Anyone remember the R.C.C. Ember and Flame tokens?
Klif50
Posts: 729 ✭✭✭✭
In the years before the WWW really took off with social media, there were news groups for almost every interest. One of those newsgroups R.C.C. or Rec.Collecting.Coins was very active. I see some names here that were active on R.C.C. During that time, an enterprising individual, and I can't remember who, made some tokens for the group. One, and I think it was the first one, was called "ember" and it was followed later by the "flame".
At one time they used to show up on Ebay. Mine have long since been lost and I don't even have a picture of them. If someone has one or both, can you post a picture for old times sake?
The group had some difficulties and there were several auctions of donated material to pay the cost involved. It was a time when the community came together and did something right.
Comments
I have a set! (Somewhere)
Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
I remember you from the old RCC days. I have followed your post since those early days.
I started posting as a small child. 🙂
Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
Me too, I was only in my mid 50s then.
I remember rec.collecting.coins and why it fell apart
It was a great place to hang out. It did, in fact, fall apart and it was very unfortunate. We won't bring up the why as it's still an open wound, but there were some great discussions and coin finds during the heyday.
If I recall correctly the RCC tokens were struck by Kyle Mutcher of Four Corners Coin in Canada:
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/825252/anyone-remember-the-rcc-rec-collecting-coins-token
Alas my memory isn't slipping!
I found them!
Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
Not sure if anyone remembers me, but I posted quite a bit on RCC? I’m pretty sure I have one of the ember flames somewhere. I will search tonight for it .
Does anyone know if the pictures we posted on RCC are available still online to download? I have a certain “sunset” Oregon I’ve been looking the pictures I posted for it. ?? Any thoughts or anyone remember the coin by chance?
Raising old posts from the depths of the interwebs is fun!
I have been a collector since 1960, and I have never heard of the group or known anything about the tokens. Were they mostly into foreign (non U.S.) coins?
Interesting 🙂
Most of the discussions concerned US coins and there were a lively discussion concerning a "grading company" that ended up with a legal defense fund being created. Most of the members from that time frame have passed away over the years.
I remember R.C.C., but don't recall the tokens.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
I beg your pardon!!!
You and I are among the few I'm aware of that are still above ground. (subject to change at any time)
I was just thinking back to RCC and Ira Stein (?) was my mentor in the group. Highly knowledgeable and kind to my rookie questions. Another guy was a Ham radio operator, I think lived in South or North Carolina. He headed up the legal defense fund, but can't remember his name or callsign for the life of me. He died a couple of years ago. Given time I will probably remember another name or two. RCC was always hopping.
I remember participating in RCC somewhat, but not much about any specifics.
RCC was fun and educational for its time. There are quite a few of us still above ground and active in several current forums. Its a shame that RCC was taken over by spammers and trolls. You can still read some of the original stuff by searching google for 'rec.collecting.coins'.
It sure is the pits when it goes that way. Thank God for good memories 🙏
It was Eric Tillery, I believe RIP, that was very active on RCC and headed up the defense fund.
I think Eric is still with us unless he passed recently. He was on a FB coin group not long ago but I can't remember which one.
I could be wrong about it being Eric. This guy as an Amateur Radio Operator and I talked to him a few times via HF radio. But names escape me these days. Whole time I was in the Air Force (23 years, 30 years ago) I was always relieved since everyone had to wear a name tag. Without that I'd never know who I was working for or with.