Lets see your challenge coins

[David LaPell]

Challenge coins have always fascinated me, but I was never in the service but recently one of the guys at work had some made up for our department. So how many here have a challenge coin of their own for either their time in the service or law enforcement?

 

[BE Mike]

Wish I were as an accomplished photographer as you, but here goes:

 

[old bear]

David, your challenge coins are just great looking, but one question what is a challenge coin. Are they just for fun, or they an informal form of I.D?

Thanks.

 

[GTbob]

I am not sure if it's the same with all but..... There are a line of challenge coins from Harley and we use them as such....

You throw yours down on the table and challenge all others to do the same... The one without a challenge coin has to buy the round.....But if everyone has one, then the challenger has to buy!

 

[JJ_BPK]

David, your challenge coins are just great looking, but one question what is a challenge coin. Are they just for fun, or they an informal form of I.D?

Thanks.

Not sure if everyone is one the same page,, But here is the SF explanation and usage.

Special Forces Coin Rules and History

Some coins are serialized or uniquely inscribed. The 1st one has my SFA member ID, M-11313-L. The 5th coin is a church key from A/3/20th SFG(A)..

 

[mtb1bkr]

Here is the one I've most recently aquired!

 

[ogilvyspecial]

Having never been in the Military myself I didn't even know that Challenge Coins existed until April of this year and didn't know what their meaning was until this thread.

In April my son's LTC presented me with one but I won't go into why he thought I rated.
I do know that after I received it I did feel more like part of the "Family."

Here's mine.......

 

[1 old 0311]

Marines didn't use them, then again we didn't put a lot of 'extra'
thing's on our uniforms either. Rank, and awards, that's it.

 

[CH47gunner]

1 old 0311 - Kool avatar, you know that's an Army Chinook right?

Have a few more than this but, this is the one I keep in my pocket (the coin).

Bruce

1st Aviation Brigade

 

[sipowicz]

Here's mine. If you can't eat it, what's the point?

 

[Trooperdan]

Not a challenge coin..

..but I had it handy.

 

[Raider]

They didn't offer grunts in the plain old regular army challenge coins so I didn't get one. I have, however, seen wannabe's show off coins that they bought off Ebay or somewhere. They obviously didn't earn them.

Not saying that our members showing off coins didn't earn theirs. I'm sure that they did.

Just an observation on life, I guess.

Charlie

 

[old bear]

To all of you who displayed your coins and explained the meaning THANKS. It's good to pick up some "guy stuff" info. whenever you can.

If these are only to be awarded or won, so much for my idea of starting a new collection.

 

[BE Mike]

David, your challenge coins are just great looking, but one question what is a challenge coin. Are they just for fun, or they an informal form of I.D?

Thanks.

I got the one from the 101st in a box with a medal in 1969. Back then, I don't think they called them challenge coins. I thought it was neat that the division would do something a little extra. I see now that they are sold on the internet and a person can get a fistful if they want. The USBP challenge coin is self-explanatory. The Border Patrol Air Operations ceased to exist in 2004 and the challenge coins were made up and sent to former employees. I just consider them souvenirs.

 

[CelticSire]

I have, however, seen wannabe's show off coins that they bought off Ebay or somewhere. They obviously didn't earn them.QUOTE]

There's the generic coins bought off any number of auction sites, and then there are the ones that are presented. The presented ones are usually either from a Battalion level commander or higher, or a Command Sergeant Major. I had to laugh the day I walked into a Military Clothing Sales Store and saw Private First Class challenge coins for sale.

I happen to have a number of coins that were presented to me that reside in my jewelry box. I carry this one every day.