Anyone see the segment on NBC about Challenge Coins? UPDATE: *Link added by Texast for those who did

chaze215 · January 14, 2009 9:05AM

Pretty neat and interesting. Anyone here collect them?

NBC: Challenge Coins

291fifth · January 14, 2009 9:06AM

When did this actually begin. I was in the Army in 1970-1 and never heard of them.

Doogy · January 14, 2009 9:07AM

I don't collect them per se, but i have three from units that I was with:

Camp David
31st MEU (SOC)
1st Battalion, 5th Marines

coincollector1989 · January 14, 2009 9:11AM

I have been awarded about fifteen of them. They are alright.

chaze215 · January 14, 2009 9:26AM

<< When did this actually begin. I was in the Army in 1970-1 and never heard of them. >>

Not sure. Maybe one of the other posters can help you out with that info.

CarlWohlforth · January 14, 2009 11:12AM

My wife just yelled for me to join her at the TV. I caught the last few seconds of that segment.

What are Challenge Coins?

Does anybody have any? Can you post some photos?

I'd like to learn more...

21Walker · January 14, 2009 11:32AM

The story said they began in WW 1 and that troupes used to show them to the people whose country they were in that they were Americans.................Rick

MidLifeCrisis · January 14, 2009 12:51PM

Here are some of my challenge coins. I was awarded or given most of these during my 20 years in the military.

cladking · January 14, 2009 1:02PM

They claimed it was a half billion dollar industry but this is a gross
exaggeration.

It's hard to say when these started since they essentially evolved
over many years but a lot of the traditions go back only to the mid-
'80's I believe.

They are a sort of take off on the short snorter of WW II which was
probably preceeded by something else.

MidLifeCrisis · January 14, 2009 1:16PM

<< They claimed it was a half billion dollar industry but this is a gross
exaggeration. >>

On what do you base that assertion?

I did not watch the NBC segment, but I know they are very popular, not only in military units but other government agencies as well.

blu62vette · January 14, 2009 1:21PM

Great collection MidLIfe!!

MidLifeCrisis · January 14, 2009 1:23PM

<< Great collection MidLIfe!! >>

Thanks.

cladking · January 14, 2009 1:26PM

<< 
On what do you base that assertion?
>>

Few are bought and sold. The market is primarily just
making the medals and cost of production is not nearly
so great.

There may be some way of adding it up to reach a half
billion dollars but this would imply they each have a va-
lue independent of fabrication costs.

It's absurd to believe hundreds of millions of these exist.
Even if they did, how many trade each year?

I pick up one once in a while and like the things but it's
usually garage sale or flea market type finds.

cladking · January 14, 2009 1:30PM

MidLifeCrisis;

I hadn't noticed the Eye of Horus in the "intelligence operations" medal in the
4th row 6th over.

I'd be interested in a description of the reverse and the other obverse wording.

Great collection.

MidLifeCrisis · January 14, 2009 1:44PM

<< I hadn't noticed the Eye of Horus in the "intelligence operations" medal in the
4th row 6th over.

I'd be interested in a description of the reverse and the other obverse wording.

Great collection. >>

That one is actually not a military challenge coin. The reverse identifies it as a coin from the Criminal Alien Division of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), Department of Homeland Security. The reverse shows the DHS seal.

The rest of the obverse wording is the phrase "IN LUMINO ADEO LATEO" under the eye (which may mean something like giving light to the shadows or to the hidden). Also, there are the initials DRO, which stand for Detention and Removal Operations.

cladking · January 14, 2009 2:20PM

<< 
That one is actually not a military challenge coin. The reverse identifies it as a coin from the Criminal Alien Division of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), Department of Homeland Security. The reverse shows the DHS seal.

The rest of the obverse wording is the phrase "IN LUMINO ADEO LATEO" under the eye (which may mean something like giving light to the shadows or to the hidden). Also, there are the initials DRO, which stand for Detention and Removal Operations. >>

Very cool.

Thanks.

There's a line from the Pyramid Texts;

1679b. ---------------- he rests alive in the West (or, he is satisfied in living in the West),

1679c. among the Followers of Re‘, who make the way of twilight mount up.

The Eye of Horus is related.

291fifth · January 14, 2009 4:13PM

<< The story said they began in WW 1 and that troupes used to show them to the people whose country they were in that they were Americans.................Rick >>

I don't believe that story. It sounds like a sales pitch to legitimize the modern versions. As I said before, when I was in the Army in 1970-1, I never heard of them.

mbogoman · January 14, 2009 9:52PM

I was awared one for some work I did on an Army software project. I also bought two Special Ops ones at the PX because I thought they were pretty cool.

dsessom · January 14, 2009 10:05PM

I have a few of them as well. They are usually given out by commanders and CSM's as a token of appreciation to their subordinates.

They are usually very well made, highly detailed pieces of brass. I can see why there would be a market for them. Some have historical significance and most are very nice looking.

AnkurJ · January 15, 2009 12:13AM

Look where they are being sold from on ebay:

Challenge Coin

And he has a lot more....

FullStepJeffs · January 15, 2009 12:25AM

I own alot of them... probably have 20 on my desk right now. Unfortunately, I can't get to the pictures to post them.

They really started getting back into these in the mid-80's and have boomed back, especially in the Air Force.

Part of this comes from the fact if you are caught without one in your pocket at a bar, you might end up buying those that have one a round. It's called a coin check.

Many of these are exceedingly rare. Look for the very small unit coins. Most units make them for a very short while, like a few I own are mintages of less than 100 and a couple I own are considered unique since they were the prototype that wasn't used.

I used to buy them from the units I was in and sell them for up to $20+ each on the bay of E. I always started out auctions at cost and there were many bidders a few years ago.

Peace to All from the Middle East! (Yeap, this is my first post since arriving here)

Steve

CarlWohlforth · January 15, 2009 4:05AM

Thanks for the discussion. I appreciate seeing your collection MidLifeCrisis.

I guess some are rare. Mostly they would be a memento of one's work. I certainly would treasure any I received and would proudly keep them. I don't see myself buying them though.

FullStepJeffs said: "Peace to All from the Middle East! (Yeap, this is my first post since arriving here)"

Peace to you too! Stay safe if you can.

thebeav · January 15, 2009 4:24AM

Stare into the eye of Horus....
You're getting sleepy........

koynekwest · January 15, 2009 6:17AM

<< When did this actually begin. I was in the Army in 1970-1 and never heard of them. >>

Same here (1969-1972.) And I was into coins during that time, too. Anyone know where they can be obtained-other than the Chinese guy, that is?

koynekwest · January 15, 2009 6:43AM

Found a bunch on ebay. Even some from domestic sellers! Neat items-I think I'll bid on a few.

mrpaseo · January 15, 2009 7:09AM

As most Soldiers can say, "I have a collection of these". I have come to know them as "Commanders coins of Excellence". Here is my take on them.

The lowest authorized award for a Soldier (Army) is the Army Achievement Medal (AAM). These medals as all medals require paperwork, signatures and time to get the authorization, and then they must be presented (Usually in a formation). When a commander identifies a Soldier in passing going above and beyond the call of duty, these commanders coin of excellence is a step up from a hand shake or "Good Job" and a step below the labor intense AAM. These are a tool to identify a Soldiers hard work on the spot. As mentioned they are usually given by Battalion commanders and above as well as Command Sergeants Major and above. As a matter of fact, I received one today as we closed out our latest deployment in a ceremony today. Each Soldier received a Commanders Coin of Excellence from our Battalion commander. Over the past 15 month deployment I received two coins (Both for the same action by two different Command Sergeants Majors). I volunteered to run a Pre-Warrior Leaders course for the Soldiers in my unit. The Warrior Leaders course is the school that we send Soldiers to prepare them to be Sergeants. This is the first step in their future of leadership and is probably the most important school in our career. This school is much like the step from adolescence to adulthood when you take charge of your own life, start making decisions and are responsible for your own actions though in the Military, as a Sergeant you are responsible for the actions of your Soldiers.

I don't have an accurate count but I believe I have about 30 of these coins at the present time. The highest was awarded by a one star General (BG Patrayus) in Mosul Iraq in 2004. The General want around to all of theater and handed each Soldier on the Battlefield a coin himself. This meant a lot to many Soldiers as most Generals are never seen on the front lines.

mrpaseo · January 15, 2009 7:16AM

Additional note: These are sometimes used as mentioned above to challenge your buddies to buy a round of drinks. How it works is the first Soldier will pull out his/her coin and drop it on the table/floor. At this point everyone in the group must produce a coin and drop it on the table. If you are the one with no coin... your buying. I know what your thinking, your wondering, "Well what if everyone has a coin" good question. If all Soldiers have a coin then the person with the lowest rank on the coin buys the round.

cladking · January 15, 2009 7:28AM

Thanks for the info Mrpaseo.

<< 
Same here (1969-1972.) And I was into coins during that time, too. Anyone know where they can be obtained-other than the Chinese guy, that is? >>

I have some similar type stuff going back into the '70's but
they are only similar and so far as I know were just intended
as tokens to commemmorate service.

The shortsnorters were currency that was signed by anyone
you could get and the individual without one bought the
round. These go back at least to WW II. Most of those I've
seen were used in the Pacific theater.

MidLifeCrisis · January 15, 2009 7:32AM

<< Additional note: These are sometimes used as mentioned above to challenge your buddies to buy a round of drinks. How it works is the first Soldier will pull out his/her coin and drop it on the table/floor. At this point everyone in the group must produce a coin and drop it on the table. If you are the one with no coin... your buying. I know what your thinking, your wondering, "Well what if everyone has a coin" good question. If all Soldiers have a coin then the person with the lowest rank on the coin buys the round. >>

Thanks for your detailed explanation of the significance and use of these coins, mrpaseo.

But...if all of the soldiers in the group have a coin, then the one who initially challenged them has to buy a round. At least, that's the way I learned the tradition.

Texast · January 15, 2009 8:04AM

Ok for those that missed it, here is a YouTube video of the story I just put up NBC News Challenge Coin Story
I do have one, I got it from Colin Powell when he was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs - My Son has a bunch from Iraq, I've yet to check out.

Enjoy the video.........

Tim

coindeuce · January 15, 2009 8:16AM

I believe that the challenge coin custom was initiated at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Each year, graduating cadets are by custom required to obtain a U.S. silver dollar before the graduation ceremony. The first commissioned officer to salute the graduate after the ceremony is to be presented with the silver dollar. The challenge coins are an extension and a variation of that custom, and are usually topical medallions relating to the unit of the serviceman, rather than coins.

BRdude · January 15, 2009 8:56AM

http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s64/BRdude_photos/

These are the Command Coins left by the soldiers who attended Michaels services in Balad on 8-22. There is a 4 star and 3 star Generals amoung others. His unit was attached to Task Force 34, and his unit is the Jokers Wild, 2-149th gSAB. A sad colllection indeed, but I was dam proud to recieve them.

CoinGuy42 · January 15, 2009 10:31AM

I have 30 years (thus far) of active duty Naval service and have collected challenge coins for years. I have grown to cherish my collection. I have one from each submarine I've served on, each ship I've worked with, and each special event I've attended. They range from a Ronald Regan coin, Secretary of the Navy, to my first submarine. The Lt COl in the NBC news story was right....you go through your coins and you re-visit your career.

MidLifeCrisis · January 15, 2009 10:34AM

<< ....you go through your coins and you re-visit your career. >>

So true. My coins are displayed on a cabinet in my office for my own enjoyment and memories.

MidLifeCrisis · January 15, 2009 10:35AM

<< http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s64/BRdude_photos/

These are the Command Coins left by the soldiers who attended Michaels services in Balad on 8-22. There is a 4 star and 3 star Generals amoung others. His unit was attached to Task Force 34, and his unit is the Jokers Wild, 2-149th gSAB. A sad colllection indeed, but I was dam proud to recieve them. >>

I wanted to reply to this earlier but did not know what to say....and I still don't.

The only thing I can think of in response is

BRdude · January 15, 2009 11:41AM

I also sincerely thank BECOCA for the fine photo's

mrpaseo · January 16, 2009 5:32AM

<< 

<< Additional note: These are sometimes used as mentioned above to challenge your buddies to buy a round of drinks. How it works is the first Soldier will pull out his/her coin and drop it on the table/floor. At this point everyone in the group must produce a coin and drop it on the table. If you are the one with no coin... your buying. I know what your thinking, your wondering, "Well what if everyone has a coin" good question. If all Soldiers have a coin then the person with the lowest rank on the coin buys the round. >>

Thanks for your detailed explanation of the significance and use of these coins, mrpaseo.

But...if all of the soldiers in the group have a coin, then the one who initially challenged them has to buy a round. At least, that's the way I learned the tradition.

>>

MLC, I do believe you are correct in this matter, I believe that is how the tradition works. Thank you for the correction.

v/r,
Ray

WillieBoyd2 · January 26, 2009 6:13AM

I didn't notice this thread when I posted my question about military challenge coins at:
http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=26&threadid=701718
I should have done a search before putting up the separate post.

I did watch the MSNBC / NBC News television show on January 14 2009 which claimed that
challenge coins dated back to World War I.

I am still wondering if they are really as old as that or are a recent product development.
I have yet to see an example from before the 1980's.

The NBC News report also showed a "special handshake", which looked like a "secret handshake"
used by fraternal groups.

intence · January 26, 2009 6:15AM

<< Here are some of my challenge coins. I was awarded or given most of these during my 20 years in the military.

>>

thats awesome

Anyone see the segment on NBC about Challenge Coins? UPDATE: *Link added by Texast for those who did

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