I'm not much for using Bear Coins to date vintage Bear Bows because they are just not reliable 100 percent of the time; e.g., anyone could have put any coin in any bow at any time before the bow left the Bear Factory or after the bow left the factory.

However, last year I did try to organize some of the loose Bear Coins & medallions that have been lying around here for years collecting dust, getting misplaced, getting put back in bows, and being drooled over by visitors trying to buy or trade for them.

Figured it would be best to get them in a permanent display, so created a template, attached the coins with a little Barge cement, attached a double mat, and put them in a frame behind glass.
 
Hiding around here somewhere is one of those less than flattering Fred Bear Bust coins, I know it will turn up someday, so I left an empty spot for it... May have unknowingly omitted some other obscure coin or medallion used in a Bear bow, e.g., that crazy RMEF medallion, which is around here somewhere, but just doesn't seem to look right or be appropriate for this display.

Top two rows are authentic Bear medallions. Bottom row is reproductions to enable visitors to see the differences.

             

Nice

Thanks Rick -

Just can not seem to get a clear photographic image of it. Even this scan is dark and out of focus. May have to take the glass off the frame or take it outside in the sunlight, or both.

 

Very Nicely done Mr. Phillips!

Great creative thinking which actually makes a very nice display and would go well with any individuals archery collection.......
Big Thumbs Up for the idea.          
Coming up with the coins could present a bit of difficulty but worth the pursuit!

Larry -

Some of the items are pretty common. Others might be difficult to locate. A couple can be confusing to identify.

If you need some help, let me know.

Very nice display.  

Thanks for sharing

I think I have a whopping two of them Wade... Need  to have some more bows put in the mail that get broken in half to work on the collection a bit.

As the saying goes, "plagiarism is the best form of flattery". (to my way of thinking) Great idea and one I can spend a bit of future time on to keep me busy!!!

Keep your informative post's coming as they are appreciated. Certainly on my part!!

Thanks mr phillips for all the information

Very nice Wade! Beautiful display!

All mine are in bows!    

Would you be willing to make your template available? Though I dont have the physical coins to do what you did, It might make an interesting display if I put photos of my coins in the bows in the space provided. Doing photos, I could also do the Grumley stamp and sig. A similar thing could done with the Bear sticker/silk screen though I admit, it wouldnt be as nice as the physical coins.

Wade, looks like you finally did something with all that loose "change" you had lying around.

Great Idea and Great Display!!!!!!

The "Freddie Kruger" coin shouldn't be hard to find. I know a lot of people popped them out and replaced them with better looking coins.

Trap -

That loose change didn't seem to be of much value for much other than a little display.

Couldn't use it in the parking meters here in town (legally) or the phone booths (not that I could find one). Would never consider passing it off as legitimate change in a transaction with a local vendor.

I agree with your assment that "The "Freddie Kruger" coin shouldn't be hard to find".

Would guess that most who have one in a bow would rather have a vintage coin in that bow.

Thanks for sharing the display. It's very cool.

Thanks Wade. could you explain the crazy RMEF medallion comment, never heard of that.

QuoteOriginally posted by Horney Toad:
Thanks Wade. could you explain the crazy RMEF medallion comment, never heard of that.

RMEF - Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

About 2002 a friend at Bear sent me an oversize RMEF medallion with no explanation. I thought it was just a joke. Turns out in the first decade of the 2000s, Bear used them in one model bow I don't collect, apparently as a join promotion.

I don't own a bow made in this century, so can't speak with any real knowledge or experience with these coins in actual Bear bows. Would guess that is the case with many of us who collect vintage Bear stuff, shoot and hunt with it.

When folks ask me something, I have no real knowledge of, I think of one of my lifelong idol's comments that my Father often repeated ...

"Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects." - Will Rogers

Might be a good reminder for all of us.

Very nice display.  I've been shooting these old bears since 1975 and have learned more here in the last month than the last 42 years.  Thanks for all the valuable info.  

Tony

Excellent idea and a great job of carrying it out!
As a vintage Bear collector (albeit a small collection) I can sure appreciate the value in what you've done. Good luck on finding the "Freddie Krueger".

Was just given a Fred Bear Bust coin, the AKA "Freddie Krueger" and added it to the display.

May have to re-do the template as was also given two additional items which are just laid on the template...

Guess it is past time to ask what other items do others have or know of that exist...


   

Wade,very nice work, sir! That completed the circle!

I'm in need of a plastic domed coin for a bear Black bear I have that is missing the coin. How do I go about getting my hands on one? Ive checked **** but I can only find reproductions.