The Knights of the Coin Table
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our History.
Some of us "old timers" first got to know one another as members of the Coin World Forum. When that forum ceased operation, many of us moved to Coin Talk, and then on to Coin Community Family.
It was there that Knights of the Coin Table was born, and flourished for a while.
As time passed, it became more and more obvious that our castle and its coin table would eventually become unwelcome at CCF.
The problems seemed to start with the questioning of a moderator, suggesting that we needed to be "more" than just an organization operating internally.
Then, the CCF forum owners questioned that we were any different (goals, accomplishments, projects) than anyone else in CCF, and, if not, why did we need our own forum.
Eventually the plug was pulled on the Knights of the Coin Table, but good things often come from adversity. Many of us continue to be members of CCF, and it remains a fine forum. But we no longer need CCF or Coin Talk. We have our own home.
Let the record show that our permanent castle came into being on the 3rd October, 2007
Posted by Gary Burke (CoinCrusader42-Deceased)
Being a former history teacher it is important to me that certain events don't just fade off into obscurity to be forgotten forever.
I have seen that happen with many topics on a local level.
I thought it might be fun as well as historically important someday to keep track of where the Knights of the Coin Table came from, and the progress the organization has made.
So, I'll start with just a bit or two of information.
In my mind there are two primary heroes regarding KOTCT.
The first is Richard (rggoodie).
I wish I knew him better, but have communicated with him and find him a kind and very knowledgeable and generous person, and an expert in Australian currency. I don't know if his nationality is Australian or U.S. He describes himself as a displaced Aussie.
Anyway, we probably should give him credit for originating KOTCT. It all started as a sort of joke where collectors were urged to have at least one Aussie coin in their collection. Richard was behind the push to get collectors interested in Aussie coinage.
Then along comes Terry who coined the initials A.O.D. The initials stand for Ambassador of the Darkside, and apply to those collectors who helped bolster the Australian economy by purchasing good numbers of their beautiful coins.
A.O.D. evolved into Knights (and Knightesses) of the Coin Table.
Having exchanged many e-mails about the possibilities of KOTCT, and somewhere along the way decided to assign him the Number 1, and I jumped in as No. 2. Seems to me that Lim from Australia was next to join.
So, I look upon Richard and Terry as the two most responsible for Knights of the Coin Table, and would add myself as someone interested in the organization, and have worked a little to sustain it.
The Knights worked on the perpetual coin set which travels the world. A holder that houses the set was handmade and there are coins within the set that were donated by many knights. You know I believe history is important and should be kept, but the future is what History is made of
The knights have the potential to really influence and leave a lasting footprint on the world of coins and coin collecting, the talent that has and continues to accumulate here from around the world has untapped potential, it only awaits the rising of a leader with vision and enthusiasm to unleash that potential.
Purpose of the Knights of the Coin Table?
First and most important, it is just a forum to enjoy. In addition it has become a safe haven for trading, and we are just concluding our first major project -- the 2007 KOTCT medal.
Following is a post on April 4, 2007, which appeared in the Main Forum of CCF.
It seems to me it should be included in our history thread.
------------------------------------------------------------
The Knights of the Coin Table also have the Knightesses as well.
This great bunch of Darksiders actually started quite by accident, or should I say, by a joke and it has flourished ever since.
They developed the word coin chivalry and promote STRICT and HONEST trading among their membership. And, yes it is one of the SAFEST places in the world to do coin business as banishment from the Kingdom is for ever.
Quite honestly we have become almost a family and do welcome new members quite often.
The year 2006 brought our first wooden dollars as a tribute to this fledgling group of coin collectors and then a huge medal quest was tackled for 2007.
This group is now the first online group, in our knowledge, to ever have their own silver, copper and brass medallions struck and it has been an international effort filled with trust and cooperation that is simply unheard of today.
The medallions were struck in a satin finish and a proof finish.
Designed by U.S. engraver/sculptor Daniel Carr they are truly a sight to see and will become one of the rarest modern day medallions ever struck.
Hopefully the designs for our 2007 medallions will be posted here for public display soon. Plans are already underway for the 2008 medallions which will pay tribute to OUR Knightesses who play a major role in this very unique FREE organization.
This group will soon launch its own version of the Coin Community's Perpetual Give-A-Way set which is currently traveling the world from collector to collector.
Ours will carry the silver medallion and wooden dollar of one of our founding fathers who passed away months ago. While none of us, in the beginning had any dreams of K.O.T.C.T actually becoming anything, well, we have had nothing but dreams ever since.
Put bluntly we are one of the most successful organizations, that is not an organization, to ever exist that does not exist.
Being a very active member of this outstanding group of international collectors has been one of the most rewarding things I have found in my life.
We have gone beyond coins in many ways. We have suffered a few growing pains, but always found ways to still share coins, photos, history, culture, respect, honesty, trust and family. At this time there is nothing to match this group in the world today.
Posted by Rggoodie in August, 2007
It took some research but the Knights look like they were formed in March of 2005
At first some used the name Ambassadors of the Darkside then Terry, Lim and myself came up with the knights and many avatars and imodicons of knights were shown.
A little history lesson with dates.
Well my personal opinion, for what that is worth, is that the Knights apparently have become a part of this forum and the intentions, at this time, is to build a SAFE group of people all over the world to trade, buy and sell with and it appears it is working.
Perhaps keeping the info available would benefit all involved and give new members something to work towards?
One thing is for sure NO other forum has such a group which helps keep us heads above the rest.
I have had many questions as to what is a KNIGHT of the Coin Table.
Requirements for acceptance into this organization are pretty simple You MUST own an Australian coin, you MUST collect foreign coins from another nation other than your own (Darksider), you MUST enjoy sharing the knowledge and histories of the coins and countries collected (Ambassador of the Darkside) and FREQUENT this forum on a regular basis.
In 2006 one of our moderators has designed and had minted wooden coins for members of the Knights of the Coin Table.
These are paid for out of his own pocket as his desire to involve others in the Darkside specifically AUSTRALIA.
When the forum was started, I was the only one interested in Australian Coins. I like many others came here from other forums. I came because it was a friendly family place to be.
In my early coin collecting days I was introduced to the term DARKSIDER - I thought I was some villain from Star Wars.
I was honoured to be known as a darksider.
After a few months, I convinced the forum owners to start a separate thread for Australian Coins.
Being the only Aussie collector active on the forum at the time, that kind of made me the EMPEROR or Pharaoh of the Australian Coin section.
Not having the best knowledge in the world of Australian coins, I invited my mates from the Australian Forum to join this forum- many visited some joined.
NOW we have quite a few forum members interested in DARKSIDE coins or more especially Australian Coins.
I do not care if you call yourself a darksider a knight of the coin table or whatever title you desire.
We have places on the forum for US coins, Canadian Coins, Aussie coins, UK coins and World coins.
If we need any other specialty area, we will create them as the interest is shown.
We will however not tolerate exclusiveness or any activity that will divide the forum.
So you may call yourself a Knight of the Coin Table or you may call yourself a darksider, but we will always refer to you as forum members and friends.
It does not matter what you put after your name as long as you are courteous, play nice are fair and want to belong to the forum.
On the 3rd October, 2017 The Knights of the Coin Table celebrated our 10th Anniversary.