TEST challenge coins?
- Thread starter GrammarGestapo
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EpilepticCricket
Space Marshal
I'm 110% on board with this and am willing to provide additional assistance if requested (and able). I used to work for a company that sold custom badges (like police/emt badges) so I've worked with many metal stamping companies, including these guys, several years ago (but not in any way that will benefit this project sadly).
I would prefer the single side colored coin. Black and Yellow is such an integral aspect of TEST that it would feel odd to stray from that. Also, the cost is almost completely negligible as I will point out below for everyone that hasn't take the time to do it already. As far as faces or logos or whatever, my opinion on that will depend on what the coin is for (which is one of my questions below).
I did a breakdown of the cost per unit based on the pricing page linked just to see what the difference ends up being. First is the cost for the 2" coin as those will most likely be preferable to most people, followed by the 1.75" coin.
No color price:
50 coins @ 2" + $150 set up = $437.50 total = $8.75 per
100 coins @ 2" + $150 set up = $509.00 total = $5.09 per
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50 coins @ 1.75" + $125 set up = $400.00 total = $8.00 per
100 coins @ 1.75" + $125 set up = $454.00 total = $4.54 per
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Single side color price:
50 coins @ 2" + $150 set up = $467.50 total = $9.35 per
100 coins @ 2" + $150 set up = $545.00 total = $5.45 per
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50 coins @ 1.75" + $125 set up = $412.50 total = $8.25 per
100 coins @ 1.75" + $125 set up = $484.00 total = $4.84 per
Obviously it's far more economical to buy 100 coins over 50 when looking at CPU, and the different between 200 and 300 is largely offset by not having to pay the set-up costs (but it's still a decent bit more). It is very interesting to me that the larger the volume of coins purchased with color, the smaller the price difference becomes compared with no color at all. For large bulk orders that would be a consideration if you don't have a large enough demand to justify the difference.
Some questions (I love questions):
Why not start with having a few different mockups designed and 3D printed so we can see what we're looking at. I can see the benefits of going with a coin stamper vs printing all of them, but without having something physical to review, you're not going to get as much traction as you maybe could for the initial run (I speak from experience with the desk mats). Even just a plastic demo would be great IMO.
What would the coins be commemorating exactly? What is the "yearly thing"?
What is your plan for managing a volume that would justify the cost of buying 100 or more coins? It's going to be a good bit of work to get 50 coins sold and shipped and even if you're turning a small (20%ish) profit, it's a lot of work managing orders using PM's. Trust me.
Follow up question, at what point would the order be able to be placed? Would you need 10, 20, 35+ people "preordering" a coin in order to justify making the order?
Tying back to the yearly aspect, what happens to the old coins? Are they sold until they're gone or if there is enough interest in a coin design from prior years would a new order be minted? (Not that there's any tangible value to these coins, but for some people they could be seen as a "badge of honor" type deal.)
Edit: I'm drunk and didn't realize how long this post was.
I would prefer the single side colored coin. Black and Yellow is such an integral aspect of TEST that it would feel odd to stray from that. Also, the cost is almost completely negligible as I will point out below for everyone that hasn't take the time to do it already. As far as faces or logos or whatever, my opinion on that will depend on what the coin is for (which is one of my questions below).
I did a breakdown of the cost per unit based on the pricing page linked just to see what the difference ends up being. First is the cost for the 2" coin as those will most likely be preferable to most people, followed by the 1.75" coin.
No color price:
50 coins @ 2" + $150 set up = $437.50 total = $8.75 per
100 coins @ 2" + $150 set up = $509.00 total = $5.09 per
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 coins @ 1.75" + $125 set up = $400.00 total = $8.00 per
100 coins @ 1.75" + $125 set up = $454.00 total = $4.54 per
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Single side color price:
50 coins @ 2" + $150 set up = $467.50 total = $9.35 per
100 coins @ 2" + $150 set up = $545.00 total = $5.45 per
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 coins @ 1.75" + $125 set up = $412.50 total = $8.25 per
100 coins @ 1.75" + $125 set up = $484.00 total = $4.84 per
Obviously it's far more economical to buy 100 coins over 50 when looking at CPU, and the different between 200 and 300 is largely offset by not having to pay the set-up costs (but it's still a decent bit more). It is very interesting to me that the larger the volume of coins purchased with color, the smaller the price difference becomes compared with no color at all. For large bulk orders that would be a consideration if you don't have a large enough demand to justify the difference.
Some questions (I love questions):
Why not start with having a few different mockups designed and 3D printed so we can see what we're looking at. I can see the benefits of going with a coin stamper vs printing all of them, but without having something physical to review, you're not going to get as much traction as you maybe could for the initial run (I speak from experience with the desk mats). Even just a plastic demo would be great IMO.
What would the coins be commemorating exactly? What is the "yearly thing"?
What is your plan for managing a volume that would justify the cost of buying 100 or more coins? It's going to be a good bit of work to get 50 coins sold and shipped and even if you're turning a small (20%ish) profit, it's a lot of work managing orders using PM's. Trust me.
Follow up question, at what point would the order be able to be placed? Would you need 10, 20, 35+ people "preordering" a coin in order to justify making the order?
Tying back to the yearly aspect, what happens to the old coins? Are they sold until they're gone or if there is enough interest in a coin design from prior years would a new order be minted? (Not that there's any tangible value to these coins, but for some people they could be seen as a "badge of honor" type deal.)
Edit: I'm drunk and didn't realize how long this post was.
To answer,
- Yes, we'd need enough preorders at a price point to ensure the cost breaks even. Example, for 100 coins, minimum 35-ish preorders at a $15 price point. Or 60 preorders at $10 per coin.
- In the yearly aspect, TEST is constantly adding and losing members every years. By offering a distinct coin for each year, a TEST member can maintain a physical collection of his time at the org.
- The yearly coins would be available for the duration of the year, provided there is enough demand to produce additional runs. After the year expires, the die will likely be destroyed, and a new one cast for the subsequent year. This guarantees the collectible value to an extent.
- It also is possible to have coins minted to commemorate key events in Test history too. I can see a whole collection existing in three years.
JackAvalon
Space Marshal
As someone who has ordered coins for his unit, I highly recommend u look for other options like a keychain coin that also is a bottle opener. Yes they exist and they are awesome. Another thing is to not go cheap. Some people will only by one but most will by more than one to give to friends or to take to conventions and things to hand out to people they think are cool or deserve it. So my advice is simply to make an awesome probably a little expensive coin that opens bottles cause... You know.... We have problems... *Cough* Alcoholism *Cough*
ok, is there some way we can do a Kickstarter type page that would tag us for the money then once the main goal is reached we get charged for it? or would you rather we just confirm here that we want one? I think a Kickstarter idea for this seems the best choice since we have to have the die made. and it would confirm that the money is there for the project.
well we germans have no such problems..... at a young age you already learn to open beerbottles with almost everything you can find XD
you are no man if you can't open your bottle with at least 3 wildly different objects
Edit: i have enough friends that can bite those things open if needed XD
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Sign me up for two if they get to under $10 each. If not sign up for one. I have no opinion on style colour etc, but if they get below $10 I'm happy to buy a bunch.
I am in for at least one.
So if we get challenge coins are we going to set specific challenge rules for TESTies or go with the standard rules.
I stole these from a random site.
Rules
So if we get challenge coins are we going to set specific challenge rules for TESTies or go with the standard rules.
I stole these from a random site.
Rules
- The challenge is initiated by drawing your coin, holding it in the air by whatever means possible and state, scream, shout or otherwise verbally acknowledge that you are initiating a coin check. Another, but less vocal method is to firmly place it on the bar, table, or floor (this should produce an audible noise which can be easily heard by those being challenged, but try not to leave a permanent imprint.) If you accidentally drop your coin and it makes an audible sound upon impact, then you have just “accidentally” initiated a coin check. (This is called paying the price for improper care of your coin.)
- The response consists of all those persons being challenged drawing their coin in a like manner.
- If you are challenged and are unable to properly respond, you must buy a round of drinks for the challenger and the group being challenged.
- If everyone being challenged responds in the correct manner, the challenger must buy a round of drinks for all those people they challenged.
- Failure to buy a round of drinks is a despicable crime and will require that you turn-in your Coin to the issuing agency.
Metal-Muffin
Space Marshal
Please don't. As a Soldier that has recieved actual command challange coins, something the size of a quarter would be rediculous. Coins are suppose to be big. It's suppose to be like whipping out your Johnson, the bigger the better. Let's not be the little johnsons in the game. Test Squadron, Best Johnson!
Edit: I have an OPPF coin and it's 1.75".
Something like these? http://usdodcoins.com/custom-bottle-opener-coins/
I agree with keeping them larger, whats your thoughts on the cast ones? i have seen some done so nice you cant tell they were cast. That could save us a lot of money.
Coin needs to be at least the size of a 50 cent piece, not a quarter. Its supposed to be a heavy thing.
I personally like either the 3rd or 4th ones on that page, still a coin with a cutout or dogtag like. Just for utility the dogtag would be awsome.
Bigger is Better
Coloring the Logo side seems best to me, but I'll take consensus.
Material should be the nicest non-precious metal, unless precious plated turns out actually kinda cheap
Regardless of final styling count me in for at least 2 a year
Ultimately, I think we could make it work if we did it via a Kickstarter. A price of $10 per coin, and I could throw in a doodle on a card as a bonus.
P.S. Here's the email I got for quotes:
Looking at the fact that 3D Molding costs an additional $125 for 1.75" coin, that's pretty harsh. We can reasonably expect antiqued metal prices to remain roughly the same, too. The quotes above include color on one side (presumably, in this case, for the Aurora tails side).
P.S. Here's the email I got for quotes:
Looking at the fact that 3D Molding costs an additional $125 for 1.75" coin, that's pretty harsh. We can reasonably expect antiqued metal prices to remain roughly the same, too. The quotes above include color on one side (presumably, in this case, for the Aurora tails side).
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