Here's the production version of the Knapadonia Challenge Coin. Top left are all the bits and bobs of the die system. Lower left are 4 views of the first coin. I wanted these to look like ancient Roman or Greek coins, and I think I achieved that... #tomsterlingengraving #hand engraving #carbide3d #carbidecommunity #nomad883 #nomadpro #coindie #coinmaking #coining #minting

Oops...I CNC milled a shallower version of the challenge coin die and engraved the lettering - do you see the problem? (Upper left images) So, I lathe-turned away the lettering, at the same time making the arrowhead a little shallower - probably a good thing! Lower left, the resulting copper coin after just 2 pressings/annealings. I'll take that - time to make the lettering for the back and start production... #tomsterlingengraving #hand engraving #carbide3d #carbidecommunity #nomad883 #nomadpro #coindie #coinmaking #coining #minting

The first pressing from the challenge coin die, and the other two parts of the assembly: a steel pusher and a thick aluminum tube to keep everything aligned in the press. I had a 3/4" circle of 1/4" thick annealed tellurium copper for the first attempt. I'm going to call this one a failure...while it looks good, it took 7 or 8 annealings and pressings (20 tons) to get a complete impression. Too much work, so I'll make another shallower die and try again. #tomsterlingengraving #hand engraving #carbide3d #carbidecommunity #nomad883 #nomadpro #coindie #coinmaking #coining #minting

Here's a close up on this year's #dragonsmelter #coin #design (1 of 4). Depicted is the face of this year's Chinese #zodiac, the #monkey. This mock up was #3Dprinted to have an ultra detailed model to carve our #coindie for the #playa. #macchiarinicreativedesign #burningman #burningmanart #ttevortwist