KOTCT Members Forum

I am very happy to see that the History section has been renamed in Gary's honour, I would also like to put forward an idea for the 2010 KOTCT medal. I would love to see a Turtle from the Burke's turtle service, with a Kelpie riding shotgun. What say ye fellow Knights?

I like that idea myself.  A memorial medallion.

Has my confirmed vote!

Great idea

I'll vote for that!!!   :)

Yea Verily, Yea.   :)

A very fitting way to remember Gary especially in view of his commitment to the Medallion project each year.

I think it would be very fitting.  It's a great idea.

You have read my mind! But after giving this a little thought I would suggest the following;

Let's do a tribute Pewter only so we will have the room to say and show what we feel. As most of us know Gary LOVED the big 63mm pewters. It appears we will have funds left over from the 2009 Medallion Quest so the impact may not be too severe. In the mean time we could run a few auctions to be held in a special account towards this project and only this project. I would suggest that they also be offered to whomever desires them, NOT just KOTCT members as Gary frequented other forums or at least he used to.
At this particular point in time I see the title on the front as "Tears Around The World" (top obverse) with "In Memory of Sir Gary Burke" on the bottom. (Design would be?)
I also see "Burkes Imaginary Turtle Service, Delta Colorado" on the reverse with the turtle crawling out of the water upon a beach. There should be a small package on its back. I think there should be a slogan such as "Shipping Friendship Around the World"
It would be nice if we can get Knight of the Coin Table somewhere on the pewter. We would also need to list Gary's birth date and passing date.
I hope none of you are offended with my idea as that is what I see this morning and it gives us something to build on. I also must think about Gary's family, especially those grandkids, as we do this and do want them to be able to hold something they will be very proud of in the future.
I will make sure Daniel Carr gets to read our posts in this thread and look forward to hearing your ideas as well. We have lost a Founding Father of this group, our scribe and our historian along with a very dear friend. To know this man was an honor!

 The design idea we are currently working on towards the 2010 Medallion Quest would not be appropriate for our tribute to Gary. With that in mind I suggest the above.

I have been in touch with Daniel Carr, both yesterday and today, and wish to pass a little information on to all of you. I now have the balance on our 2009 Medallion Quest and those numbers should give each of you some idea how costly our dream of a tribute to CoinCrusader will be. While I recommended a Pewter medallion it would not be the most economical way to proceed if we wish to do a tribute at this time.
   The total costs for our 2009 Medallion Quest at this time is $3,075.00 of which $1,100 has already been forwarded to the Moonlight Mint for the purchase of silver blanks. This leaves us with a balance of $1,975 which we have on hand so are 2009 Medallion Quest is in the clear and successful again. We are going to have monies left over as we went into this project with over $600 from our last quest and I am guessing (Just guessing without looking) we will have a $1,000 still available after all payments for medallions are received
   Now one major point I must make is we did not incurr the costs for a new reverse design which would have been an additional $1,250. That cost will be included in our 2010 design, if we proceed, as the design is going to change.
   If we proceed with a memorial tribute can we raise the amount of money needed for both obverse and reverse designs and then sell enough medallions to cover the costs? The most economical way to proceed would be with the cheaper copper medallion in 39mm as the blanks for Pewter 63mm are nearly $7.00 each.
   The point I am tryin to make is very few of us see the whole picture like I do as I pay the bills. We all see the costs of the medallions as $20 or $40 each which is required to raise the funds for our total. The three types of copper medallions offered, for example, costs us $2.50, $2.75 and $6.50 respectively which is far from $20. It is the costs such as design fees, engraving fees and sculpting fees we don't see. There are other minor fees thrown in throughout the process and they do all add up.
   I want each of you to know I am more than in favor of a tribute to Gary Burke as a founding father of this forum but I need for you to see what we are up against. I still like the idea of the huge 63mm pewter as it offers much more room and high relief. But can we do both the Tribute Medallion and the 2010 Medallion Quest? Is there potential to sell medallions elswhere to raise the additional funds? Other fourms? General public? Ebay? I await your ideas and thoughts in the next few days. Thank you in advance as we move forward.

So many numbers. I'm a little bit confused.  :-\

I'm all for a tribute to CoinCrusader and will go along with what ever the rest of the bunch wants to do. The cost of the coin will not make much difference to me. However I don't know just how many of the tribute coins could be sold to folks not on this forum. It might be wise to wait a few days for all of us to excerpt Gary's passing before we decide what we want to do in tribute for him. I hope I haven't hurt anyone's feelings by saying this. It's just sometimes it takes a few days for us to get our head back on straight after such a shock as losing such a good friend.

I would suggest doing a 63mm pewter medal, showing a memorial turtle design on one side, with the standard 2009 KOTCT shield on the other.   That way, there is only the cost for one die.   And 63mm gives plenty of space for all the desired imagery and wording.   Although the 63mm pewter blanks cost a lot more than the 39mm copper blanks, the total cost of doing the medal in 39mm with two new dies would be more than the 63mm medals with one new die.   There is the possibility of doing a 39mm medal with the turtle design on one side and the standard shield on the other.   This would be the lowest cost option.   But there might not be enough space in 39mm to put everything on one side.

Thank you for your imput Daniel. I know of Gary's huge love for those large 63mm pewter medallions so I think that would be most appropriate. Also using our KOTCT reverse would save us quite a chunk of funds, especially with the 2010 Medallions looming in the near future. Give us a few days and we will get with you concerning this tribute.
   There are a great number of members here who really don't know how this forum came about and who the founding fathers actually were. Gary Burke played such a huge role in our formation and success, along with his family, that I really wish to honor this man and his life if we can. I suggest we take Daniel's advise and move ahead from there. Feel free to voice your opinion or suggestions but please understand we cannot take forever coming to a decision and, after we receive necessary information that should be on the tribute medallion, Daniel will create the design. I await your comments along with the other moderators.

I like the idea of a 63 mm medal in honor of Gary.

Less talk ... more action....


Lets do it!

Here is where we are at and I assume in support thus far'

We will have Daniel design a 63mm medallion as a tribute to Gary Burke. (Obverse)
We will use the reverse design currently used on our 2009 Medallion which will be a KOTCT shield which we approved last year and is quite an attractive design.
The design will be based on "Burkes Turtle Service"?
Wording should include which of the following'
Tears Around the World
In Memory of Gary Burke or should it be Sir Gary Burke?

We would need his birth date and passing date. Should we have Delta, Colorado as well? I personally think so.
Founding Father?
Scribe?
Historian?


I will make every effort, with the available cash on hand, to keep the cost at $20 per medallion so it is important that we try to get everyone in the group to purchase at least one. Also we will need to know how many to give to the family? I will start another thread in a few days for medallion and until then continue to read your suggestions and replies.

I will most certainly go along with a 63mm pewter in Memoriam of Gary.

I would like to see 'CoinCrusader42' and maybe KNIGHT No 2 somewhere in the wording, not sure how it could/would fit in though.  I actually thought of him more as CoinCrusader42 than as Gary Burke.

Birth Date - 27 December 1942
Passed - 18 March 2010

I also like the idea of having a Kelpie riding shotgun for the Turtle, but it might not be practicable.

This is what I had in mind. I think that would be the best option.


I really hope we can fit this on the design.

Things have been a bit hectic for me this week so I am not sure if Gary passed on the 18th or 19th. We must be certain.
I also would like to see CoinCrusader42 as well on the medallion. Hopefully Daniel will keep checking in here to see our suggestions.

Excerpts taken from Michelle's original post.  I bolded the date.

I'll pledge $100 to get this project off the ground if it will help.

Nohope I appreciate your offer as it will probably take most of our available cash on hand to cover the cost of the new obverse design. (Engraving, Sculpting and new die fees) While I do not have the final payment made to Daniel I will have a balance very soon as most payments for the 2009 medallions quest should be in my hands by the 25th. After that the only outstanding costs will be the bubble mailers and postage costs to get the medallions delivered shipped world wide. Let me try and get something concrete this week so we will know exactly where we stand financially. With the 2010 Medallion Quest looming yet this year I want everyone to know our situation. With that in mind I feel we should move forward with this tribute to a very good friend who really has been a major player in all of our success. Whenever I had doubts Gary was always there to stand with me. There are others here who were there with us all along and I appreciate that very much. This castle is full of amazing people who continueously beat the odds in everything we set out to do. Now it is time to honor one of those people.

I do have the capability of putting edge lettering on the 63mm medals.
So that gives more "real estate" on which to place text, if needed.

Check out the Brazil Dois Reais Note it has a nice rendition of a Turtle.
http://www.blackmountaincoins.com/p/BMC/c-SEALIFE-COINS/2001_BRA_02425.html

Nevol please put me down for one. I have room in my life for another heirloom!

Gary didn't just ship packages or coins around the world. He shipped friendship!

"Shipping Friendship Around the World" - I think I like the idea of that, rather than "tears around the world".
Makes more sense with the "turtle delivery" theme.   Also a way to remember Gary for the good parts, not the sad parts.

I think we will all agree on that Daniel. You do the design and we will get other info to you as quickly as possible.

I have been in touch by email with Daniel and his timeline to strike these medallions will be in April if we can get our info to him quickly. I think reading these posts will give him a good idea what we are interested in. Here are a few mentioned ideas?

Shipping Friendship Around the World
Gary Burke, Delta, Colorado

Birth date and passing date

Scribe, historian, founder?

CoinCrusader42,  #2

Yesterday I put a notice on mom and dads site about Gary's medallion......it did mention KOTCT and it was deleted.

Today I wrote up a post NO MENTION OF KOTCT and started a new topic about this medallion and offered thier members this medallion......again DELETED and it was deleted by bobby.

What an insult to the memory of Gary!!  

At this point I am still on the beach looking for a more suitable vessel than the one that was offered yesterday.
I am sorry to hear the post was deleted. I know there is some animosity between them and KOTCT. I am not sure where it sprang from and I don't really care.  I will contact those on the forum whom I think might be interested. People I will never understand that's why I stick to coins.

If you don't offer Bobbi 25% of the take he will delete you  ::)
He is such a child : he could have had more  :D
Now he is just the phototaker and bouncer  :P

All WE demand here is YOUR friendship and your return to YOUR forum and castle. No advertising income, few rules and regulations and the right to speak your peace on an equal basis. Make your trades FAIR and be honest. Chivalry at its finest! And, if you are looking for Gods I would suggest going to your favorite church on Sunday. We have none here!
Post counting means nothing here other than the fact they do look good to those who might like numbers. Even though they might look good our hour (time) counter says it all! Looks like I took my last two vacations here? Saved me a bunch of money staying home with you guys! ;D
Yes, we as a group have had opportunities to spend some money here TOGETHER on OUR quests. But no one is REQUIRED at any time to spend one red cent to remain an equal in this castle. The only thing we MUST do is pay for the forum, it's upkeep if needed and domain names (every two years) and we all know how we have done that! Donations, auctions, quest profits and pride in being a Knight or Knightess.
Our moderators have to be the most underworked moderators on the net! While we don't see eye to eye all the time our differences have probably made us stronger as it has opened our eyes to other possibilities.  That would go along with one of my favorite sayings, "A mind is like a parachute! It's not worth a damn until it's open!"
I know at times I might move slower than molasses in winter time but I do manage to get caught up once in a while!  ;D Thank you for being so patient with me!

To all the above suggestions, Gizmo and I say "Yea".
He was always fond of turtles.
regards,  Muckeye................... ;)

I think the disagreement is with mom and dad and NO NO NO reconciliation with those two a__holes is possible since they only want to make money money money  ::)

Ok, this is what I came up with.   The Kelpie didn't really work out as I wanted to try and have a portrait in the design, and the resulting arrangement didn't leave much room.   I'm going to try something I've never done before on a coin, but I think it will work.   I'm planning to incorporate a "dot matrix" image directly into the engraving.   When engraved, the "dots" will be little depressions in the die face (raised on the struck medal).   When combined with polishing on the high points of the die (standard proof-like finish), the image will be revealed when the polished areas reflect dark (with raised dots frosted white).

I'm also expecting to put additional edge lettering on them.   There is a lot of room on the edge and I can use a large font.    Something like "In Memory of Gary Burke, 27 DEC 1942 - 18 MAR 2010".

(http://designscomputed.com/coin_pics/burke_medal.jpg)

All very good, love the design and the new dot matrix image sounds interesting.  I hope it works out for you (and us).

One thing I would point out is that the date of Gary's passing is March 18, not 16th. 

Love it, I,m all in favour.
Maybe the Kelkie next year! ;)
regards,  muckeye........

Has my vote as well.  Great job as usual from a great professional.

Looks great, Daniel.
Once again you have excelled yourself.

Very impressive, Daniel!

Yes, corrected my typo, thanks.

All I can say is GO FOR IT Daniel! Nothing like being first at anything!  ;) This would absolutely be something to have, hold and cherish for a lifetime. What an honor it is to be a part of this medallion. If the dot matrix works it will put Daniels work on the same level as all the major mints of the world. I have only seen one country turn out such technology and that is the Netherlands. This truly is exciting!

Looking out across the beautiful ocean, the clouds in the sky and our Sir Gary will always be there as another friendship package has reached the beach. I really do like this!

Hi Great Job Mr Carr!!!!  very Cool Medal looking forward to reciveing some
Sir Jeffrey  hansenhome

It's both highly respectful and novel. Amazing stuff!