An icon, sometimes unique, is shown on the geocaching website beside a cache the geocoin is in or in the inventory of any cacher holding one. Icons will also remain in the inventory of cachers who log the 'discovery' of a geocoin's number without physically removing it from a cache. Due to the fact that many geocoins have unique icons, many people bring such geocoins to geocaching events so that others may see the coins and then collect the icons as part of their statistics. Other websites for trackable coins include the 2005 Canadian geocoin , Utah geocoin and Oregon State coin , sigitem.com - various personal coins and other items. [http://www.sigitem.com] In recent years, the geocoin craze has taken off dramatically, and there are hundreds, if not thousands of different geocoins out there today. The geocoin section of the Groundspeak Forums Groundspeak Forums Main Page is one of the most active on the site. HISTORY
TERMINOLOGY terminology is largely derived from standard numismatic terminology with some variations of usage. 2-D: (two dimensional) the coin image has flat levels of dimension. One level will be flat recessed, other levels will be raised slightly and flat across. This can be done with several levels. Each level will be the same depth or height across the surface of the coin. 3-D: (three dimensional) called "multi levels" in the die making process. Giving a sculpted look. If one level of design flows, curves, or slants to another level then it is considered 3-D. AE: Artists Edition. A version only made available to the designer of the coin. Generally a different metal finish, different colors, etc. Antique Finish: A finish applied to copper, gold, or silver to give it a darker look. This finish is used often to have the fine details in a coin stand out more clearly. Cloisonné : A powder enamel is placed in the recessed areas of the coin. Then it is heated and melted into the coin. There is a slight transparency and it is the most durable enamel. Custom Icon: relate to geocaching.com trackable coins. These are 32x32 GIF files that are unique to some trackable coins . It is a clear over-coat on the surface of a coin. Epoxy is typically used to protect soft enamel and metal finishes from corrosion. Gives a smooth, slightly domed finish. Finishes: refers to coloring and genuine metal plating used over the base metal so there maybe some confusion of the two. In general Copper refers to copper plating; Silver refers to real .925 silver plate; gold refers to real 24k gold plate. Available as shiny finish (Copper, polished gold and polished silver) and matt finish (satin gold and satin silver, antique copper). Other Golden colored finishes are: brassy gold, antique bronze, antique gold. Other Silver colored finishes are: nickel, satin nickel, chrome, antique silver. Black coloring is either painted black or a shiny black nickel (aka gun or gunmetal). Two tone - any combination of the above platings Fluorescent: An enamel that is luminescent under Ultra Violet (UV) light. Glow in the Dark: (GID) An enamel that is luminescent after being exposed to light. Hard Enamel: (aka. Imitation Hard Enamel) color fill process done by hand - an enamel liquid inserted within a recessed area of the coin and heat cured. Resultant enamel is flush with surface of coin. Hard enamel is more durable than soft enamel and can last a lifetime. Hard enamel and soft enamel cannot be added to a coin together. Their individual curing processes prevents this. HTF: Hard to Find - coins that are limited supply and high demand. Very desirable as collectors items. LE: Limited Edition. Produced in a specified limited quantity once only. Typically this is less than 20% of the initial run of coins. Typically a different version (color, metal, etc.) than the Regular Edition. Micro: A geocoin that is smaller than ~1.25 inches in diameter. Generally recognized as a coin that would fit inside a 35mm film canister micro-cache. Personal: A geocoin that is produced or designed by an individual or team of geocachers and features that cacher's name somewhere prominent on the coin. Proof Coin : 1.(aka cameo) the high points on the coin die are acid etched. The background (field) design of the coin die is polished. This gives the finished coin a contrasting frosted look on the raise parts of the design, with a mirror like finish on the background. Each coin is struck two or more times by the coin die giving a very fine detail to the image on the coin. 2.production sample coin RE: Regular edition - The most common of the coin finishes released or a coin that is "widely available", which usually means a minting quantity of 100 or more. Typically this is 70% or more of the total run of coins. Sample Coins: production samples with different finishes and metals. Generally not include tracking numbers, even if other editions of the coin are trackable. The purpose of these coins was to display the coin concept in various metals and finishes. May contain errors or other variations from the coins in final production and be extremely collectible. Generally retained by the mint or artist in their portfolio. Satin Finish: Like an unpolished finish, giving a foggy look to the metal. SE: Special Edition. Typically a different version that the main run of coins. No limit on the number minted. Soft Enamel: color fill process done by hand - an enamel liquid inserted within a recessed area of the coin and heat cured. Resultant enamel is recessed. Hard enamel is more durable than soft enamel. Hard enamel and soft enamel cannot be added to a coin together. Their individual curing processes prevents this. UV: Ultra Violet also Fluorescent: An enamel that is luminescent under UV light. VHTF: Very Hard to Find XLE: Extremely Limited Edition. Produced in a specified limited quantity once only. Typically this is less than 10% of the total run of coins. REFERENCES SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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