How to Obtain the Lucky Coin from an Alderman
Alright, so this is why Heads or Tales drives people crazy. You can finish basically everything else in Anno 117, check the Hall of Fame, and this one challenge just sits there mocking you. The description sounds simple enough:
“Bestowed with a Lucky Coin from an Alderman, in memory of a hero.”
But the game never explains how that’s supposed to happen.
The problem is that the Lucky Coin isn’t something you craft, buy, or unlock through tech. It only comes from a specific Alderman quest, and that quest doesn’t trigger reliably through normal play. Even with dozens of hours in the campaign, many players never see it naturally, which is why Heads or Tales not triggering is such a common complaint.
This guide breaks down what’s actually going on behind the scenes, explains how Alderman quests work, and shows the most reliable ways to force the Lucky Coin event so you can finally clear the Heads or Tales Hall of Fame challenge and be done with it.
Quick Answer
To complete “Heads or Tales” in Anno 117, you need to receive a Lucky Coin as a quest reward from an Alderman.
That Alderman quest only becomes available once you’ve built a Bird Catcher on an island that currently has an Alderman on it. From there, it’s a random event, so it may not trigger right away. If it doesn’t show up, reloading a save or trying the same setup on another Alderman island usually does the trick.
The moment the Alderman gives you the Lucky Coin, the Heads or Tales Hall of Fame challenge unlocks instantly.
Challenge Requirements Explained
Here’s what the game actually checks for when triggering Heads or Tales in Anno 117:
- Alderman – An Alderman must be present on the same island where the event triggers. Having Aldermen elsewhere doesn’t count.
- Bird Catcher – This building is required to unlock the Alderman quest pool that includes the Lucky Coin event.
- Lucky Coin – The coin must be handed to you directly by an Alderman as a quest reward.
- Quest type – It comes from a small Alderman civic quest, not a main story mission.
- Unlock method – The challenge completes automatically the moment you receive the Lucky Coin.
Important Clarifications
- The Lucky Coin cannot be crafted, bought, traded, or looted anywhere in the game.
- Only Alderman-issued quests can trigger the challenge.
- Regular NPC or faction quests do not count, even if they mention coins or rewards.
Read also: Multiple Ships on Trade Route Not Increasing Capacity (Anno 117)
Step-by-Step Method to Trigger Heads or Tales
1. Confirm Alderman Presence
First, make sure the island actually has an Alderman assigned to it. The Alderman needs to be active on that island specifically — having one on a different island won’t trigger the event.
2. Build a Bird Catcher on That Island
Next, place a Bird Catcher on the same island. This building is what unlocks the Alderman quest pool that can reward the Lucky Coin, so it’s a required step.
3. Monitor Alderman Quests
Keep an eye on your quest notifications. The Lucky Coin comes from a small Alderman civic quest, not a main story mission, so it’s easy to miss if you ignore minor quests.
4. Use Save Reloading if Necessary
If nothing shows up after building the Bird Catcher:
- Save the game
- Reload that save
- Let the game run for a bit so events can refresh
This often forces the Alderman quest to roll again.
5. Repeat on Other Alderman Islands
If the quest still doesn’t trigger:
- Try the same setup on another island with an Alderman
- Build a Bird Catcher there and repeat the process
Because the event is random, switching islands can speed things up.
Read also: Anno 117 Escort Mission Bug – “Can’t Escort Ship” Issue Explained
Tips to Complete the Challenge Faster
- Accept every Alderman quest as soon as it appears. The Lucky Coin comes from a minor Alderman quest, so skipping these can delay the trigger.
- Do not ignore civic or small quests. The relevant quest uses the same notification style and is easy to miss.
- Keep at least one lightly developed island with an Alderman. Fewer active events can make Alderman quests easier to notice.
- Place the Bird Catcher early. Building it sooner gives the game more chances to roll the Lucky Coin event.
- Use manual saves before placing the Bird Catcher. Reloading that save lets you retry the random Alderman quest without rebuilding everything.
Why the Challenge Often Appears Bugged
| Issue | Explanation |
|---|---|
| No visible progress | The challenge has no tracker |
| No tooltip guidance | The Bird Catcher requirement is not explained |
| Random quest system | The event does not trigger on a timer |
| Easy-to-miss quest | Alderman quests use subtle UI prompts |
The challenge is not fully bugged, but relies on undocumented mechanics and random event generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Heads or Tales bugged?
No. The challenge works as intended, but it relies on a random Alderman quest, which makes it feel inconsistent and easy to miss.
Can the Lucky Coin be obtained any other way?
No. The Lucky Coin can only be received as a quest reward from an Alderman.
Does island fertility or production affect the trigger?
No. Production chains, fertility, and island output have no impact. Only Alderman presence and a Bird Catcher matter.
Does the challenge unlock immediately?
Yes. The moment the Alderman gives you the Lucky Coin, the Heads or Tales Hall of Fame challenge completes instantly.
Summary
The Heads or Tales Hall of Fame challenge in Anno 117 requires a specific Alderman quest that is enabled by building a Bird Catcher on an Alderman-occupied island.
Due to its random nature and lack of in-game explanation, it is frequently misunderstood. Following the outlined steps provides the highest chance of triggering the event and completing the challenge.
