Forging a Geocoin

May 24, 2007

First you pack the form w a sand / oil mixture

Then you place the GeoCoin on the form

Then you place the second form on

And fill it with the mix too

Pack it down and open it up!

May 24, 2007

now you put the empty mold back together

Clean a sprue hole

melt down some of your sister in law's cheap pewter Wicca jewelry

ready to pour...

Steady hand now,

just a few seconds to cool...

May 24, 2007

Open the cool mold (It's like Xmas!!)

scrape away the sand

looking great!

Wow! Great coin, first pour!

Now the other side

not as good, but a little dremel work will clean it up nicely

2.9k · May 24, 2007

Isn't that illegal?

May 24, 2007

Now the fine dremel work (a little OCD helps here)

better

even better

close enough!

now some yellow gold metalic paint (didn't dry the right color, but the closest thing I had

May 24, 2007

This side is good to go as is

Now the hard part, the enamel

And more enamel and VOILA! a perfect conterfeit GeoCoin

I used a fine brush to paint on the laser etching, but I couldn't get

it right no matter how hard I tried.

It's legible though, so now it's time to release it into the wild!

1.5k · May 24, 2007

That's not a bad copy! Course, for the amount of time and effort I'd probably just buy the real thing, but nice work! I keep wanting to make a coin from scratch that way, but it's about 150th on my list of projects, so I guess it'll be awhile!

May 24, 2007

Mightly d@mn industrious of ya'.

Better put me down for three of these Meth Lab geocoins.

D

1.1k · May 24, 2007

I think I'll take my chances trading the real deal, but it's is very interesting to get a little insight on the manufacturing process, albeit a little crude (I think there may be a few steps in the mold making department).

1.7k · May 24, 2007

I don't suppose you have any moun10bike coins?

22k · May 24, 2007

Nice work!

4.4k · May 24, 2007

I am a little aware of the process of wax molds.

It is a much cleaner cast.

We use to do centrifugal silver and gold castings.

Made jewelry.

A coin would be so simple in fact.

I just happen to have a catalog I get from my Lapidary supplier that has coin wax molds.

But I don't think I will go there.

24.7k · May 24, 2007

I see potential for a heck of a personal coin. No need to copy others. Roll your own. the time and effort would make it that much more treasured.

4.4k · May 24, 2007

I see potential for a heck of a personal coin. No need to copy others. Roll your own. the time and effort would make it that much more treasured.

WAX PROCESS COINS

4.2k · May 24, 2007

I don't suppose you have any moun10bike coins?

That's my concern....somebody will do this

As RK stated - make a personal coin this way and I'm sure it will be a hit.

Nice handy work, though.

6.4k · May 24, 2007

Nice work!

I see potential for a heck of a personal coin. No need to copy others. Roll your own. the time and effort would make it that much more treasured.

I thoroughly agree It Does seem like a tediously long process just to (really) copy someone else's coin, though. Whatever happened to that shrinking plastic stuff? I've seen some- they get fairly thick. I have read though that some won't move them

3.1k · May 24, 2007

Very interesting! So you plan on releasing the copy as a traveler and keep the original in your collection? I think that is better that the photocopy one that get sent out.

Of course we just send out the actual coins no copies for us.

But doesn't it make your sister in law mad? ;)

May 24, 2007

I think that this is a great process for a personal coin, but please be very careful before you copy anyone else’s coins. I have twice now bought coins from others as new & unactivated only to find out that the coins were forgeries of a coin currently owned by another cacher who had no idea that their coin had been copied and sold.

May 25, 2007

I don't suppose you have any moun10bike coins?

That's my concern....somebody will do this

As RK stated - make a personal coin this way and I'm sure it will be a hit.

Nice handy work, though.

I think it would be way too much work to make a hand-cast coin look enough like a manufactured coin to be worth the effort.

With that said, Familyof4, why are you copying someone else's coin when you could be making you own hand-cast coins?! I know you want to relase one and keep one, but geez - you could go so much further with the tools you have! I may be a tad biased, but I firmly belive hand-crafted coins to be the bestest geo-coins of them all! :anicute:

2.6k · May 25, 2007

... Roll your own....

Now that can get a person in trouble :laughing:

May 25, 2007

Casting a copy requires an hour and $50 of equipment

Creating your own requires talent

So option B, not really a choice here.

My wife told my sister in law and she is furious, but it is worth it just for the off chance

that I may be releasing a Cursed GeoCoin into the wild. Now THAT has GOT to be a first!

1.1k · May 25, 2007

Casting a copy requires an hour and $50 of equipment

Creating your own requires talent

So option B, not really a choice here.

My wife told my sister in law and she is furious, but it is worth it just for the off chance

that I may be releasing a Cursed GeoCoin into the wild. Now THAT has GOT to be a first!

Found it in some Nameless Cache, in Middle Georgia.

Beautiful coin!

This this is so pretty, I just can't let it go,

but no worries, this is how I handled that:

I hope your putting that coin back into circulation and keep your copy.

Stealing geocoins is bad! Look Here.

Edited May 25, 2007 by Nero

May 25, 2007

I about died laughing!

"melt down some of your sister in law's cheap pewter Wicca jewelry"

Yeah, I'm cool with that part :laughing:

Very interesting process. I doubt that I would ever do it, but for a one-off experiment, it might be fun to try it, sometime. Thanks for taking us through the process :anicute:

1.1k · May 25, 2007

I think it's great to learn a process for making coins, but as I was reading this I found myself getting upset that someone might make a replica of my coin and release it. My coins aren't trackable, but that's not the point.

I don't like the idea of someone forging a copy of my coin. I have a lot of time and money involved in working with an artist, mint, and dealer to develop something that I want to be uniquely mine. No, I can't stop it and every one has their own opinion and I might need thick skin, yada yada yada yada ... But nothing has been done to identify this example as a copy of someone else's creation and everything has been done to make it look as much like the original as possible. nothing on it says "copy", the paint colors matched, and the tracking number is there (shouldn't that be removed from the pic like we should in those posted with logs to avoid virtual logging?).

At least if someone release a photocopy and identifies it as such they aren't pretending the copy is something that it isn't. I only made 100 of my coins. The people I trade with know this and there shouldn't be anything out there that gives the impression there are more than that or that I made something I didn't (It still looks like a Kansas coin. You didn't put your Geonick on the coin did you?).

Again, thanks for sharing the technique - it really is pretty cool to see how this is done. You've some good skills there. But please, make your own item, don't copy someone else's work like this.

May 25, 2007

You can't keep the original coin. It's a nono.

2.9k · May 25, 2007

So wait...you're telling us that you made a counterfeit coin to release in the wild in place of a TRAVELING geocoin you intend to keep???

Edited May 25, 2007 by Arthur & Trillian

1.1k · May 25, 2007

I just looked up the coin - it isn't yours. Based on the title of the thread and your log of the coin it seems as though you intend to keep the original.

That's stealing. Sure does take some kind of brass to do that publicly.

2.2k · May 25, 2007

people like you are the reason i will never let a geocoin i purchase, out in the wild. :anicute:

1.6k · May 25, 2007

same here!! sometimes i dont' even want to post either cause im afraid!

1.6k · May 25, 2007

ok i cacn see how you can be mad but give it a break!! Keep the replica and release the real!

May 25, 2007

I would like to say that I think the idea and it could work in some ways for me I think. Let me explain why I think this.

First: I think this would be cool to do for making a homemade sig item. After getting the dh april fools coin. I thought it would be cool to make some like this for sig items. But never really knew how to do it. Now it was shown and just got to find out where to get the stuff to do it.

Second: A cool way for me to copy a coin that i want to keep. Make a copy of it and keep the copy and let the real one go. Since I (along with some other cachers I know) don't want to have my coin stolen from a cache. So I could let the real one go and have the copy to check out when I want to look at one of them I own. You would still have to worry about someone stealing the coin but at least you have one to look at. Or shoot even make 2 copies. Have a extra copy so if the real one gets stolen then I would have a copy to send out again. But let everyone know that it is a copy because the real one was stolen. I know that people hate to move copy coins and even the thought of their coin being copied. But if it would help someone that has a fear of releasing a coin into the wild then this might help. Or you could always buy extra coins. But then if you buy more than two coins that kinda takes away from someone else owning one of the coins. So maybe if some people would do this where they only had to buy one or maybe two coins maybe just maybe there would be less coins getting stolen.

This is my thought on the subject. Even though it is my thought and not the same as everyone else.

I just looked and not sure if I get this right or not after writting the above statement. Is this a coin that is owned by another cacher and he is making a copy of to release and keep the real one ?????? If so I am not down with that part. I am just saying if I bought the coin. Shoot even if I found a traveler in a cache I might not saying I would make a copy of the coin (I would at least ask the coin owner if it was ok and explained what I was going to do) and keep the copy and send out the real one.

May 25, 2007

Sure does take some kind of brass to do that publicly.

It was pewter, not brass, brass requires a much hotter flame than I care to have in my garage.

BTW that casting kit is avalible at http://shorinternational.com/CastingKits.htm for $73 bucks, everything you need.

Or here for $64 http://www.progresstool.com/cat_casting_sand.cfm.

Or search for "Sand casting kit" on eBay

What you see is a quickie one hour job with sand.

Taking my time using clay would be about a two hour job and would render a perfect replica the first time.

Edited May 25, 2007 by Familyof4

2.9k · May 25, 2007

Sure does take some kind of brass to do that publicly.

It was pewter, not brass, brass requires a much hotter flame than I care to have in my garage.

May 25, 2007

I'd like to see you confirm or deny the following statement:

I (Familyof4) found a neat looking geocoin in the wild, as it's owner intended it to be. I found said coin to be an attractive work. Instead of releasing it back into the wild (again, as the owner intended) I, using skills I possess in the practice of metal forging, made a copy of the original coin, and duplicated the artwork and coloring to the best of my ability. After completing the forgery, I released my hand-made copy of the coin, while keeping the original, bought and paid for by the owner, in my own personal posession. The owner of the coin does not know about my work, and I did not persue other options to obtain a personal, legitimate copy of this coin before making my forgery.

Please respond as to the truthfullness of this statement, and given any inaccuracies, let us know what is or is not true.

If you released the copy you made, and kept the original, I think you will find yourself to be hugely unpopular, and it may be in your best interest to never reveal your identity to another cacher for fear of recieving the public shame you deserve.

1.6k · May 25, 2007

I would like to say that I think the idea and it could work in some ways for me I think. Let me explain why I think this.

First: I think this would be cool to do for making a homemade sig item. After getting the dh april fools coin. I thought it would be cool to make some like this for sig items. But never really knew how to do it. Now it was shown and just got to find out where to get the stuff to do it.

Second: A cool way for me to copy a coin that i want to keep. Make a copy of it and keep the copy and let the real one go. Since I (along with some other cachers I know) don't want to have my coin stolen from a cache. So I could let the real one go and have the copy to check out when I want to look at one of them I own. You would still have to worry about someone stealing the coin but at least you have one to look at. Or shoot even make 2 copies. Have a extra copy so if the real one gets stolen then I would have a copy to send out again. But let everyone know that it is a copy because the real one was stolen. I know that people hate to move copy coins and even the thought of their coin being copied. But if it would help someone that has a fear of releasing a coin into the wild then this might help. Or you could always buy extra coins. But then if you buy more than two coins that kinda takes away from someone else owning one of the coins. So maybe if some people would do this where they only had to buy one or maybe two coins maybe just maybe there would be less coins getting stolen.

This is my thought on the subject. Even though it is my thought and not the same as everyone else.

I just looked and not sure if I get this right or not after writting the above statement. Is this a coin that is owned by another cacher and he is making a copy of to release and keep the real one ?????? If so I am not down with that part. I am just saying if I bought the coin. Shoot even if I found a traveler in a cache I might not saying I would make a copy of the coin (I would at least ask the coin owner if it was ok and explained what I was going to do) and keep the copy and send out the real one.

That really does sound good and i am sure familyof4 meant to release the original

Edited May 25, 2007 by Ble68

1.6k · May 25, 2007

so ok now if i do buy that kit wich i do plan on doing how do i make my own design??

May 25, 2007

That really does sound good and i am sure familyof4 meant to release the original

Look closely at the topic sub-title.

"When you just can't bear to let the ORIGINAL go"

1.6k · May 25, 2007

That really does sound good and i am sure familyof4 meant to release the original

Look closely at the topic sub-title.

"When you just can't bear to let the ORIGINAL go"

OO SORRY

2.9k · May 25, 2007

Familyof4...

Did you or did you not make that copy with the expressed purpose of releasing it and keeping (stealing) the original?

You need to release that original coin.

1.6k · May 25, 2007

Question now would it to you make a difference if perhaps familyof4 bought that geocoin and made a copy?

May 25, 2007

so ok now if i do buy that kit wich i do plan on doing how do i make my own design??

That requires the talent which I lack. There are a variety of methods

Carve a coin out of cuttle fish bone (soft bone, you can dent it with your fingernail- sold at pet stores for birds to chew on. Good for several casts)

Mold a coin out of Sculpy (begginer's modeling clay - hardens in the oven. Found at any craft store good for hundreds of casts)

Cut pieces that you like from plastic toys and glue to a wooden nickel. ( easy to do, but hard to find the designs you like, good for about a hundred casts.

Then Use the sand/clay casting kit to form a mold of your coin.

-or-

Carve a stamp on the end of a wooden dowel and press it into the clay/sand form instead of a coin. (Good forever.)

-or-

Carve your design in reverse in Sandstone and pour directly into the sandstone (pricey and hard to work with, but good for a hundred casts or more)

Pewter and Britanium can be safely melted on your kitchen stove, or a coleman stove like I do.

You can cast a suprising number of things, kids love it when you take a plastic soldier or weapon and hand them a metal copy an hour later.

2.9k · May 25, 2007

so ok now if i do buy that kit wich i do plan on doing how do i make my own design??

That requires the talent which I lack. There are a variety of methods

Carve a coin out of cuttle fish bone (soft bone, you can dent it with your fingernail- sold at pet stores for birds to chew on. Good for several casts)

Mold a coin out of Sculpy (begginer's modeling clay - hardens in the oven. Found at any craft store good for hundreds of casts)

Cut pieces that you like from plastic toys and glue to a wooden nickel. ( easy to do, but hard to find the designs you like, good for about a hundred casts.

Then Use the sand/clay casting kit to form a mold of your coin.

-or-

Carve a stamp on the end of a wooden dowel and press it into the clay/sand form instead of a coin. (Good forever.)

-or-

Carve your design in reverse in Sandstone and pour directly into the sandstone (pricey and hard to work with, but good for a hundred casts or more)

Pewter and Britanium can be safely melted on your kitchen stove, or a coleman stove like I do.

You can cast a suprising number of things, kids love it when you take a plastic soldier or weapon and hand them a metal copy an hour later.

Why are you avoiding the question?

Again...why are you keeping (stealing) someone else's coin???

May 25, 2007

Again...why are you keeping (stealing) someone else's coin???

Stealing? Call the police up and tell them that someone has stolen something you owned and replaced it with an exact duplicate. Then explain that you haven't actually SEEN the original in over a year because you left it in a tupperware container out in the woods and you can't produce the forgery because it is in an ammo box in middle Ga.

2.9k · May 25, 2007

Again...why are you keeping (stealing) someone else's coin???

Stealing? Call the police up and tell them that someone has stolen something you owned and replaced it with an exact duplicate. Then explain that you haven't actually SEEN the original in over a year because you left it in a tupperware container out in the woods and you can't produce the forgery because it is in an ammo box in middle Ga.

Thank you.

You've just admitted to stealing someone else's coin.

1.2k · May 25, 2007

I have watched this thread, It's wonderful you have these skills. "BUT" . May I ask directly why you feel you are entitled to keep the original ? If it is the "exact" same as you stated ? Did it come from the mint in China or from the pockets of the person that bought it ? Can you see that the concenses is that it's the wrong thing to do ? You have childern, do you encourage this behavior to them ? Role models start at the top.

1.3k · May 25, 2007

I have watched this thread, It's wonderful you have these skills. "BUT" . May I ask directly why you feel you are entitled to keep the original ? If it is the "exact" same as you stated ? Did it come from the mint in China or from the pockets of the person that bought it ? Can you see that the concenses is that it's the wrong thing to do ? You have childern, do you encourage this behavior to them ? Role models start at the top.

Ditto!

1.6k · May 25, 2007

what kind of paint did you use? HOw do you out on hard enamel what is dremel?

May 25, 2007

Again...why are you keeping (stealing) someone else's coin???

Stealing? Call the police up and tell them that someone has stolen something you owned and replaced it with an exact duplicate. Then explain that you haven't actually SEEN the original in over a year because you left it in a tupperware container out in the woods and you can't produce the forgery because it is in an ammo box in middle Ga.

Noooooo, call the police up and tell them that someone has ILLEGALLY COPIED their design, and showing them this thread to prove it. Copyright infringement at the least, and possible theft of intellectual property. All the proof is in YOUR pictures and YOUR posts. :tired: :anicute:

Someone ELSE designed and made that coin. You had NO RIGHT to obtain a copy of that coin through any avenue except the accepted, legitimate ones - purchase or trade from the holders of the rights to that coin.

I've reported this thread, by the way, for TPTB to look into.

1.6k · May 25, 2007

If I buy this product and make my own personal geocoin would that be ok?

Edited May 25, 2007 by Ble68

2.9k · May 25, 2007

Noooooo, call the police up and tell them that someone has ILLEGALLY COPIED their design, and showing them this thread to prove it. Copyright infringement at the least, and possible theft of intellectual property. All the proof is in YOUR pictures and YOUR posts.

Someone ELSE designed and made that coin. You had NO RIGHT to obtain a copy of that coin through any avenue except the accepted, legitimate ones - purchase or trade from the holders of the rights to that coin.

I've reported this thread, by the way, for TPTB to look into.

Good deal. I have saved this thread as a file in case our intrepid counterfeiter decides to remove the pictorial evidence...

Forging a Geocoin

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