Originality in design and concept separates quality in terms of a US Army coin from the mediocrity that has until now been prevalent in the scene of US military coins. Second best is no longer good enough. Ther is no award for 10th best Army coin in the marketplace. Up to this point many small businesses in the military coin industry relied on its customers to provide a way to find a design whether captured from a website on on some Google image search often leading them to someone else’s art in the first place. There seems to be plenty of followers and too few original art developers, aka the leaders.
So where where does that naviate towards in the game of high stakes military coin design. Well quite simply it takes us to the original art of Vision-Strike-Coins.Com. Possibly the most copied (frequently without permission) and leading military coin designers in the military marketplace. Their level of quality when it comes to their Army and National Guard coins is unsurpassed. Their art is original and their passion for creating unique, quality intensive coins has no equal.
Below find a few of the most recent designs featuring Army coins illustrating the detailed art found in these 2 inch, 4mm coins crafted for our US Army soldiers and National Guardsmen. The atwork is both origially designed and copyrighted to ensure you receive only the finest licensed and approved quality military coins.
The 11 Bravos, The Infantrymen of the US Army had in their honor a US Army Infantry coin created jsut for them! The detail, creativity and presence of this 11 Bravo coin was made for them.
Combat Medics. The 68 Whiskey Coin was developed right after the 11 Bravo because having a coin for the battlefield doctors was a necessity. The Combat Medics work hand in hand with our Infantry and their committment, dedication and professionalism needed to be addressed by having a coin made in their honor.
The Army nurse pinup after a great deal of discussion with the 68 Whiskeys was selected as the central figure for this US Army Combat Medic Coin. The Louder You Scream The Faster We Come!
The oldest militsary branch, the National Guard had to have a coin for its Guardsmen and the coin artists went yto work immediately creating this Always Ready, Always There National Guard coin. The crossed rifles, tri-cornered hat, skull, American flag and wongs depicting and symbolic of its air wing capabilities were encapsulated into this highly detailed ARNG coin.
Since 1636 the National Guard has answered the call of battle since even before the birth of the United States. It is only fitting to have a coin made out of respect and honor to them.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal, the men with Nerves Of Steel are an elite group of borderline crazy as shit, daring, inventive, adrenaline junkies (and certainly some of the most professional and skilled operators) that literally take their lives intot heir own hands by disassembling IEDS, explosives, charges, mines, artillery rounds, dynamite and anything you can virtually throw together with a cellphone and rigged to high explosives. Their courage knows no bounds and the risks they have to take on an unparalleled level.
They are the explosives warriors. They are the EOD. This EOD coin was made out of 100% pure respect for these incredible soldiers that perform these life saving tasks on a daily basis. We are so amazed by their work that we had to design and create this coin in their honor.
When our men and women in the United states military go on deployment or into hostile and combative locations they want to know they have more than hard training, dedication, leadership and leadership and an overhwelming sense of Freedom. They want to know that not only the armor on their kevlar will protect from enemy combatants like the Tangos that pop up from behins a ville, stoney wall or from a mountainous terrain. They want to know they have something more than just dumb blind luck.
The whole idea of going out on a mission is to complete it but also return and help as many of your brothers and sisters to get back too. No soldier, Marine, Sailor, Coastie or Airman will ever leave an American behind. Not ever. It is part of who we are and it is a part of being American.
That being said this Armor Of God Coin was created for those whose beliefs span well beyond the world we know it and extends to a spiritual belief that we can believe in more than jsut ourselves and through faith and determination we can get home and bring as many with us as possible. To safety and to those that can be of help in the reas of the battlefield where safety, security and support can be found. This Armor Of God coin was created for you. Keep the Faith!
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God,so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvationand the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
– See more at: Armor Of God Coin
The United States Navy Minsweepers have one of the most important roles in the US Navy fleet. Clear the sealanes ports and harbors of the variety of mines an enemy can employ to attempt the destruction of any passing by warship. Their specialized hulls prevent magnetic mines from locating their ship as they close in and deploy their sophisticated equipment that erradicate mines that get in the fleet’s way. They are known to be the first in last out when it comes to mine clearance. They are there for a reason and that reason is a threat to the security of the US Navy. Navy minemen are highly trained sailors that know and understand their mission and they do it well.This US Navy Minesweeper Coin was designed for the men of the minesweeping ships of the US Navy. This US Navy Minesweeper Coin is 2 inches in height and 4mm in thickness and makes the perfect addition to your military coin collection.
Wooden Ships. Iron Men!
The original US Navy Minesweeper Coin
Deep 3d relief with metallic gold, blue and silver accents.
2 inch coin (4mm thickness)
Highly detailed relief Commemorative antique silver with gold accents coin.
The Army 68 Whiskey known as Army Combat Medics are doctors of the battlefield. They train and go into combat with their 11 Bravos and help dispense much needed life saving medcine, care, wound management and often pickup and retrieve soldiers that need to get out of the fire and back to safety. Army 68 Whiskeys get their very own Army pinup design featured on their Army Combat Medic coin.
The United States Army 68 Whiskey’s have a coin just for them. If you are training in Whiskey Land or working step by step with the 11 Bravos and Infantrymen of the US Army complete pickup, help the wounded and provide battlefield medicine whenever the need calls for it. Whether aboard a blackhawk on a Dustoff mission or working in garrison the men and women of the US Army that perform the life saving role of Combat Medic are integral to the US Army and its soldiers.
The nose art seen on the bombers of the Second World War featured military pinup art and many of those ladies of decades past were seen on aircraft to this day are still know by their name alone. Names like the Memphis Belle, Full Boost, Lucky Lady, Texas Raiders, What’s Up Doc, Special Delivery and Sho Sho Baby to name a few. These beautiful pinup ladies were classy then and they are classy now and they have become very much a part of the military history and experience to this day and are part of the military tradition.
This Army Combat Medic The Louder You Scream The Faster We Come Coin is 2 inches in height and 4mm in thickness and makes the perfect addition to your military coin collection.
The Louder You Scream The Faster We Come!
The original Army Combat Medic The Louder You Scream The Faster We Come Coin
Deep 3d relief with metallic gold, red and silver accents.
2 inch coin (4mm thickness)
Highly detailed relief Commemorative antique silver with gold accents coin.
What used to be associated with a slimey, spineless, destroyer of ocean depths puking ink at every moment as it runs scared to some den of misery under some aquatic rock, a squid. It is no longer a denizen but a much feared and intelligent predator of the seas of the world and its famous nom de guere has been taken back by the men and women United States Navy sailors.
Furthermore the squid has now officially become the silent mascot of the US Navy. It has become the landlord of the ocean and now can be said with a clear sounding voice that the “Sea Is Ours” and when it speaks it means us and by us it means the United States aka America!
The Sea Is Ours
Since October 3th, 1775, America’s Navy has fought, defended, and protected America all over the world. The honor, courage and commitment the US Navy has demonstrated has ensured America’s way of life and the people of the United States could never be as proud of the finest Navy in the world. America’s Navy!
Because of America’s love for her Navy, the history and her traditions the metal coin artisans of Vision-Strike-Coins.Com have created two US Navy squid coins that capture the connection of the US Navy, her passion for the seas, her command of the oceans and dominance across the globe.
So whether you are at military garrison, working the top deck or below deck of a US Navy warship, in the air, under the sea, active duty, retired US Navy or prior-service these cool US Navy squid coins are central to your coin collecting and no USN coin collection is complete without a US Navy squid coin.
Taking credit for the work of others whether it be by someone that purposely wears the military uniform of a US military service person, impersonating them, is commonly referred to as stolen valor. Stolenvalor comes in many forms. Wearing the uniform of a service person is just one example. Take credit for the work of others and pawning it off as their own is another. Filing one excuse after another as to why they shouldn’t take responsbility for ripping off someone else’s artwork or design is another form of both cowardice and stolen valor.
The military and copyrights ~
Our men and uniform are not trained in copyright law. They don’t often understand its intracacies and they don’t get that exposure or training and that isn’t their fault. Often times a design is seen doing a simple Google search and they locate a cool military design they would like to see made into a military coin. They forward it on to some coin company and presto chango they get a coin.
Seems simple enough. But not really. The reality of it is that more times than not the design is often owned and copyrighted by its owner and that means permission is needed. In order for that work of art to be made into a military challenge coin you have to have the written permission of the artist. Not to receive this permission causes significant issues with the military and can be detrimental to your career in the military because it is a legal matter and an ethical one. So when in doubt ask. If the artwork was not originall created by you then it needs permission. Do yourself a favor and just ask.
The Copy Clowns ~
It can still get worse believe it or not. Not only does our military not often get the training they need in deciphering complex copyright law or at least navigating the mine infested law of custom military artwork but they get to work in an environment of shark infested waters where coin companies are ready to pounce at any opportunity our military gives them: right or wrong.
Right ~
Sending artwork you have permission to copy or use to a company to produce coins is the right thing to do.
Wrong ~
Sending artwork to a company you don;t have permission to copy or use is wrong.
Answer ~
Very simple. Use a reputable company that considers its own ethical behavior and knows right from wrong and values its own reputation before you consider consider working with them. A brand new design created from scratch is always the best move. This way you never have to worry where it came from, have a hard tracking down the owner of the artwork and you can ensure it is yours to work with. This is the best course of action.
The Cheaters & Non-Competers ~
So who do you stay away from? Better yet you should run away from these so called cheaters and non-competers. Why? Because they don’t ask, don’t care and would take your money any way they can and put you in harms way when it comes to a legal issue of copyright infringement. When you take a design to a cheater you are guilty of a copyright violation that could wind up costing the government a lot of money and throw your career in the military into a tailspin. Furthermore, the company that took your order is also guilty for not making sure you have written correspondence from the owner of the artwork. If you cannot prove you have written permission then you don’t and the company that is making the military coins for you is equally liable for making them. It’s not worth your career and losing your business over.
Example ~
The following coin was produced by Kidder Corporation. The design was created for the US Navy at a training facility.
Sounds great? Only problem is that Kidder Corp did not have permission from the copyright holder and had been told repeatedly never to copy the arwork of Vision-Strike-Wear.Com ever. The US Navy sent a design from the website located at Vision-Strike-Wear.Com (Which also bore the name of the website it came from Vision-Strike-Wear.Com) to Kidder helping to provide evidence of its original location and copyright holder and instead of asking for permission they submitted the design to Kidder Corporation and the coin was made. The artwork was not authorized to be produced.
Kidder Corp also had the coin pouches used to hold the coins printed with their name on each coin bag they produced further evidene that they had been produced by Kidder Corp. Lastly the US Navy unit was contacted and Vision-Strike-Coins.Com was informed by the Command Master Chief that the manufacturer was in fact Kidder Corp.
(Bag Used to Hold the unauthorized Corpman Coin design in).
Solution ~
Its simple.
Get the written permission of the copyright holder or original artist.
Don’t work with a coin company that fails to ask important questions like: Do you have written permission to produce this artwork? Please provide evidence you have permission.
Make sure the coin company you choose to use has integrity and can create its own artwork and not copy the work of others. Taking the quick route is often not the right choice.
Create your own artwork or have something created from scratch. If you created it then its yours.
Remember that an intangle item like a work of art is still property. Just because you can’t drive it doesn’t mean that it doesn;t below to someone and that its not real. It is real and someone worked hard to make it. So if your coin company will take anything you send them without asking questions then don’t walk away. Run!
So the next time you decide to have a coin made keep in mind the company you will be working with and use only companies that don’t profit from the artwork of others and without the artists permission. Ethical behavior will over win over making a bad decision.
