MichaelShafferFamily

Trying to make new friends here? WHy not clear this up? Is this a personal coin with a Montana flavor or a Montana coin? If the former, more power to you - if the latter then yes, people are going to get upset. It could go either way, but I'm leaning toward the latter being the likely candidate. As I stated on the MT Geocachers forum, having more than one coin out at a time is going to create market saturation and adversely impact sales for both. It would also diminish their later value, because of the likely dispute between them for which is an 'official' coin. The bottom line here is that most of this hostility would have been nullified if you stated up front that you were a Montanan, but had to relocate due to work. Instead, your information on the forum pages shows you as hailing from Porterville, CA and incorrect assumptions are made because we only had that information to work with. But in looking at your actual profile, I see a Montana flag waving above your personal stats code. But this doesn't tell me you're necessarily from there, so an incorrect assumption could be made from that as well. It also hurts your reception when you talk about a design you won't show us, because it makes those of us here in MT a little jaded in thinking that you will not accept input from us in the design process. What I started working on will be posted locally at first, and as thedesign progressed into the more serious stages of development, it would post here as well for review. The goal of a coin for a large group of people is being open about development. As far as total production, I would recommend 1000 as a base point to work from. Depending on reception from the geocaching community overall, adjust accordingly. But since there has been interest in the coin for a few years, one coming to fruition should do well. I guess what I am making is a personal coin with Montana flavor. I have never posted anything on a forum, until this process began. I didn't know that their was such passion about geocoins and the sense of ownership, that I am getting from the hostile reaction to my proposal. I never intended to run 1000 to get the MT tracking designation. It was always going to be a PC, I just thought it would be nice to let some fellow Montana in on the first opportunity to own such a special coin. I am under the impression that my actions are being misunderstood and my motives are being challenged. I saw state geocoins of all shapes and varieties and just wanted to get Montana on the map and not have to wait until November of 1889 to do it. My family members have been scattered throughout Montana and the rest of the world. My brother in law stationed at Ft. Bragg in N.C. and my brother in Germany would love to cache in Montana, just like the rest of the family, but other duties call. Don't let my foibles defeat a project conceived in joy and love. Cache on, dudes. Oh, let the Cali. slip out. Now I am a pariah.

OK, I am intrigued, why exactly would you be making a Montana geocoin? FWIW I did try to talk the geocachers in the Great Falls area into making a Montana geocoin this summer. Our family attended an excellent event cache along the Rivers Edge Trail and I spoke for a few mintues on all the benefits that Montana geocachers would realize by making a MT geocoin. I suggested they get in touch with Jennifer and Dean in Missoula and the BGCA in Billings and form a working group that could be representative of all of Montana's very active gecoaching community, unfortunately I couldn't talk them into it! I really enjoy caching in Montana and my favourite cache is actually a cache in the Sweetgrass Hills. Are you planning to make more than a thousand? I saw this addressed in the coin trading thread also. I sent that poster a pm and am waiting on a reply. There are a couple of people here in Helena working on a preliminary design that will then be passed onto other Montana cachers to get thoughts/opinions so any adjustments can be made, although this is a slow moving process at this time. It would be very disappointing to have the first Montana coin designed by a person living in California, IMHO, FWIW. My motivation for making this coin was to honor my HOME STATE. I have a large enough family to dwarf most Montana geocaching local community. We are scattered around the world. This is for family, mine and my Montana family, but apparently I became an illegitimate step child when I moved away. I don't get it. Where's the love? We will not be running anywhere near a thousand? The locals can pony up the cash to make a run of a 1000, with their design when and if they get it off the ground. If all I accomplished was light a fire under some frozen butts in Montana, then it has been a good day. Family in MT that caches? Great! Who? Mt is a nice and small caching community and we throw pretty good parties. If you are making a MT coin I'm going to recommend posting it's existance to the Montana boards around the state. Like MOOG's Google group or BGCA's Yahoo group or the CMGA mailing list. They are probably full of folks who will be interested, like we are, in taking part in the making of a MT geocoin. Frozen butts... this is probably the best time of the year to bring this up- most of us are stuck at home, in the cold and ice, unable to cache and looking for something to do. But as you seem to have decided to make the coin without asking for any input, expect folks to be stubborn and annoyed. On the other hand you could ask them to look at your designs and give opinions. And be nice instead of approaching us as though we are too lazy and you HAD to take it upon yourself to create this because we couldn't. Lazy is not something I would describe the Montana geocachers as. Come up and cache sometime, don't forget to leave a few coins in the ones you find. -J PS- Coins are an unnecessary part of caching. They are more for the folks who need something to search for or collect to get them out of the house. Don't think I take any of this very seriously. Now, if the coin had a Griz on one side and a Bobcat on the other, you might have some trouble. Honor your family, make a family coin and honor the MT state cachers by offering ideas and support for a MT state coin. I was trying to lighten up the conversation. I remember the winters in Montana, the idiots here in California still wonder why I have a plug sticking out of the front of my vehicle. I am ignorant about MOOG, BGCA, or CMGA, but I spent time on Montana Geocachers Forum biting my tongue saying nothing, but I finally got the nerve to take a chance and start the ball rolling on my own design. Why does everything have to be a consensus of the masses? You will never get everyone to agree with the design. If Montanans don't want coins at cost then so be it. I would love to offer ideas for a Montana state coin, but after the biased backlash where would my ideas take root. I will be in Montana this summer and maybe you will be lucky to discover the Shaffer Family Geocaching Community Geocoin with a Montana design, any Montanan would be proud to own, discover, or whatever.

OK, I am intrigued, why exactly would you be making a Montana geocoin? FWIW I did try to talk the geocachers in the Great Falls area into making a Montana geocoin this summer. Our family attended an excellent event cache along the Rivers Edge Trail and I spoke for a few mintues on all the benefits that Montana geocachers would realize by making a MT geocoin. I suggested they get in touch with Jennifer and Dean in Missoula and the BGCA in Billings and form a working group that could be representative of all of Montana's very active gecoaching community, unfortunately I couldn't talk them into it! I really enjoy caching in Montana and my favourite cache is actually a cache in the Sweetgrass Hills. Are you planning to make more than a thousand? I saw this addressed in the coin trading thread also. I sent that poster a pm and am waiting on a reply. There are a couple of people here in Helena working on a preliminary design that will then be passed onto other Montana cachers to get thoughts/opinions so any adjustments can be made, although this is a slow moving process at this time. It would be very disappointing to have the first Montana coin designed by a person living in California, IMHO, FWIW. My motivation for making this coin was to honor my HOME STATE. I have a large enough family to dwarf most Montana geocaching local community. We are scattered around the world. This is for family, mine and my Montana family, but apparently I became an illegitimate step child when I moved away. I don't get it. Where's the love? We will not be running anywhere near a thousand? The locals can pony up the cash to make a run of a 1000, with their design when and if they get it off the ground. If all I accomplished was light a fire under some frozen butts in Montana, then it has been a good day.

Thanks for your balanced approach to this discussion. A little to much heat for a labor of love that won't hurt anyone, but may help those that have always wanted to know WHY there is no Montana coins out there.

Just so you are aware the coin has not gone to mint. I posted on Montana Geocachers Forum for some input, but not a character assassination. I read the posts containing ideas of Montana geocachers, who hesitated to take the iniative. I contacted as many geocachers as I know, mostly family. Couldn't get a hold of Uncle TED in his cabin, since he is so anti-technology.

I am not a caching team from California. I am a MONTANAN, displaced by economics. I am making this coin to honor my HOME STATE. I have enough geocaching family members in MONTANA who have contributed to the design. I waited for someone to step up, this is a labor of love for cachers that apprectiate the can do attitude that most Montanans admire. If you have Montanan coin makers, designs then I will support your efforts. Many states have multiple coins, new ones every year. Why does Montana have to have only ONE version? There are hundreds of potential ideas out their, that could be incorporated in a design. I am sure any Montanan, who receives this version will be impressed with the quality of the coin and the affordabilty as well. This is a non for profit proposition, if you want to make profits off your version, more power to you. I hope I haven't created any hard feelings, but calling a MONTANAN a Californian, them's fightin' words.

I am in the process of creating a Montana trackable coin. If you are interested please contact us, so we can make a big enough run to accomadate everyone.

Hawaii - there's one non-trackable Massachusetts - no Montana - no New Hampshire - no South Dakota - no West Virginia - no The state's where I answered no might have groups within the states working on state coins but not as far as I know. Idaho - no trackable Indiana - only the micro Maine - no trackable North Dakota - no trackable South Carolina - no trackable Once again, the states where I answered no might have groups within the states working on state coins but not as far as I know. Hope that helps. I am in the process of creating a Montana trackable coin. If you are interested please contact us, so we can make a big enough run to accomadate everyone.

I am in the process of creating a Montana trackable coin. If you are interested please contact us, so we can make a big enough run to accomadate everyone.

I am in the process of creating a Montana trackable coin. If you are interested please contact us, so we can make a big enough run to accomadate everyone.

Look for a Explorist 210, it has data port... Dale