Popeye’s Birthday

Popeye’s Birthday

Popeye is a character that every red blooded American relates to in one way or another and even though I am an Army guy myself I have to admit that he did make the Navy (or Coast Guard depending on your particular depiction of the character) loo pretty cool. I mean this guy has it all. Popeye is Patriotic, strong, intelligent in a way that can’t be measured by books or tests and possesses the iron will that most Americans would love to say is inside each and every one of us.

From the male perspective this goes even further. Popeye is an extremely strong character who has strong morals and will do anything for the woman that he loves. Olive Oyl on the other hand just seems to be that woman who likes to make Popeye’s life difficult even though he can’t help but fall for her even more in every strip or cartoon that you see. But by far the greatest appeal of Popeye to males is the fact that he is a simple, tattooed, sailor who remains polite until you push him over the edge.

Once things get to this point you can expect 2 things. Firstly Popeye is going to spout his favorite phrase, “That’s all I can stands, I can’t stands no more”, and then you expect him to down a can of spinach and kick the snot out of everything and anything that stands in his way or somehow offends him to the point that he feels it needs to be corrected.

All of this just wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t have his arch nemesis Bluto to antagonize our beloved hero. He can represent a lot of things to a lot of people. That bully that wouldn’t leave people alone, the guy who always seemed to get the girl and didn’t deserve it, or depending on the period of time that you followed the comic it could be looked at in a much larger context.

If Popeye represents everything that it is to be an American than in the Cold War era it would be easy to see how Bluto could represent everything that is or was the former Soviet Union. In this much larger context (which has never been officially supported by the creators of the Popeye character) you could see how the United States tries to be as tolerant as possible until we are pushed to the edge. Once this happens “That’s all we can stands, we can’t stands no more” and we move into action as a country fighting the evils of communism. Our spinach is ingenuity, and our strength is the United States military. The greatest fighting force ever assembled on this Earth (outside of the Avengers of course). We kicked doors down, and corrected all of the things we saw that were wrong with a given situation, or at least as much as politics would allow us too anyway.

So on this Popeye’s birthday, remember the character with fondness and get yourself a can of spinach handy for the next challenge that faces our nation. You can also get your official Popeye challenge coin at:

http://www.vision-strike-wear.com/Popeye-Bluto-Flip-Coin.html

Was into Olive Oyl Before it was Cool

Teufelhunden USMC Devil Dogs Veteran’s Day Coin Released!

Teufelhunden USMC Devil Dogs Veteran’s Day Coin Released!

It’s time to check out something by USM Marines for US Marines when it comes to a USMC Coin like this Teufelhunden USMC Devil Dogs Veteran’s Day Coin Released!

Since the Armistice signed in 1918 ending the First World War to today and the approach of Veteran’s Day in 2016, the United States Marine Corps has had a valiant career defending America at every twist and turn through her history as a Nation.

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Since the battles fought at Belleau Wood and the hundreds of battles the USMC has fought in they have never wavered, never given up, and have never turned over their swords to any opposing force. The US Marine that fought off the Germans at the Battle Of Belleau Wood knew this including the coining of the forever famous slogans: Retreat Hell, We Just Got Here! has forever been encased in USMC history.

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The newest coin developed by Vision-Strike-Coins.Com in honor of the US Marine Corps has been created in honor of the upcoming USMC Veterans on Veteran’s Day, to honor and celebrate all Marines that have been part of  the USMC brotherhood. This coin was crafted for you.

Own a piece of United states Marine Corps history when you take home one of these Teufelhunden Devil Dogs USMC Coins. From Bealleau Woods to the signing of the Armistice on Armistice Day in 1918 with their ferocity was first coined with their legendary fighting prowess. Retreat Hell, We Just Got Here became a USMC Slogan that has never tarnished.

Found at http://www.vision-strike-wear.com/Teufelhunden-Devil-Dogs… it is time for you to be honored with a detailed coin made for you.

It is part of what makes the US Marine Corps the Corps and a brotherhood and sisterhood that is founded on the blood spilled on the battleground called Belleau Wood. Iron Mike displayed on one side and the famous USMC Bulldog on the other. A fitting pair!

The Anniversary of 9/11

The Anniversary of 9/11

The word hero is one that is overused in society. Too may times we hear that this person is a hero or that person is a hero, and normally these people are just doing the right thing or doing their job. On the anniversary of 9/11 I think we should sit back, take a moment, and remember what the word hero really means. We should also honor all of the heroes that lost their lives that terrible day so that others could go home to their families. The firefighters, police officers, and volunteers who ran toward danger as everyone else was running away. The brave passengers aboard flight 93 who sacrificed their own lives so that another target would not be destroyed by the terrorists who threatened our nation and our way of life on that day.

Remembering 9/11 and our country immediately following that horrific day makes me think about the state of our country today. As you listen to the news regardless of which news agency you prefer, almost all of the rhetoric is focused on how to divide our country. We hear that Black Lives Matter, Police Lives Matter, the rich are suppressing the poor, trans genders are being discriminated against in some way, Republican vs. Democrats, and no matter what your political or personal beliefs on these things are you have to admit that these are all ways to divide the people of our country into separate groups. On 9/11/2001 and for the period directly following, the only group that people identified as was American. This was an act of war that threatened everything we have come to know and love in this country. No one cared if you were black, white, rich, poor, gay, straight, or anything else under the sun. Americans only cared that you were an American which meant you were on the same side of this new war on terror.

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I will start this by personally thanking all those who have fought for me and this country in one way or another. This includes my brothers and sisters in arms, police officers, fire fighters, EMT’s, and everyone else who has an occupation that puts them in danger so the people of America can enjoy waking up and knowing that they are free and safe. I want to thank all of those heroes who run towards the dangers that others are running away from. Regardless of your occupation or situation I want to thank you for your actions, service, or duties. I invite everyone to take a moment on this day and be thankful for the fact that our country is filled with so many of these people. Remember that the division that the media promotes will never result in anything but anger and chaos. Remember that we are all Americans and that means something.

The coins below were designed to honor our fallen heroes.

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US Mint Coins Made Just Like Vision-Strike-Wear.Com Coins

US Mint Coins Made Just Like Vision-Strike-Wear.Com Coins

The design, stamping, cutting, removing of sharp angles and cuts, polishing and packaging follows a certain degree of manufacturing protocols and a series of steps aimed at producing the finest engraved coins but also takes on one of an art form.

The process of minting a challenge coins begins with design. The questions often encountered are the shape, size and what is requested for the front and back and whether sequentially numbering or some other sort of information like a custom text, anniversary date, military unit, ship or other important information one would want etched into their coins. The process of taking a custom design and having it minted begins with the design and having the right company that knows and understands how design can translate into a metallic medallion is an important one. Not all designs can become coins regardless of the desire to produce one. The right elements of art and metallic tool and die making must come together to make it happen.

US Navy Popeye Decal

The minting process to make a US quarter is exactly the same as the design used to create the US Navy Popeye Challenge coin with Vision-Strike-Wear.Com. The US Mint utilizes for hundreds of years the same technology that is used by Vision-Strike-Wear.Com coins when it comes to producing the finest in military collectible challenge coins.

Design

Taking a picture and then replicating it onto a large format clay mold is the next step is designing a tool used to stamp your coins.

The die

Once the design is reviewed and approved the die is next to be produced. Using the large clay mold the details from the large mold are then etched into a smaller piece of steel used for stamping out the coins. The above image illustrates how the mold is etched preparing it for stamping.

The tool once complete is tempered and heated to a rockwellian steel hardness allowing to keep stamping for hundreds and thousands of coin stamps. When customers ask why a die or mold costs what it does they fully understand the costs associated with it when they see what the finished product is. A great military design can be put on hold when the die is not made to the specifications or level of details expected.

Coin Production

The design is made, the mold and tooling completed now its time to stamp out the coins.

Separating Coin Blanks

After the coin blanks are separated, added to the presses and then punched out they are transferred to the paint area where workers add enamel paint by hand to the various levels and sides of the military coins. This is a slow and very intricate task and is also a large reason for the longer wait times during the coin manufacturing process.

 

Inspection

Popeye US Navy US Coast Guard Double Headed Coin ™

With the coins now minted a sample is taken inspecting the coins for any flaws but also looking for correctness. If an issue is discovered the coins might be redone and the entire process gone through again to ensure the quality of the finished product is maintained.

Packaging

Military coins upon their completion are then sent to the packaging area where they are often added to a clear poly bag for protection and presentation.

USMC Military Coins Defining A New Level Of Excellence

USMC Military Coins Defining A New Level Of Excellence

No 2d coins or thick as flim flam coins should ever be produced for US Marines. They really deserve the best. It doesn’t have to be flashy and colorful. What it does have to have is quality, dependability and longevity in its manufacture but also in how it is displayed. The US Marine Corps since 1775 has been recognized as elite warfighters for a reason and to produce something less than what they deserve just isn’t how one does things.

USMC Military coins need to be thick, sturdy and have both kick ass graphic but also a message that resonates with United States Marines. I am sorry but my USMC slogans like my Dad’s a Marine, OO-RAH, a simple EGA with Semper Fidelis although solid just isn’t enough anymore. Too many copycats and look over my shoulder coin companies. Instead originality and quality are the demands of the day and not this overused, overdone bullshit. So with that being said we have posted a number of killer US Marine coins produced with the original and copyrighted artwork of Vision-Strike-Coins.Com so that one can quickly see how the difference in quality USMC coins is being established over the past “get by” quality coins which are now obsolete.

USMC Spartan The Few The Proud Marines Coin

Become one of the first ever to own this limited edition Marine Corps military challenge coin.

The United States Marine Corps since 1775, a year older than the United States Of America, was first born in a small tavern A bar. Who could have imagined that? Tun Tavern is located located on Philadelphia’s historic waterfront at the corner of Water Street and Tun Alley leading to Carpenter’s Wharf near what is today known as “Penn’s Landing.” Here small group of highly patriotic American ansered the call and formed a regiment. A regiment that would lead to the birth of the United States Marine Corps. November 10th 1775.

The USMC has always been among the smalles of the military branches but it has endured as the most ferocious fighting branch of the US Military. Grunts. Jar Heads. Leathernecks. Devil Dogs. The US Marine has been distinguished as one of the most highly valued warior throughout the confrontations, battles and wars spanning the history of the US. This USMC Spartan The Few The Proud Marines Coin was created in their honor. There has been a long association between the Spartans of old, the brave 300 that fought off the Persians faced with impossible odds. The US Marine is the Spartan renewed and they been etched into the anals of history as one of the most fierce, highly trained and always faithful warriors ever. Semper Fidelis!

USCM Eagle Globe and Anchor Tribal Coin

The USCM Eagle Globe and Anchor Tribal Coin was designed for our brothers and sisters that serve in the United States Marine Corps. This 2 inch, 4mm coin displays the prominently featured Anchor, Globe and Anchor the famous and highly recognizable icon of the USMC. There is no mistaking the EGA when it is displayed like this. The deep 3D releife and etching of this coin stands apart from all other USMC coins and its quality and appearance was laid out and conceptualized by a team of US Marines who wanted to see this Marine Corps coin developed to perfection.

The reverse side of this USCM Eagle Globe and Anchor Tribal Coin is a mirror image except that it is crafted in antique gold coloring making its presention unique. Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful, is illustrated along with the birth year of the USMC, 1775. This USCM Eagle Globe and Anchor Tribal Coin stands apart from all others and makes an amazing part of your shadowbox, military coin collection or gift when given to a US Marine. OO-RAH!

USMC 0311 Rifleman Marine Corps Coin

Every Marine a Rifleman first. No lie. The backbone of the US Marines is its riflemen. Known as grunts, these warfighters are among the elite when it comes to taking the fight tot he enemy. Unpredictable. Ferocious. They are feared by enemies all over the world and fight at incredible levels of acuteness. They are grunts. They are Riflemen. They are US Marines and this coin was designed specifically for them and in their honor. The following video displays and discusses the detail and durability of this USMC 0311 coin which is unmatched in quality and craftsmanship in the industry!

The USMC 0341 Mortarman MOS Coin!

USMC 0341 Mortarman Marine Corps Coin

Hang! Fire! This USMC MOS Coin for the US Marine MOS 0341 was created for the Mortarmen of the United States Marine Corps. Detailed, crafted with precision and bearing the unique and singlular military coin art of Vision-Strike-Coins! This 0341 USMC MOS coin displays with ferocity the skull, cover, crossed mortar tubes, base plate, MOS and Mortarman description all making this a unique and finely made USMC coin.

The USMC 0351 Infantry Assaultman MOS Coin!

USMC 0351 Infantry Assaultman Marine Corps Coin

The 0351 don;t just fire at tangos hiding behind walls and cover. They wipe them out. The US Marine 0351 is trained to do one thing above all others: Infantry Assault. Mobile, hostile and carrying the equivalent of infantry destroying missile system they take care of the rooftops, the scrubs, trees, walls, houses and just about anything else one would find an enemy combatant hiding behind or in.

Their business is to destroy infantry and their business is good. This 0351 highly detailed coin was designed and crafted in their honor.

USMC Spartan Marine Corps Coin

How about them Spartans. I will take your Spartan Pahalanx and raise you a US Marine Company. Their Spartan 300 is a Marine rifle platoon on a bad day. The Persians would never have lasted against a snall group of US Marines and thats a fact. We all know that Sparta produced warriors and they were some of the most highly trained warriors of their day. In the modern world of combat and battle the US Marine is that warrior. At no time in history have men been so purposeful when it comes to dedication, training, accomplishment and loyalty as a US Marine. To draw the similarities between US Marine and Spartan warrior is an easy path to take since both are so well verses in their roles as warriors.

This USMC Spartan coin combined elements of both the USMC and Sparta as a way of illustrating their connection as the best of the best. This USMC Spartan coin makes that distinction.

USMC Rank coins from Vision-Strike-Coins.Com are also some of the most detailed and well built military coins in the industry. Each of these USMC coins are rolled out featuring a USMC rank, Kbar skulls, ammunition, crossed rifles and and more. These Us Marine Coins were inspired by US Marines for US Marines. The goal of VSC is to craft the finest in Marine coins from two standpoints: 1. Quality and 2. Detail. The originality of their artwork is medallic art form is what separates these coins from the pack so the goal from the beginning was to create a Marine coin from the rank of PFC to Sergeant major so they could be enjoyed by all.

USMC Private First Class Coin

USMC PFC Skulls and Kbar Rank Coin ™

USMC Lance Corporal Rank Coin

USMC Lance Corporal Skulls and Kbar Rank Coin ™

USMC Corporal Rank Coin

USMC Corporal Skulls and Kbar Rank Coin

USMC Sergeant Rank Coin

USMC Sergeant Skulls and Kbar Rank Coin ™

USMC Staff Sergeant Rank Coin

USMC Staff Sergeant Skulls and Kbar Rank Coin

USMC Gunnery Sergeant Rank Coin

USMC Gunnery Sergeant Skulls and Kbar Rank Coin ™

USMC Master Sergeant Rank Coin

USMC Master Sergeant Skulls and Kbar Rank Coin ™

First Sergeant Your USMC Rank Coin Is in!

USMC First Sergeant Skulls and Kbar Rank Coin ™

USMC Master Gunnery Sergeant Coin

USMC Master Gunnery Sergeant Skulls and Kbar Rank Coin

As it can be seen the United States Marines must have the finest in high quality coins because as the finest they demand it in return and they deserve it!

USMC artillery has been also at the heart of the tip of the speer when it comes to the United States Marine Corps. The Marines that man the Triple 7’s, (777) don’t jsut destroy the enemy from over the horizon. They destroy the enemy completely. This 0811 USMC Field Artillery Cannoneer coin was designed and crafted out of respect to the 0811’s of the US Marine Corps.

0811 Field Artillery Cannoneer USMC MOS Coin

USAF Rank Coins Fly Fight And Win

USAF Rank Coins Fly Fight And Win

The United States Air Force the youngest of military branches is also the most sophisticated and technologically advanced military branch in history. And because of their focus on techology to fight and win the day in the era of modern warfare a set or USAF Rank coins meets the challenge of both detail and quality that comes as a much needed addition in the realm of military coins and military collectibles.

USAF Senior Airman Blue Beret Rank Coin

Ruling the battlefield means possessing the highest ground and when it comes to control of the skies the UNited states Air Force can go even farther. As the msot advanced technology oriented military branch amond the American military branches they control space above the Earth with the most avanced satellites in modern warfare. They control the skies! This USAF Senior Airman Rank Coin is one coin found within this USAF rank coin category that demonstrates the intensity of the USAF branch, its vibrant color and detail along with this skull striking fear into America’s enemies while donning its blue beret. Crossed rifles and the US Air Force Rank insignia of Senior Airman, satellite and USAF wings adorn this highly detailed United States Air Force Rank Coin.

USAF Senior Airman Red Beret Rank Coin

With that being said each of the USAF ranks will be added to the growing arsenal of US Air Force coins already launched from Vision-Strike-Wear.Com. These Senior Airman Rank Coins are among the first with this specific rank added and also made available in these highly detailed 2 inch, 4mm coins is the ability to select from blue, red or gray berets more specific to your area of specialty and interest.

USAF Senior Airman Gray Beret Rank Coin

We Will Never Forget Coin

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