The Mystery Coin?

joeykoins

Just got through watching the evening news. What I viewed was President Biden, while in Rome, handed the Pope a coin. Any guesses what coin it was? It was in Biden's closed hand which he handed it to the Pope's hand, than he closed his hand. No Box or any presentation of the coin. I'm guessing it was some sort of Catholic based coin? Maybe, even a coin with the portrait of the Pope himself? What about you guys? Please, let's not make this thread political or religious. Thanks guys.
Maybe, it was a coin similar to this one?

braddick

You mention the Pope and our President.
You also mention the possibility of it being a Catholic medallion.

Yet... with all of this, WE are to keep this non-political and non-religious?

That's a tall order.

braddick

To answer your question, though:
President Joe Biden gave Pope Francis a profoundly personal challenge coin during his trip to the Vatican on Friday, marking the gift with a moment of light-heartedness that nods to a long tradition in the US military.

In video footage provided by Vatican Television, the two men were seen exchanging several gifts, including a challenge coin -- historically collectible pieces of recognition that originated in the military.

Biden said the coin he handed Francis included insignia of the 261st Signal Brigade unit in the Delaware Army National Guard, the team in which the President's son, Beau Biden, served as a captain.

"With your permission, I'd like to be able to give you a coin. It has a US seal on the front, but what's different with this coin, usually -- I know my son would want me to give this to you because on the back of it, I have the state of Delaware and the 261st unit my son served on," Biden said, handing the Pope the large gold coin.

joeykoins

Lol. The "Coin", the "Coin". Let's just focus on what coin it might of been? Thanks.
Any guess?

jmlanzaf

It was probably his "if found, please return to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue" medallion.

[We'll never get him back now. ]

joeykoins

Oh? Was that truly the coin? Thanks

JBK

Challenge coin, as mentioned above.

Or maybe he tried to unload one of his scruffy 2021 D Morgan Dollars that he got this week.

joeykoins

Yeah, the President told him, "see what you can do with this. It's damaged,I don't want it."

CoinHoarder

Hey Joey,

That's a really cool "shell casing" cent ya got there.

scotty4449

I think it was this.

petespockets55

Yes, a very personal coin to the president. The coin had the US Seal on the front and the emblem for the 261st Signal Brigade unit in the Delaware Army National Guard which is his deceased son's unit.

From Yahoo News:
"I'm not sure if this is appropriate, but there's a tradition in America," Biden began, speaking with the Pope through a translator. "The president has what is called a 'command coin' that he gives to warriors and leaders."

"And you are the most significant warrior for peace I've ever met," he told the Pope. "And with your permission, I'd like to be able to give you a coin."

ricko

I am sure the significance of the Pope handling the 'coin', meant much more to the President than it ever will to the Pope. This was a personal issue. Cheers, RickO

WillieBoyd2

There are pictures of the coin on another coin forum.

One side has the traditional presidential seal and the other side has a map of Delaware with the legend "261st".