| Stormtrooper Coin Softcopy | |
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The pre-production coin shown above played a part in the production process of
the POTF
Stormtrooper coin. This stage of the production process is referred to as
a softcopy or "rubber". A coin begins its life as a plaster sculpting. The image
on the original sculpting is a positive one, meaning it exhibits relief. From
the sculpting a negative image hardcopy stage is cast. Collectors refer to this
as a "stage 1" hardcopy to differentiate it from the similar, but later, tooling
master. The coin softcopy is created using the negative image stage 1 hardcopy,
so the image on the coin is once again returned to a positive images as a result.
The softcopy is a key stage as it represents the piece from which the final tooling
master (stage 2 coin hardcopy) is derived. An exhuastingly comprehensive account
of the entire coin production process is located within the Archive's A
Coin is Born special feature.
Nearly all of the hardcopies and softcopies featured on the Archive are the results of two very significant prototype finds. The first, made in 1997 by Chris Fawcett, yielded the first softcopies known to the collecting community. Although collectors were for some time confused about their role in the coin production process, things were cleared up substantially in 1999, when a collector unearthed another stash of pre-tooling coin prototypes. Included in the find were over 100 pieces. Some were softcopies just like those turned up by Fawcett, but the bulk of the find consisted of negative coin hardcopies. Virtually all of these items--both hardcopies and softcopies-- are one-of-a-kind pieces. Fortunately, along with these fabulous prototypes came considerable information regarding how the coins were made, including details that made the softcopies' purpose apparent for the first time. Stormtrooper and coin enthusiasts alike may find interest in also viewing the Stormtrooper "Stage 1" hardcopy and original plaster sculpt. |
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| Description by: | Ron Salvatore, John J. Alvarez |
| Photo: | Don Raskin |
| From the collection of: | Don Raskin |
| Country: | United States |
| Film: | Power of the Force |
| Licensee: | Kenner |
| Year: | 1985 |
| Category: | Prototypes / Coin |