Geocoins...What's the point?

[+Pop's Posse]

I guess I'm just a dumb old man, but I seem to be missing a big point to Geocoins. What are they exactly for? I see people buying and selling them. I see people putting them in caches. People collect them also. What are you supposed to do with them? They are really beautiful and very cool, but they also seem kind of expensive to just pop in a cache if you plan to release many of them. Why would you not use a travel bug instead.

 

Please let me know so I can have a good excuse to get some.

Thank you.

[+WWC-World's Worst Cacher]

First off, everyone has different reasons for purchasing and collecting coins. Some people like to purchase them because:

 

1. They like collecting things and being able to hold them and look at them.

2. To resell them at a profit.

3. To put them out to travel. Yes you can use a travel bug, but many people get great delight in finding a coin in a cache because there is so much varity. There are also several geocoins for sale that are not more expensive that travel bugs.

4. They collect them because they like the uniqueness of them.

5. They collect them because the coins have special meaning to them (personal coins, geographical coins).

6. Some collect because they ARE ADDICTED to coins

[QuigleyJones]

They're personalized items which people collect (similar to stamps&coins).

I would suspect that under 10% of all geocoins get released.

[+Theseus]

First off, everyone has different reasons for purchasing and collecting coins. Some people like to purchase them because:

 

1. They like collecting things and being able to hold them and look at them.

2. To resell them at a profit.

3. To put them out to travel. Yes you can use a travel bug, but many people get great delight in finding a coin in a cache because there is so much varity. There are also several geocoins for sale that are not more expensive that travel bugs.

4. They collect them because they like the uniqueness of them.

5. They collect them because the coins have special meaning to them (personal coins, geographical coins).

6. Some collect because they ARE ADDICTED to coins

 

Agreed. I would add that the good feeling I get when someone writes a "wow" log of a geocoin I've put out to travel is similar to the one I get when a cacher writes a "wow" log for a cache I've hidden. It's sharing something that makes others happy which in turn makes me happy. Happy happy happy

[+Pop's Posse]

Thank you for your replies. Yes, I think they are very nice and I may buy some myself.

Edited May 18, 2007 by Pop's Posse

[+Hula Bum]

The point is whatever you want it to be....

 

They started out as something that was dropped as swag, course they also started out much cheapier and non trackable. Then they became a fancy travel bug. Now they seem to be largely like beanie babies and those little tiny spoons, collectibles. For me, they're still something I put out in caches, not much on the collecting aspect. There are still ones to be found for the same or real close to the price of a bug, you just gotta know where to look.

[+Pop's Posse]

The point is whatever you want it to be....

 

They started out as something that was dropped as swag, course they also started out much cheapier and non trackable. Then they became a fancy travel bug. Now they seem to be largely like beanie babies and those little tiny spoons, collectibles. For me, they're still something I put out in caches, not much on the collecting aspect. There are still ones to be found for the same or real close to the price of a bug, you just gotta know where to look.

Ummm....Where?

[+Droo]

Wow for someone who's only been caching for a few weeks you've been pretty active. 49 Finds and 2 Hides in 2 weeks is impressive for a newcomer. Looks like you've been too busy with your new geocaching obsession to really get geocoin obsession.

Once you get over the excitement of the hunt, the trading of swag and the placement of new and exciting hides you will have time to look at the hundreds if not thousands of different geocoins that have been made.

[+Droo]

 

Ummm....Where?

 

You can start with the list of authorized geocoin makers on the geocaching.com geocoins page. Not all have geocoins for sale though. But it's a start... and cheaper than Ebay!!

[+Cornerstone4]

I seem to be missing a big point to Geocoins.

 

Acutally, only some of the custom shaped coins actually have a point...

 

The overwhelming majority are round with smooth edges!

 

I hope that helps.

[+Renegade Knight]

...They are really beautiful and very cool, but they also seem kind of expensive...

 

You have it.

 

A cache coin is the pinnicale of signature items. That's where it started. You can use them as travel bugs since you can track them. You can leave that off and just have them as a signature coin.

 

They caught on and got popular so they grew beyond personal signature items.

[+avroair]

And besides they make good pond skimmers, especially the 2" ones.

 

 

There is no particular point. They are shiny and much like magpies people are attracted to shiny things... I guess the main difference than a travel bug is that this is something people have created, put their own touch into them. Travel bugs tend to be something that already exists that you attach a tag to.

[+WWC-World's Worst Cacher]

The point is whatever you want it to be....

 

They started out as something that was dropped as swag, course they also started out much cheapier and non trackable. Then they became a fancy travel bug. Now they seem to be largely like beanie babies and those little tiny spoons, collectibles. For me, they're still something I put out in caches, not much on the collecting aspect. There are still ones to be found for the same or real close to the price of a bug, you just gotta know where to look.

Ummm....Where?

 

Edit to get out of trouble

Edited May 18, 2007 by southbayday

[+Renegade Knight]

And besides they make good pond skimmers, especially the 2" ones. ...

 

Now I'm going to have to try that.

 

Should I post the coords when I do?

[CinemaBoxers]

 

They are shiny and much like magpies people are attracted to shiny things...

 

 

Oooh! Shiny! Thats certainly why they appeal to me, now pardon me while I go dab some glue on my outgoing mail and sprinkle glitter on it.

 

[oakcoins]

Woops, wrong login!

Edited May 18, 2007 by oakcoins

[+stickerooni]

It does get expensive, and I'll have to pull back alot. But I don't buy them to "collect" but to drop. As someone else mentioned, it makes me feel good when I see a log about how "cool" a coin is and the "thanks for sharing." I also enjoy seeing how a coin travels. Some interesting routes out there!

 

One thing I like better about a coin over a regular TB is that I can tell what coin to expect just by looking at the listings. To see what a TB is, I have to do a little more research.

[+Dooley Noted]

If you're looking to get your own coin, I recommend hogwildstuff -- They minted my most recent coin, and it came out wonderful! Coins can be relatively cheap, depending on how big, how many, and how complex the design is...

 

hogwildstuff.org

[+UOTrackers]

The point is whatever you want it to be....

 

They started out as something that was dropped as swag, course they also started out much cheapier and non trackable. Then they became a fancy travel bug. Now they seem to be largely like beanie babies and those little tiny spoons, collectibles. For me, they're still something I put out in caches, not much on the collecting aspect. There are still ones to be found for the same or real close to the price of a bug, you just gotta know where to look.

Ummm....Where?

Check Hog Wild Stuff, they have a World Famous Traveler for VERY close to the cost of Tb's

[+Ble68]

Wow for someone who's only been caching for a few weeks you've been pretty active. 49 Finds and 2 Hides in 2 weeks is impressive for a newcomer. Looks like you've been too busy with your new geocaching obsession to really get geocoin obsession.

Once you get over the excitement of the hunt, the trading of swag and the placement of new and exciting hides you will have time to look at the hundreds if not thousands of different geocoins that have been made.

 

WOW that's more than me and I have been caching simce december!!

[+cache agent]

I collect them cause they are shiny and pretty!

 

Only reason I need.

 

CA

[+Ble68]

Well i guess the reason I collect geocoins because they represent something special or unique! If I bought every coin I would be very bored and deffinentally broke! They are like a picture and hold a special memory or signifigance! I never want to forget my geocaching friends and adventures!

[+frivlas]

The point is whatever you want it to be....

 

They started out as something that was dropped as swag, course they also started out much cheapier and non trackable. Then they became a fancy travel bug. Now they seem to be largely like beanie babies and those little tiny spoons, collectibles. For me, they're still something I put out in caches, not much on the collecting aspect. There are still ones to be found for the same or real close to the price of a bug, you just gotta know where to look.

Ummm....Where?

 

Try looking at Oakcoins. They have a very inexpensive coin called the "Cache Mover"

HERE .

 

Friv

[+fox-and-the-hound]

The point is whatever you want it to be....

 

They started out as something that was dropped as swag, course they also started out much cheapier and non trackable. Then they became a fancy travel bug. Now they seem to be largely like beanie babies and those little tiny spoons, collectibles. For me, they're still something I put out in caches, not much on the collecting aspect. There are still ones to be found for the same or real close to the price of a bug, you just gotta know where to look.

Ummm....Where?

 

The geocoinstore.com bargain usually has a couple for under $5, too. Only a couple designs in there right now, but there should be more soon enough.

[+Windrose]

I guess I'm just a dumb old man, but I seem to be missing a big point to Geocoins. What are they exactly for? I see people buying and selling them. I see people putting them in caches. People collect them also. What are you supposed to do with them? They are really beautiful and very cool, but they also seem kind of expensive to just pop in a cache if you plan to release many of them. Why would you not use a travel bug instead.

 

Please let me know so I can have a good excuse to get some.

Thank you.

 

What's the purpose of collecting baseball cards?

 

Windrose

[Odyssey Voyager]

trackable geocoins are even more enjoyable than baseball cards, or stamp collecting, simply because you can keep them or you can share them with strangers. as the website states, we all "live vicariously" through those trackable items! i have my own personal collection of usually more expensive geocoins, and i also purchase less expensive geocoins or micro geocoins to release and share. there is also my own geocoin design that i sell and give away to others. it makes my heart joyful just because, once created, a geocoin will always and forever be part of the landscape, much as the places we visit and cherish through geocaching, and that geocoin will be here long after you and i are gone, so that perhaps another generation will hold it and smile!

[+avroair]

So you remember the fish in finding nemo who was obssessed with bubbles.... OOO! BUBBLES! Well, that's what coin addicts are like... OOO! SHINY!

[+cainrcc]

So you remember the fish in finding nemo who was obssessed with bubbles.... OOO! BUBBLES! Well, that's what coin addicts are like... OOO! SHINY!

 

Thats funny but I guess its true also

[+Hula Bum]

Coins and Pins had a "geo-slug" coin that was priced like a TB, but now I don't see it on their site. Email them, perhaps they've got a waiting list?

[+Team JSAM]

If you are in the market for some geocoins keep an eye on the geocoin forums as most coins at one point or another are posted here for sale.

 

Also here is a link to all of groundspeaks Authorized coin makers and a good list of resellers:

 

(Visit Link)

 

Just look off to the right under Geocoin Manufacturers & Resellers, hope that helps.

 

Jake

 

edit: sp

Edited May 19, 2007 by Team Jsam

[+Good 'OL Eagle]

Thank you for your replies. Yes, I think they are very nice and I may buy some myself.

 

Don't do it man

you can't buy just one

It's a drug you can't stop

you buy one then you got to have two, then four,

Soon you start to draw your own and are thinking about minting 500 in each metal.

 

;stop to cach my breath, pant pant;

 

got to go just my email just said "you need coins"

can anyone lone me 12 + 2.6 S&H

 

[glennk721]

Please let me know so I can have a good excuse to get some.

Thank you

RUN, Run like heck and never look back

 

On a serious note, I have been a collector of sorts for years, coins, stamps, I'm a offical packrat I love to collect Geocoins, I love taking macro images of Geocoins, I enjoy gifting them to others on occasion. I love to set them free to read the logs of the many people that find them, and move them along.

 

This post sums up the travleing the best :

 

Odyssey Voyager Posted May 18 2007, 06:14 PM

trackable geocoins are even more enjoyable than baseball cards, or stamp collecting, simply because you can keep them or you can share them with strangers. as the website states, we all "live vicariously" through those trackable items! i have my own personal collection of usually more expensive geocoins, and i also purchase less expensive geocoins or micro geocoins to release and share. there is also my own geocoin design that i sell and give away to others. it makes my heart joyful just because, once created, a geocoin will always and forever be part of the landscape, much as the places we visit and cherish through geocaching, and that geocoin will be here long after you and i are gone, so that perhaps another generation will hold it and smile!

 

Now if you send me a email through my profile, it would be my pleasure to gift you your very first Geocoin to keep and or set free to watch it's travels, Cheers, Glenn

[CinemaBoxers]

Odyssey Voyager Posted May 18 2007, 06:14 PM

trackable geocoins are even more enjoyable than baseball cards, or stamp collecting, simply because you can keep them or you can share them with strangers. as the website states, we all "live vicariously" through those trackable items! i have my own personal collection of usually more expensive geocoins, and i also purchase less expensive geocoins or micro geocoins to release and share. there is also my own geocoin design that i sell and give away to others. it makes my heart joyful just because, once created, a geocoin will always and forever be part of the landscape, much as the places we visit and cherish through geocaching, and that geocoin will be here long after you and i are gone, so that perhaps another generation will hold it and smile!

 

Wow... Great post Glenn! (And well said Odyssey Voyager!) That about sums up how most of us feel I think. All I would add is that each coin I trade, in person, or with an online Geofriend brings back memories, and/or nice thoughts about that person.

 

I also view each coin trade as an opportunity to gain a new friend!

 

What other inanimate object does that!?

[+fairyhoney]

First off, everyone has different reasons for purchasing and collecting coins. Some people like to purchase them because:

 

1. They like collecting things and being able to hold them and look at them.

2. To resell them at a profit.

3. To put them out to travel. Yes you can use a travel bug, but many people get great delight in finding a coin in a cache because there is so much varity. There are also several geocoins for sale that are not more expensive that travel bugs.

4. They collect them because they like the uniqueness of them.

5. They collect them because the coins have special meaning to them (personal coins, geographical coins).

6. Some collect because they ARE ADDICTED to coins

ESPECIALLY # 6

[+Pop's Posse]

All the responses are great. I finally saw my 1st one today. It was listed as a drop off in one of my caches last night, so I shot over there today to retrieve it. You guys are right. They are really unique and just feel good. Unfortunatly for me, the geocoin is a trackable and I will turn it loose soon. I see how you can get hooked on them.

Mike

[+Degai]

Ya know, I started to post the subject, "Confessions of a Geocoin Addict", but I think this thread sums it up for all of us that are hopelessly addicted to collecting geocoins!

 

And as Ble68 stated, "each one can represent some special memory or significance in one's life. . .

 

Well, I have found that the older you are, the more you can relate to every aspect of every geocoin that goes on the market! For example, I love dragons, I love glitter, I love Christmas, I love Easter, I love Valentine's Day, this one reminds me of school, my son loves math, I've got to get these! Oh, my gosh, I love pirates and compass roses, this one is sooooo cool. Wow, this one spins, this one is magnetic, this one glows in the dark, this one is a puzzle, this one makes me laugh, I love the saying on back. I feel strongly about certain causes, so I would like to help, so I have to get those. Wow! this design is awesome, I love dogs, cats, birds, bees, etc. Heck, I hate spiders, snakes, mosquitoes, and poison ivy, and I had to have some of those, too! I don't even drink beer, but I had to get a couple of those, too. The list goes on and on and on. The next coin is always the most beautiful and most unique coin and its always the one you want; the one you must have. And the silly thing about all of this is when the coin is sold out and you didn't get it; you feel bad for days!

 

One time, I was on ebay and I accidently put in $32,000.00 instead of $32 for a certain geocoin, and because it automatically bid up on me, I ended up paying about $67 for that geocoin! I was sick, but thank God, it didn't go higher!

 

I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs, and now I know why. . .my future addiction of choice would become geocoins! It is totally relentless. . .I can't wait for the next buy. In fact, I don't have enough money to make a coin of my own because I am too busy buying everyone else's.

 

So as some others have mentioned before me, run before it is too late! Don't look back. . .Don't get hooked!

 

However, having said all of that, it is such a joy to see these little pieces of art and to be amazed by the creativity and ingeniousness of everyone who designs these geocoins. They never cease to amaze me! It is also a great pleasure to meet them in the forums and get to know them. I cannot tell you how many times I have been in a rotten mood and come on the forums to read some of the comments that have been posted. Sometimes, I am literally laughing out loud.

 

Good Luck on whatever you decide your fate will be in collecting geocoins.

[Odyssey Voyager]

 

Good Luck on whatever you decide your fate will be in collecting geocoins.

 

and now that last statement reminds me of the coin "tempting the fates"!!!