I’ve never really considered myself much of a collector, at least not until I began my career in law enforcement. It all started when I received my first challenge coin from my department, a small gesture that gradually led to a growing collection as I exchanged or was gifted coins from other agencies. Before long, those one or two coins turned into five, ten, and more.
One of my favorites is the “K9 Narcotics” challenge coin I earned while serving with our Highway Interdiction Unit. It holds many great memories from that time.
I recently moved and have been setting things back up. As I went through my collection, it brought back a wave of nostalgia and pride. Eventually, I’d love to expand it further, ideally collecting coins from various military branches and first responder agencies around the country and world.
I’m curious, does anyone else here collect challenge coins or have a collection that’s meaningful to them?
Wow these are all amazing. Honestly, it depends on what I am doing. Typically, I carry a St. Michael the Arch Angel one or a prayer one. However, when I used to do community or speaking events I would show off a few of my favorites and the stories behind them.
Challenge coins are used by many military units as a special token of assignment. Once presented a coin, if a former member claims to have been a member of that unit, as for instance in a service club, veterans’ organization, or officers club bar, failure to present the coin when challenged obliges the claimant to buy a round for the house.
However, over the years they have become special gifts used as a token of honor from many senior leaders and commanders.
See, for instance, the recent video of the USMC Silent Drill Team performing at the WhIte House, after which the President invited them all into the Oval Office to present a President’s Challenge Coin to each Marine.
No, not really, as you understand the “punishment” to a member. It is a brotherhood token with a common ritual. The social concept of stolen valor as a “thing” was not a worry in days when challenge coins were first created.
Side note: Stolen valor is no more a crime than lying that you took top honors in a high school track meet, unless you claim service to make money, like publishing a book with the claim; In normal instances it is just social offense.
I have a collection of US coins and old currency kept in a bank safety deposit box. I’ve been collecting since my childhood days back in the 1950s. Back then silver coins were still in circulation and being minted. Except for the rare coins it wasn’t all that difficult to find coins in circulation that could be put in a collection book for the particular series/run. There was even a local bank that still distributed silver dollars! Those days are long gone. It is extremely difficult to find collectible coins in circulation these days.
