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For those who don't know, forums.penny-arcade.com will be closing soon. However, we're doing the same kind of stuff over at coin-return.org with (almost) all the same faces! Please do feel welcome to join us.
For those who don't know, forums.penny-arcade.com will be closing soon. However, we're doing the same kind of stuff over at coin-return.org with (almost) all the same faces! Please do feel welcome to join us.
2024 Challenge Coin Returns!
Dave247
Melbourne, AustraliaRegistered User regular
Melbourne, AustraliaRegistered User regular
Please make sure to read this post from me to learn about the current status of the coin!
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It's been a bit of a will I won't I behind the scenes if I would pick up the mantle of making a challenge coin for Aus, not helped by the added pressure how I would be the first show since after covid to do so and as my first time as a newcomer. But I made a plan (which is listed below) and have started the first step of that plan, so I guess you can say I am committed now.
Yes this is all very early to start preparing, but I want to leave myself more than enough time to get everything done as I know I would struggle if put under the wire to rush and get it done on top of my other life commitments.
So the way this is all going to work, is that I have three possible and potential ideas that could be made into a coin for the year, and will be paying an artist friend Dokucchito create a rendition of each (It's totally not an excuse to throw money at them I swear). Once they are all competed, as per past years there will be a vote for people to choose which is their favourite and the winner will ultimately be the one that is minted into a coin. I didn't feel comfortable in my own photoshop abilities to go at it alone, and the added benefit of using an art for the early stages is being able to create practically anything you could want.
My idea is to have a theme of sorts that the coin design follows, and what better theme than whatever the current year’s show theme is! I don;t believe that has been done before either with any of the past coins.
However, this year with the theme being PAX anniversary made it a little tricky to work with, as unlike 80s VHS or Space in the past two years, there isn't an obvious design to follow. That was until I came to the realisation that it's basically just a throwback theme, which also suits how this will be restart of challenge coins, as there's a good deal of history there with past coins that can be used for it. So without further ado...
Design 1
Starting off from the very beginning. I dug deep and found a image of the very first PAX West Challenge coin, that was luckily backed up on the wayback machine from the PAX wiki, and wanted to do a homage to that, but in a Aus style.
Design 2 - Winner
Keeping with the theme but moving forward in time a few years, I thought to look back on the first Aus challenge coin from 2015. But this one has proved more challenging, as like with the first design, I would like to change some things so it not to just be a reprint of the same coin as that would be boring.
For the tram side, perhaps the pollywoodise boat witht he MCEC wording above it? That's the only thing I can think of that would be different while still remaining in the same vein.
That just leaves the other side, and... as I was typing this, I just had the perfect idea for it. @fishfishmonkeyhat tells me the duck is from an iconic Aussie NES game, so keeping with the iconic Aussie animal game, there's only one that I can think of which I'm sure you know what it is too. And that is the duck from Untitled Goose game. Or for our not copyrighted purposes, just a regular goose. But with those three lines next to his head, I bet everyone will be able to hear that annoying honk just from looking at the picture.
As for the tag line, I suppose there is "Peace was never an option" but that would require changing the pose for the goose to be holding a knife, though I suppose there is also the original pose of standing on an axe in a stump that could be used too.
The completed design had some changes from the inital idea, due to the boat being so, well, big, we decided not to include the MCEC sign as the fear is it would have been too messy with too much going on. I hope you all still like the finished look though!
Completed design:
Production artwork
3D- no paint:
Painted:
Lastly for posterity, here is a link that has images of every single past PAX challenge coin.
https://web.archive.org/web/20210119183214/wiki.paxcommunity.net/paxwiki/Challenge_Coin
----
It's been a bit of a will I won't I behind the scenes if I would pick up the mantle of making a challenge coin for Aus, not helped by the added pressure how I would be the first show since after covid to do so and as my first time as a newcomer. But I made a plan (which is listed below) and have started the first step of that plan, so I guess you can say I am committed now.
Yes this is all very early to start preparing, but I want to leave myself more than enough time to get everything done as I know I would struggle if put under the wire to rush and get it done on top of my other life commitments.
So the way this is all going to work, is that I have three possible and potential ideas that could be made into a coin for the year, and will be paying an artist friend Dokucchito create a rendition of each (It's totally not an excuse to throw money at them I swear). Once they are all competed, as per past years there will be a vote for people to choose which is their favourite and the winner will ultimately be the one that is minted into a coin. I didn't feel comfortable in my own photoshop abilities to go at it alone, and the added benefit of using an art for the early stages is being able to create practically anything you could want.
My idea is to have a theme of sorts that the coin design follows, and what better theme than whatever the current year’s show theme is! I don;t believe that has been done before either with any of the past coins.
However, this year with the theme being PAX anniversary made it a little tricky to work with, as unlike 80s VHS or Space in the past two years, there isn't an obvious design to follow. That was until I came to the realisation that it's basically just a throwback theme, which also suits how this will be restart of challenge coins, as there's a good deal of history there with past coins that can be used for it. So without further ado...
Design 1
Starting off from the very beginning. I dug deep and found a image of the very first PAX West Challenge coin, that was luckily backed up on the wayback machine from the PAX wiki, and wanted to do a homage to that, but in a Aus style.
- First up, obviously the Space Needle doesn't work for Aus, so instead it will be a skyline of Melbourne, looking across the river at the CBD buildings as that is arguably the most iconic "Melbourne" shot we have.
- For the opposite side, as a good 10 years have passed since this coin was minted, the 3DS will be updated to a Switch console instead, in the same hand held up pose.
- And around the side, the coin will obviously say Aus and Melbourne, and not Prime as that would be silly. Along with using NULLUS ANXIETAS as the Latin phase as the previous Aus coins all have.
Design 2 - Winner
Keeping with the theme but moving forward in time a few years, I thought to look back on the first Aus challenge coin from 2015. But this one has proved more challenging, as like with the first design, I would like to change some things so it not to just be a reprint of the same coin as that would be boring.
For the tram side, perhaps the pollywoodise boat witht he MCEC wording above it? That's the only thing I can think of that would be different while still remaining in the same vein.
That just leaves the other side, and... as I was typing this, I just had the perfect idea for it. @fishfishmonkeyhat tells me the duck is from an iconic Aussie NES game, so keeping with the iconic Aussie animal game, there's only one that I can think of which I'm sure you know what it is too. And that is the duck from Untitled Goose game. Or for our not copyrighted purposes, just a regular goose. But with those three lines next to his head, I bet everyone will be able to hear that annoying honk just from looking at the picture.
As for the tag line, I suppose there is "Peace was never an option" but that would require changing the pose for the goose to be holding a knife, though I suppose there is also the original pose of standing on an axe in a stump that could be used too.
The completed design had some changes from the inital idea, due to the boat being so, well, big, we decided not to include the MCEC sign as the fear is it would have been too messy with too much going on. I hope you all still like the finished look though!
Completed design:
Production artwork
3D- no paint:
Lastly for posterity, here is a link that has images of every single past PAX challenge coin.
https://web.archive.org/web/20210119183214/wiki.paxcommunity.net/paxwiki/Challenge_Coin
Dave247 on
0
Posts
Pinny Pals Lanyard
Bin chicken? With VR goggles? OK i'm just being silly.
I'm not really in favour of the basic Melbourne skyline as that could represent any other city in the world with 'box' like skyscrapers. I would suggest replacing the skyline with an individual building that is iconic to Melbourne. Previous years it has been Jeff's Shed, etc. The first PAX Aus was held at the Melbourne Showgrounds and that maybe more suitable if you wish to show the beginnings of the Melbourne show.
fishfishmonkeyhat should have a complete set of the PAX Australia coins. Worst comes to the worst I could attempt to take some photos of the set of PAX Aus coins. Catch is I don't normally read this forum.
Some (in jest in part) suggestions
Truck stuck under a bridge (a very common event just down from jeff's shed)
The Bourke St Clam Purse (https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/art/the-public-purse) - iconic image know by most that go to Melbourne.
Polly Woodside Ship (right next to Jeff's Shed) - has been used by vendors before in PAX tie-in's. Easy to make a Pirate themed coin - https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/polly-woodside/
PAXAUS 2024 where the 2024 is upside down (or the AUS part of the PAX is..), or the globe, where Southern hemisphere is on top (ie Australia)
Bin Chicken vs Drop Bear - personally think that would make a cool look, given our previous Drop Bear. - could even one per side - with text along the rim saying "Pick a Side/Team" or "Who will win" (with PAXAUS text on the other side etc.
Something along the lines of ARSE - because sticking a word like that on a coin is so Australia ( https://spaceaustralia.com.au/ ) - Although "Bugger" would work well too
Another Iconic Melbourne sculpture, Vault, the yellow peril.
I also thought about Atari HQ in Oakleigh and the Atari House in Albert Park, some classic 80's Melbourne gaming history.
Former Atari HQ pays homage to one of Atari’s most popular videogames, Space Invaders.
Former Atari House, Queens Road, Melbourne
You're all also just in time to see the completed first design! I hope you all like it as much as I do. Dokucchi always manages to blow me away with the work she does.
So with that all done it will be onto the second design now. I'll only wait a day or so before committing to an idea with the artist, as I don't want to wait too long as I run the risk of forgetting about it.
Is there an intent to do a bronze only and a colour version? IF doing colour, I would suggest doing the full laquer of the 17/18 coins
I would also support the full laquer finish. Unfortunately photos are not going to show the improvement the full laquer treatment brings to the coins.
Regarding the Atari buildings. Of the two photos the only one to consider is the Oakleigh 'flying saucer' building.
Regarding the in jest suggestions. I like the idea in the form of a coat of arms with a Drop Bear against a Fighting Kangeroo (with Boxing Gloves). Instead of text how about a crocodile positioned around the bottom edge. Unwritten is what other country eats its coat of arms (emu and kangeroo).
If you really want to go back into Melbourne's gaming convention history, PAX Australia was preceeded by Phantastacon (starting 1981) and Arcanacon (Starting 1983). Google for details.
I'm always a fan of any antique finish for challenge coins.
Enamel can be tricky for some suppliers, but luckily you can often do a QA pass before signing off on a full run.
I'll take a few days to think over what the third design should be, based on what people have suggested here in the thread, and will give an update when I've locked in it.
Yes both options will be available. The designs are in colour as they can can simply be stripped away as needed when passed over to the company. As for the company, I am set on using KidderCorp which is the same that fishfishmonkeyhat made use of as they offer a lot of benefits where I don't see a reason to change.
So instead we'll just move on to the voting process. I've created a simple Google form where you can pick between one or the other design for which you would prefer to see minted into a coin. I haven't decided exactly how long to keep the form open for as we are still running ahead of schedule. It will be for a few weeks at least. I'll give warning when I'm going to close responses. In the meantime i'll reach out to Kiddercorp with a few questions I want to ask them.
Here's the link to the form, which I will also include in the first post. Feel free to share the link around to whoever, even to people who aren't able or interested in purchasing a coin themselves can still get involved if they want to.
https://forms.gle/TdMbKrN9T9z2xBai9
They're looking good. I like the second design, and I assume you know but the date will need correcting on that one.
Pinny Pals Lanyard
Ahaha, I don't know how I managed to completely miss both the error and your post until today. 😅
I've fixed it, as I have some important news to share with everyone!
Design 2 is the winner! I know I said I would give people notice before closing the poll, but the result was 27-16, so it was unlikely for the result to change. Also because I didn't intend to wait as long as I did, and realised I still have another form to send out to gauge how many coins to order.
Winner pie chart:
I've now sent off the winning design to KidderCorp, with the next step to be waiting until they get back to me with a production artwork, which I will then share with you all along with another form where you can indicate how many coins you intend on purchasing. I've asked for both a colour and plain/uncoloured version, as has been done in previous years.
3D- no paint:
One final step remains before it comes time for the order form, I need to give Kiddercorp a number of expected orders, so that means I need you all to fill out another form. This one is purely to indicate how many of each coin you would intend on purchasing, to make sure that enough gets minted for everyone who wants one. The form will stay open until at the latest next week sometime, though I don't have an exact date. Prices for the coins are included in the form.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoivXW0BzGeKBq5UgbZhrGBlv0CkfIi8ZvPua1YOo-yf5JQA/viewform?usp=sf_link
Pinny Pals Lanyard
I sent Kiddercorp an email and they got back to me with a revised production art that includes a reeded edge, though it does come with a 20 cent increase in price that I hope people are ok with.
Production artwork
3D- no paint:
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I also have some bad news to share. Penny Arcade reached out to me and told me that I needed to get the coins approved by marketing before starting production, so I'm going to have to put off submitting the order. As PAX West is on this weekend and they would all be very busy with that, I don't expect to hear back until next week at the latest. The reason this is a problem is because it means by the time I do hear something back, the window to receive the coins prior to PAX Aus happening is almost certainty going to have passed, meaning that I can't obviously offer a pickup option.
This being my first time handling this it has been something of a stressful event due to a lot of unknowns, but I'm determined to still make it happen if that is what people want. I have already been thinking of ideas of how I could improve things if I was to do it again, so with this delay I plan to bring those ideas forward (such as creating a dedicated website store to handle pre orders) as a way to better way to handle and manage things, both for what you see and for what I have to deal with behind the scenes.
That does mean the only way to receive a coin will be through shipping which there will be an added cost to it, so I understand if for some people that means not ordering a coin. I'm yet to work out the exact pricing for what shipping would be, but it would be done by me (for Australia), and posted as a letter making the minimum cost $1.50 (or multiples of for larger letters with more coins), up to a maximum of $12-$13 for a parcel of a large order. I would need to confirm with the company, but I imagine they should be happy to continue handling shipping US orders themselves, as they can do so at a cheap price.
The alternative would be to call this year a wash, and try again for next year. But I don't see a reason to at least still try. I'll go more into the details of what exactly the new ordering process will when the time comes, but no matter what there is now going to need to be a minimum total number of coins ordered for it to go ahead. That number of be 100, though technically it would be more like 90, as I plan on ordering at least 10 of each to keep on hand to use for whatever. Looking at the responses of the EOI form, both coins have either just hit or are close to hitting 100, so as long as at least 90% of people who filled out the form commits to buying a coin then it should happen. If not, then there's always next year.
Lastly, I would like to apologise to everyone for not being better prepared. I tried to start things as early as possible and give myself more than enough time to deal with any problems should they arise, but sometimes even the best plan can go awry.
Thanks for taking the time to write some words of encouragement, it means a lot to me. I know this is something that people want and care about, which is what drove me to want to pick it up in the first place, and what continues to drive me to find a workable solution to make it happen.
It's been a number of years since anyone has done any challenge coins for PAX. So I probably should have expected that some change would be necessary, rather then just try to do everything the same. I'm optimistic though that by me starting it back up again for one show, that someone else in the US will be inspired to take it back up too.
I still haven't heard anything back from PA, probably because right when they were done with West, they had to go straight into getting ready for Aus. I hope to hear something back by the end of the year though.
Rest assured I will make sure to get an answer eventually, and update everyone when I do.