Coins

Second only to pins, coins are a very popular collectable and tradable merchandise within Round Table. The round coins lend themselves perfectly to the shape of Round Table Rondels.

The first known mention of challenge or fellowship coins in Round Table appears in an old article from the 1980s, where Danish Tablers were seen carrying customized coins. These coins are collected, displayed, traded and gifted. Having a coin on you allows you take part in the Coin Game.

Coin Designs and Coin Designing

Designing a coin is actually quite simple if you break it into clear steps. First, you need an idea. Think about what the coin is for and what it should show. For example, it could represent a club, an event, a social project, or just a personal design that reflects what represents you. At this stage, you do not need to be very creative or use complicated design software. A simple sketch on paper or a clear description in words is usually enough.

On the international circuit, you can often hear people ask, “Does this count as a coin?”. There are some informal guidelines. At the very least, a coin should be solid, have designs on both sides, include a patterned edge, and make a sound when tapped against a surface. Most coins are circular, around 40 millimeters in diameter, and made from metal. However, there are many exceptions, and creative designs often challenge these expectations.

Next, you decide how to turn your idea into a real design. If you have some experience, you can create the full design yourself using a digital tool. If not, you can prepare a basic concept and then work with someone who has more experience. This could be the shopkeeper of your association or the RTI shopkeeper. Another option is to contact a manufacturer directly and work with their in house designer. You explain your idea, and they help you turn it into a professional design.

Once the basic design is ready, you move on to the details. You choose the material, most often metal, but not always. In addition to classic casting processes, coins can also be made from recycled plastic, 3D printed, CNC machined, laser etched, or even produced by hand. Then you decide on the colors, the size, and the type of finish. These choices affect both the look and the price.

Designs for coins have become very elaborate. Some coins have unusual shapes instead of being perfectly round. Others include moving or spinning parts, or even magnetic connections that allow pieces to attach to each other. These creative features can make a coin more unique, but they also increase complexity.

After all decisions are made, the coins go into production. When they are finished, they are usually packed individually or in small groups, often in plastic or paper bags, with paper being the more sustainable option. Then they are shipped to you after payment.

As a general rule, the price depends on quantity and complexity. Larger orders usually reduce the cost per coin, while more complex designs, for example with many colors, three dimensional elements, special finishes, or mechanical features, can increase the price.

Some Associations have design guidelines on the design of the coin, such as the Coin Design Standards for RT Denmark’s coins.

Recycled Materials: In aid of a Service Project called “Clean the Sea”, RTIT 76 San Miniato Fucecchio produced a coin made out of discarded fishing nets. These were sold to raise funds for the cause.

History

The origin of the Round Table Coin is the stuff of mystery and controversy, with several sources claiming to be the first to introduce it.

Claim by Round Table Denmark

Claim by Round Table Southern Africa

used “Fellowship Tokens”

Claim by Round Table Italy

A surprise claim comes from a 1980 coin commemorating 20 years of RTIT 2 Roma. The coin was presented in a folding plastic pocket. The coin has a 40mm diameter, in line with the current standards for coin design. This could very well be a happy coincidence, and the coin could have been considered as a type of medal, or other Italian tradition.

Collections

Some collectors in the RT context are very passionate and enthusiastic coin collectors who truly enjoy their little hobby in the RT world. They collect coins in many different ways, for example by country or association, by specific themes such as social projects or personal coins, or simply by trying to get every coin they can possibly find. For many of them, the joy is not only in owning the coins, but also in the search and the stories behind them. The coins are often carefully displayed in special coin boards made of plastic using 3D printing or crafted from wood, as well as in acrylic shelves or decorative wooden display frames that make the collections easy to view and share with others.

No collection is ever truly complete, because every year hundreds of new coins are released and discovered. These include personal, regional, and national coins, as well as coins that are created and sold to support social projects and good causes. Because of this constant growth, collecting is rarely something that has a clear end. Instead, it becomes an ongoing and evolving journey, often lasting many years. Each coin is more than just an object, as it is usually connected to a personal experience, a memory, or a special moment that the collector had at an event, making every collection unique and full of meaning.