Geocoin
As a Geocoin Trackable is called when geocaching, ie an object which is to travel from geocache to geocache and its route can be traced on the internet. Although Geocoins are often referred to colloquially as coins, there are, strictly speaking, medals and medallions with no monetary value.
The grammatical gender of the word in colloquial German language is not yet firmly established. The basic word coin as its main ingredient is still used as a foreign word with a feminine gender.
Appearance
A Geocoin usually has a diameter of 1 ½ to 2 inches ( ≈ 38-51 mm ) and a thickness between 2.5 and 4 mm. Coins in size from 1 inch ( ≈ 25 mm ) are called micro - coins. These coins can be placed in micro - caches (eg, film boxes ). The smallest Geocoins with ½ inches ( ≈ 13 mm ), the nano- Coins, which are sold since 2009. From a macro -Coin is called from a diameter of 3 inches ( 76 mm ) and more.
The world's largest Geocoin ( with tracking ID ) was prepared for the mega event " Geofarm 2011" in Switzerland and measures about one meter (width 109.6 cm, height 103.9 cm, thickness 8 mm). Although it weighs only 25.9 kg, thus relegated to the size of the previous record holder, who was still world champion in the category weight: It is the ship's anchor, which was created for geocaching event " North Sea baptism 2010" by hand. This weighs about 40 kg at a height of 97 cm height and 62 cm width. As with Geofarm Geocoin these Riesencoin the official event Geocoin was modeled.
Only about half of all Geocoins are circular. The base material is either bronze (for embossing) or a zinc alloy ( cast metals ).
On most Geocoins an individual six -digit serial number is stamped, which is also referred to as a tracking ID, tracking code or tracking number. With this serial number geocachers can log on Geocaching.com the discovery of the Coin ( eg in a geocache or at an event cache) and the drop in another geocache. Thus, third parties can follow the path that the Geocoin has come, on the Internet, available on the website of an activated Geocoin instead of tracking ID, a reference set of code ( seven-digit, starting with TB), the tracking of the Geocoin by geocachers to geocachers allows, however, this log is in derogation.
This tracking IDs are sold by Groundspeak and cost the manufacturer per U.S. $ 1.50 (as of 2012). These tracking numbers are 6-8 digits: the first two digits are in each Coinserie same, then followed by a 4-6 digit alphanumeric code. Some Geocoins have yet another number on (usually 3 digits): this is the consecutive serial number (which need not be entered for logging).
If you have found and logged such a Trackable, the Fund appears on the personal stats page of Geocachers with a special, Trackable the associated icon. Some geocachers attach particular importance to collect as many of these icons. For an individual icon Groundspeak asking the manufacturer for a one time fee of $ 150 (as of 2012).
It is also possible to log Geocoins without further transport, so-called Discovern ( ' Discover '). The owner of the trackables receives at each log a status message of the current place holder or by e -mail. More recently, the Visit function ( ' visit '): where the coin is virtually placed in a cache and immediately removed again - this stopover message simultaneously brings the odometer on the current status If a Geocoin is lost or can not be found, is Missing ( ' missing ') logged. This Logart is currently only possible for the Coinbesitzer and the owner of the cache, in which the coin was the last time logged.
Before into circulation bringing a Trackables this must be enabled. For this purpose, an activation code is required, which is either supplied with the coin or from a website (usually the manufacturer ) must be obtained. Since late 2010, the activation code directly from geocaching.com / track is available. Each Trackable, as well as a geocache itself, at any time be transferred to another player during a so-called adoption.
History
The first Geocoins were brought from the Geocacher Moun10Bike in circulation. Thanks to a special relationship with the operators of Geocaching.com these "treasures" from the outset, the central Geocaching site were trackable and thus served as a model for the large number of existing today Geocoins. Because of their small circulation Moun10Bike coins are in high demand and do not circulate. Accordingly, rarely is a fund of such medal in a geocache.
Expenditure
In April 2013 there were already more than 6100 different Geocoindesigns (May 2012: 5200, May 2011: 4600, May 2010: 3500) - arrive daily on average about two new added. Most also appear in different versions (eg, various metal finishings such as gold, silver, copper, bronze, nickel, black nickel (BN ), Antique Gold (AG), Antique Silver (AS ), chromium ), for which often following are abbreviations used ( by circulation):
- SE - Special Edition, sometimes called Standard Edition ( = RE) interpreted
- LE - Limited Edition
- XLE - Extra Limited Edition
- XXLE - Extremely Extra Limited Edition
- XXXLE - as above, only rarely
The very limited Coinserien appear in editions of about 10 to 30 pieces. Collectors pay for it, depending on the design, very high prices. In addition, more and more frequently Artist Editions produced, which are Coinausführungen that are not commercially available, but normally can only be exchanged. More than 85 % of all Geocoins are never placed in circulation, but is collected and exchanged. For this purpose also, though rarely, Geocoins are offered without tracking ID.
Problems
Compared with Travelbugs disappear Coins increasingly on their journey. Attractive appearance may covetous desires collecting passions, but it can be speculated about the causes only.
More Trackables
An alternative to Geocoins are Pathtags ( "Path Marks"), which were introduced in 2006. These have the uniform standard size of a 1 Euro coin (23 mm diameter) and a hole, so they. To the keychain or similar can be hung. All Pathtags of the same design shall bear the same six -or seven- digit number (as opposed to the Geocoins in which all an individual six -digit code have ). Logged (only Fund) and are manufactured Pathtags only pathtags.com where the Pathtag -owners are also tools for exchange available.
In 2011, new additions include the 30 - mm - wide Geosems. As with Pathtag is also available in a Geosem swapping a personal object in the foreground, tracking online is not a core function of this type of collector medals.