CHALLENGE COINS

[OLDNAVYMCPO]

For those of you who are not aware of this item, in the military, it is traditional for each command to have a commemorative coin produced representing the command. Each is decidedly different, usually of enameled brass and the size of a Morgan silver dollar. They are used as a souvenir or as a reward in recognition of performance of duty. They are quite collectible, particularly the ones from decommissioned commands or Spec Op units. At one time, I had about thirty of them. My house was burglarized about eight years ago and they were stolen.

Anyway, I'm watching the news on TV. POTUS is behind his desk in the oval office. Over his right shoulder in the background is a rack of about forty challenge coins, no doubt picked-up at various military commands. No big deal, I just thought that it was a neat decor feature.

 

[DWalt]

I have a small drawer full of them, never understood their purpose, just customary to give them out I suppose. I got most of mine for putting on various training programs at locations around the Air Force. They also exist for military organizations below the command level.

 

[DeathGrip]

Thanks, I wondered what those were.

 

[carpriver]

Challenge coins are after my time in service. I think they became the big thing in the 1990's. From what I understand is if you were in the NCO or Officers clubs and some call for a challenge and you didn't have a your coin you paid for the round.

 

[Targets Guy]

For those of you who are not aware of this item, in the military, it is traditional for each command to have a commemorative coin produced representing the command. Each is decidedly different, usually of enameled brass and the size of a Morgan silver dollar. They are used as a souvenir or as a reward in recognition of performance of duty. They are quite collectible, particularly the ones from decommissioned commands or Spec Op units. At one time, I had about thirty of them. My house was burglarized about eight years ago and they were stolen.

Anyway, I'm watching the news on TV. POTUS is behind his desk in the oval office. Over his right shoulder in the background is a rack of about forty challenge coins, no doubt picked-up at various military commands. No big deal, I just thought that it was a neat decor feature.

I noticed those today as well.

Some from my collection

image upload

 

[Jessie]

I've heard of them but I guess I never earned one. Maybe after my time too.
Thanks for the post
We've done similar with different fire departments and when I was flying, it was common to trade wings with Russian flight crews we met in different places.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Many Fire and Police unit/departments use the also.

Ivan

 

[DWalt]

When I was in HQ AETC CE, we had some challenge coins made up to make some money by selling them to those of us who worked there. I don't remember the price. I also don't know who designed them but they were so crude no one wanted to buy them.

 

[Dobie406]

I have a sack full of coins from my 20 yrs, some are meaningless, some were appreciated as a tangible atta-boy for a recognized effort.

 

[Muley Gil]

I picked up about a dozen while I was in Afghanistan. My fellow police advisors designed one that we handed out. Somewhere I have pictures. If I can't find the pics, I'll get out one of the coins and make some new pictures.

 

[Shark Bait]

Now everyone, even the Forest Service, has coins. In my active duty days in the early 80's (before they became all the rage) these coins were mainly in special operations units and were nothing fancy. Usually brass with no added color. This is my earliest that survived, from 1985. I had an earlier one, but tossed it in the shower at SCUBA school to coin check some classmates. It went down the drain and I had to find a replacement quickly. At the time, a 50 cent piece was acceptable for a temporary coin because JFK was on it and he was a huge supporter of Army Special Forces.

 

[MORSNO]

The numbered Commanders coins are some of my most appreciated coins. The number on the coin is logged in a Commanders book accounting for who has each one. The general operation coins were sold as fundraisers and to me look nice, but have no sentimental value for a job well done. I have mine (a couple dozen) displayed on a wooden rack hanging on the wall.

When I was stationed in Germany in the mid 80's we carried a 1 pfenning coin as a challenge coin....or buy a round of drinks!

 

[okiegtrider]

Picked up this one a while back. TXDPS some first class coppers.

 

[JayFramer]

At my unit if you don't have an "RMO" (Round Metal Object) aka a challenge coin, you have to take a shot at the bar, OUR bar (we have one in the break room). It's usally gross like tequila or whiskey mixed with pickle juice or canned oysters!

 

[retiredbadge8091]

My department put out a couple of different challenge coins. I pick others up as trading stock. I have a couple right now on another site for sale... I'll post a couple of pics here later.

 

[HKB]

It started as an Army Special Forces gut check kind of thing. If you are challenged in a bar and can't produce your coin then you buy a round. I always carried my coin for such occasions. At some point it took off, lost a little manhood to the point that everyone has one.

 

[chaparrito]

At first those Texas coins appear to be TSA coins

 

[Shark Bait]

This one is cool just for what it is. Remember "A Few Good Men"?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Here's the SWCA challenge coin from the Baton Rouge Symposium. I presume there will be one for Charlotte.

 

[HKB]

I feel like I've just been coined. Besides the unit coins I always appreciated getting one from someone that made an impact on military history. Here is a coin from Melvin Wick when he was the CSM of Special Operations Command, he was also the first Sergeant Major for Delta Force and spent sixteen years with them.