are coins are missing :(

[+turnedtwo]

Our coins are missing

 

Hi Everyone,

My husband and I have only been caching for about 6 months and thought it would be nice to buy some trackable coins. We decided on the "Fallen Heros" coins. Each one tells a story of one of our military men and women who have died while serving our country. Then when cachers find them they can read about them.

We placed both coins in different caches back in Dec 2009 and haven't heard about them since

Is there any way to find them? I'm not sure if they were mistaken for swag or just taken. We're bummed and don't feel we'll want to place any in the future because of this experience...

Still hope they turn up in some distant land and many have read the stories of our Fallen Heros!

Edited April 12, 2010 by turnedtwo

[+GATOULIS]

It seems that both caches have been muggled! It is sad, but the sadest thing is that someone stole these coins that are for the fallen heroes!

I really do not know what to say!

these coins were made to honor the soldiers who gave their life so others will be free, be happy with their families and live peasefully! Now someone is coming and stelling these coins??? Huh!

 

Well... The only think you can do is hoping they will show up!

 

It will be good to mention in each coin page that they were muggled, stollen, that the whole cache was muggled and dissapeared... and if someone finds it to drop it in a cache to continue its travells!

 

Sometimes... it works!

 

One of my coins were stollen, I wrote in its page that it was stollen etc, and after some months the coin was found in an other cache without a log etc! The guy who took it probably left it there!

I changed its mission again and removed the "stollen", but unfortunatelly after some time... it was stollen again... Still not news from it.. but....

[+Eartha]

Sadly, the coin honoring Sgt. 1st Class Richard J. Herrema was placed in a cache that disappeared shortly after you placed the coin in it.

The owner posted this note:

One of our domicile challenged must have got himself a nice new ammo box !!!

I'll replace it ASAP.

 

The one honoring Sgt. Joshua V. Youmans was reported missing by the next person to log online, 5 days later.

And right on the cache page, but I don't know when it was added, it says:

Note: There have been some problems with a "collector" of geocoins in the area, they are very good about retrieving them but don't seem to drop them back off any where : (

 

So apparently those two caches were not the safest place for a trackable (or any swag) to be. What you can do now, is use the tracking number and go the Proxy route. You can make a copy of the coin, both sides from photos, and I think you can get those from somewhere online. Then you can send it out again. But you won't be able to change the name of the geocoin, because they are under an account that belongs to somone else, and the only other copy was given to the men's family. But make a note on the TB page that you are sending out a copy. You should laminate it or make it sturdy enough to travel. Some people are very creative with their "proxies". Some use a wooden disc and laminate the photos to it, some use coin holder keychains, handmade items, etc. People who find a flimsy paper copy are disappointed that it wasn't the real thing and won't move it, or worse, take it upon themselves to throw it out (they should not). Others will move it happily. I'm afraid that is the only option, your geocoins are gone. But, stranger things have been known to happen, and they might come back someday. If they do, call in the copies, you can only have one item per tracking number out there.

 

In the future, when you place a TB or geocoin in a cache, look around you. Would you feel safe being left in the cache if you were a trackable item? If not, log it in and out for the miles, and take it with you to a safer cache. There have been more trackables that have gone missing due to unsafe cache placement, and muggles/theft. I feel your pain.

[+GATOULIS]

Eartha... it is good to make a proxy so the coins will continue.. but since the coins show the maker as the owner.... souldn't turnedtwo contact with him first? And.. I hope turnedtwo have the tracking numbers of the coins.. right? You will have to write the tracking number on the proxy or in a piece of paper that will be with the proxy! If you are not the owner you can not see the tracking number in the page... so in case you do not have it.. you can condact with the maker of the coins so he can give them to you!

 

Yes! Alwasy check around you before you find or hide a cache!! chack all the sides around you!!!

 

In a cache in Rhodes, in greece, that was in a well visited archeological area (free entrance), geocachers were probably checking only left and right but none realised that anyone cound see them from... above! there was a higher level with ancients and when you were there... you could see the cache area easily!!! So the cache one day was muggled and had many coins and TB's inside! Not this cache is in a different much safer place... far away from the place it used to be... but at the same archeological site! So... check everywhere!!!

[+Eartha]

Eartha... it is good to make a proxy so the coins will continue.. but since the coins show the maker as the owner.... souldn't turnedtwo contact with him first? And.. I hope turnedtwo have the tracking numbers of the coins.. right? You will have to write the tracking number on the proxy or in a piece of paper that will be with the proxy! If you are not the owner you can not see the tracking number in the page... so in case you do not have it.. you can condact with the maker of the coins so he can give them to you!

 

 

These coins are activated under another account, but turnedtwo bought and paid for them. That is a question to ask the vendor USAgeocoins, that sold them. I would think there would be no problem trying to keep the memory of the fallen hero alive. But you might want to ask permission to borrow the photos on the website for the proxy.

[+CokeCachers]

IMHO most GeoCoins that go missing are taken by GeoCoin Collectors. It's way cheaper for them to steal them from Caches than to buy them.

Mike

[+Butterfly_lady]

TB resuce - for geocoins too....

[+Silfron Mandotheneset]

IMHO most GeoCoins that go missing are taken by GeoCoin Collectors. It's way cheaper for them to steal them from Caches than to buy them.

Mike

 

IMHO that's complete crap. Collectors collect unactivated coins, not activated ones. it would do them no good to steal activated coins from caches.

 

I'm sure there is a little of this that happens, sure, but to say that MOST coins taken are taken by collectors is ridiculous. Collectors buy their coins. THIEVES steal them.

[+ModelCitizen]

I have a lot of coins traveling and what I see most is people picking a coin up, logging it saying they'll place it in another cache soon, then nothing happens. Often the people are brand new geocachers and just loose interest and don't go geocaching anymore. I've had some coins picked up from the very first cache a new geocacher found, then they quit caching and two years later still have my coin in their inventory. Emailing the holder rarely does any good. Right now I have at least 14 geocoins or travel bugs that were retrieved from a cache over four months ago and are still stuck with the person who picked them up. Some have been held for well over two years and will probably never reappear. Since I generally replace missing TBs and GCs after they haven't moved for more than a year, it's hard to tell just how many of my TBs and GCs have dissappeared this way over the years. Lots.

 

I don't think people steal geocoins that often. I think they just forget to move them, loose them in their car, house, or geocaching bag, or quit geocaching.

 

I also did an experiment where I bought two coins every time I purchased a coin. I would release both of them at the same time in the same area. One of the coins would be in pristine condition and the other one would have a big ugly hole drilled in it. I figured if people were stealing coins the drilled coins would have a much better travel history and stay active much longer than the undrilled coins that would be more attractive to theives. What I discovered was that both the drilled and undrilled coins have very similar travel histories and very similar life spans (short). So I really don't believe there are that many people out there stealing geocoins.

 

Blue skies!

Model Citizen - Zero Discipline

[+tech22]

Here's where they go...

<image removed by moderator>

 

<link removed by moderator>

Edited April 18, 2010 by Eartha

[+opalsns]

So This is an outright acusation???

If you have proof, NOTIFY Groundspeak.

Not sure the acusation is acurate, I wrote to seller and asked if they were hers, under her name , or under many names.

 

I also have 5 Activated, Ready to adopt geocoins for sale on ebay.

They are mine.

[+tech22]

So This is an outright acusation???

If you have proof, NOTIFY Groundspeak.

Not sure the acusation is acurate, I wrote to seller and asked if they were hers, under her name , or under many names.

...

Not an accusation as much as a suspicion due to the lack of transparency on the seller's part regarding the adoption process. I do see in the ad description, "They have been taken to events and "discovered,", but have not been otherwise circulated or handled."

 

Obviously I have overlooked the collectors niche as possibility however, I would think the proper avenue for notification would be to eBay rather than Groundspeak. This raises other questions such as are coins placed in geocaches 'contributed' to the sport where it is now up to Groundspeak to defend ownership of stolen goods? While the original purchasers of the coins can prove ownership, it seems a stretch to expect to maintain control of the coin while you pass it around the world. In this case, collectors who harm the sport by permanently removing them from caches so they can keep them are actually worse then those that attempt to sell them since the sellers haven't actually removed ownership from the original purchaser, they have just made it more difficult for the coin to get to the next geocache...

Edited April 18, 2010 by technamental

[+Eartha]

Here's where they go...

<image removed by moderator>

 

<link removed by moderator>

 

I removed those links so that you don't besmirch a regular member of this community, and you have mail, Techamantal, please check your inbox.

[+tech22]

 

I removed those links so that you don't besmirch a regular member of this community...

Thank you for the correction. My intent was not to attack an individual but rather attempt to provide an explanation for the many missing coins. My apologies for the chosen example..

Edited April 18, 2010 by technamental

[+opalsns]

So This is an outright acusation???

If you have proof, NOTIFY Groundspeak.

Not sure the acusation is acurate, I wrote to seller and asked if they were hers, under her name , or under many names.

...

Not an accusation as much as a suspicion due to the lack of transparency on the seller's part regarding the adoption process. I do see in the ad description, "They have been taken to events and "discovered,", but have not been otherwise circulated or handled."

 

Obviously I have overlooked the collectors niche as possibility however, I would think the proper avenue for notification would be to eBay rather than Groundspeak. This raises other questions such as are coins placed in geocaches 'contributed' to the sport where it is now up to Groundspeak to defend ownership of stolen goods? While the original purchasers of the coins can prove ownership, it seems a stretch to expect to maintain control of the coin while you pass it around the world. In this case, collectors who harm the sport by permanently removing them from caches so they can keep them are actually worse then those that attempt to sell them since the sellers haven't actually removed ownership from the original purchaser, they have just made it more difficult for the coin to get to the next geocache...

 

Just spoke with "Said" seller and the coins are hers.

 

People have to have an account to locate caches, If there is evidence of thievery, Groundspeak should get involved and cancel that membership.

It would be alot harder to prove the story to ebay and they wouldn't care unless PROVED. They want the money.

Groundpeak is responsible for the game they created and the rules.

Yes, There ARE rules. When someone is CAUGHT violating rules or players, Something should be done.

It sounded to me like you had Absolute Proof. That's why I suggested Groundspeak

 

Eartha Helped stop a potential heated discussion.

She volunteers for Groundspeak.

See how that worked.

Thanx Eartha.

 

Peace Out

Opalsns

[+honeychile]

:::raising my little hand:::

 

Well, goodness, what a tempest in a teapot! I'm the one who is selling some of my geocoin collection on eBay. I just re-read my auction descriptions and I don't see any lack of transparency there. These are coins in my personal collection which have traveled nowhere but to events to be enjoyed and discovered by others. The name I use on eBay is the same one I use on geocaching and anyone can take a look at my profile, see my registered coins and noted that all of these coins have been mine for years, literally.

 

You would also see that I'm a forum moderator and a volunteer reviewer for Groundspeak. That doesn't mean I'm above reproach , but it would be a bit brazen for a coin thief. As a practical matter, selling stolen coins on eBay would not be of much value to seller or buyer because only an owner can transfer a coin or other trackable to another user. Having the coin in your possession and/or knowing the coin's unique code will only help you to log it. And, of course, logging a stolen coin would probably get your name on one of those "stupid criminal" websites.

 

BTW, hauling this thread back on topic, sadly, many coins and other trackables which really travel out in the wild go missing. Some may indeed be residing in a thief's sock drawer. But I think sometimes people don't realize what they are, may think they are swag, or they may be taken by non-geocachers who happen on a cache. Over the years, I think about 50% of mine go missing over time. I try to make sure I include a sheet with my traveling bugs/coins indicating they are not regular swag and are to be moved along. One fellow I met at an event drills a big ugly hole through his traveling coins and attaches a keyring with a tag indicating the coin is supposed to move. His theory is that the hole in the coin destroys the "sock drawer value" of the coin to a would-be thief and allows the coin to travel more freely. I don't know how that has worked out for him, but I'll have to ask!

 

That's one reason that portable coin collections have become so popular. It may be the only way that geocachers can see and enjoy the many, many unique coins out there.

 

On many occasions, though, trackables reappear and the stories around that are often fascinating and worth sharing.

 

Ain't geocaching fun?

 

 

EDIT: to fix typo

Edited April 18, 2010 by honeychile

[Piratesfourlife]

I need help. I went caching a few years back and picked up a coin for "Fallen Heros". I had every intention on moving the coin on but life happened and I never went geocaching again...until now. I have always felt guilty of not moving the coin. I am about to embark on a trip to Florida where I want to put the coin in a cache. The coin is in honor of Specialist Nathiel A. Caldwell from Omaha, NE. If anyone knows how I can get the coin moving again I would appreciate the help. The coin was found in Gainesville, Virginia and it is time to be moving on. As far as I know it does not have any serial #'s other then ******. Not sure if that is a code for the coin or not. It has the American flag on one side and all the branches of service on the other (with the number on a jet). RIP Nathiel and thank you for your service and sacrifice to this country.

Edited February 15, 2012 by Eartha
Remove tracking number

[+G & C]

I need help. I went caching a few years back and picked up a coin for "Fallen Heros". I had every intention on moving the coin on but life happened and I never went geocaching again...until now. I have always felt guilty of not moving the coin. I am about to embark on a trip to Florida where I want to put the coin in a cache. The coin is in honor of Specialist Nathiel A. Caldwell from Omaha, NE. If anyone knows how I can get the coin moving again I would appreciate the help. The coin was found in Gainesville, Virginia and it is time to be moving on. As far as I know it does not have any serial #'s other then *&^%$#. Not sure if that is a code for the coin or not. It has the American flag on one side and all the branches of service on the other (with the number on a jet). RIP Nathiel and thank you for your service and sacrifice to this country.

 

You can get that coin back on the move by simply placing it in another cache. Someone will pick it up there, and the cycle continues.

[+power69]

no longer do i buy coins for other peoples collections.

every coin i put out has been stolen.

[+kini_ont]

I need help. I went caching a few years back and picked up a coin for "Fallen Heros". I had every intention on moving the coin on but life happened and I never went geocaching again...until now. I have always felt guilty of not moving the coin. I am about to embark on a trip to Florida where I want to put the coin in a cache. The coin is in honor of Specialist Nathiel A. Caldwell from Omaha, NE. If anyone knows how I can get the coin moving again I would appreciate the help. The coin was found in Gainesville, Virginia and it is time to be moving on. As far as I know it does not have any serial #'s other then ******. Not sure if that is a code for the coin or not. It has the American flag on one side and all the branches of service on the other (with the number on a jet). RIP Nathiel and thank you for your service and sacrifice to this country.

There is a strong and dedicated group(s) of cachers in Florida state, if you look under organizations and local groups you will find that some one from there will help. They meet regularly and who knows maybe you'll take up caching again with people with the same interest

Edited February 15, 2012 by Eartha
Remove tracking number.

[+fox-and-the-hound]

I need help. I went caching a few years back and picked up a coin for "Fallen Heros". I had every intention on moving the coin on but life happened and I never went geocaching again...until now. I have always felt guilty of not moving the coin. I am about to embark on a trip to Florida where I want to put the coin in a cache. The coin is in honor of Specialist Nathiel A. Caldwell from Omaha, NE. If anyone knows how I can get the coin moving again I would appreciate the help. The coin was found in Gainesville, Virginia and it is time to be moving on. As far as I know it does not have any serial #'s other then ******. Not sure if that is a code for the coin or not. It has the American flag on one side and all the branches of service on the other (with the number on a jet). RIP Nathiel and thank you for your service and sacrifice to this country.

 

If you do not have the means to find a cache then an easy alternative is to just locate any local cache from your profile and click the link to the cache owner. You can make contact by email and drop it locally directly into the hands of another active cacher.