Here is a production update:
All medals are done (striking and final finishing).
This weekend I am working on the packaging (signed inserts and flips).
I plan to make the bulk shipment on Monday.
Here are some general notes from the production:
Every batch of planchets is different. This year the color-toned copper exhibits a very wide range of toning from medal to medal. For whatever reason (most likely subtle changes in the planchet chemistry and/or the temperature at which the copper sheet was formed) they were hard to control and are generally not as vibrant in color as previous years. I think the best thing to do in distribution is to just pick randomly so it becomes a "luck of the draw" situation in terms of the actual medal received by each buyer.
The 1-oz silver cobs have a new type of finish that I have not applied previously to KotCT medals. The "circulated" finish still shows some of the original luster, but they really do look like they have seen some long-ago circulation. They are nice in that you can hold one in your hand and not cause any detriment to the appearance or technical grade. Due to the copper that they were exposed to during the "circulation" process, they picked up a warm golden hue.
A small chip has broken away from the 39mm reverse die, in the narrow space between the right globe and rim (right next to Australia). The chip is small so the die could still be used next year, although I'm still having a little difficulty getting the rims to strike up fully. So we may consider engraving a new 39mm reverse die next year (with modified relief at the rim).
Normally, the color-toning process on silver results in a very splotchy and usually unattractive pattern. But due to the chemistry of the cob blanks, and the extreme radial expansion when struck, I found that the color toning on the two-troy-oz cobs was attractive. Also because of the large amount of metal flow, the 2-troy-oz cobs have a "starburst" luster pattern in the polished field areas. This, combined with the color toning, has produced a "striking" appearance. Most of the large cobs have a few small planchet cracks around the perimeter (not unusual for cobs in general and not surprising given the amount of radial expansion that occurred).
The Churchill Crowns worked pretty well as host coins. Some of the original design can still be seen around the perimeter after the over-strike.
One of the brilliant 39mm brass medals was found to have a blemish on it, so I converted that one to antiqued. I just now adjusted the mintage figures to reflect that.
