The system of providing Challenge coins started in military during World War I. Today, many organizations and groups provide these coins to its members. Such a coin is a small medal or coin with an emblem of an organization it represents. Members of the organization produce the coin to assert their identity and membership. Marine challenge coins are held in great esteem.

Many fables are associated with the origin of the challenge-coins. The most popular one is the story associated with an American pilot who braved great odds of war and returned to his group. It is known that the young pilot managed to convince his French enemies his identity showing a challenge coin. After his return the rich pilot distributed challenge-coins to every one in his regiment. This incident happened during First World War.

Marine challenge coins stand for membership, support and patronage of the holder of the coin. Special coins are minted by the commanders to honor members for exceptional work. They are a great moral booster and are considered to be a highly respected and esteemed honor. It improves individual and team spirit. Officers get shifted as their careers advance. During such occasions they bore with them the custom of awarding a unit coin for tasks worthy of recognition, but not have enough value to present the soldiers act for an official medal. Such recognitions and appreciations were accepted with pride.

Marine challenge coins are growing fast in marine departments. Besides boosting the moral of officers, it builds a strong bond between each other. These coins are cherished and valued by the officers even after they leave the service. As a statute, rules regarding challenge-coins forbid defacing the coin. Some disfigure a coin to make it easy to take. If the coin is linked to a belt buckle or key ring, or if a hole is drilled into it in order to connect something, the coin isn't considered to be a custom coin.

These coins take a deliberate effort to carry at all times. It was expected to be carried in a pouch or case. Some unit laws specially prohibit carrying a challenge coin in a wallet. All these factors make it difficult to carry them with you always. Undoubtedly, these little coins are an effective way of showing appreciation and boosting moral. They symbolize unity, solidarity and team spirit for all who bear them.

In spite of how they are required, the history of the challenge-coin stays a part of military tradition. Marines will display them proudly for years to come.

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People in the military expect to work hard, and some of them go that extra mile beyond the high expectations they are already expected to live up to. In some cases, a soldier's efficiency, productivity, or an act of bravery is considered exceptional, and they are properly thanked by their superiors, sometimes with a handshake and a verbal expression of thanks, and sometimes with a special certificate of appreciation. But military coins are another way that soldiers may be thanked for their exceptional dedication to their work, and these irreplaceable coins carry very special meaning. When a soldier comes home from deployment, he or she often has challenge coins together with a collection of most prized possessions, including photographs, dog tags, and wedding rings.

Military challenge coins come in many different shapes, colors, and sizes, and they are often personalized to represent the unique situation in which it is being presented. Many soldiers carry their challenge coins with them everywhere, including the shower! The ways in which leaders design their coins varies. For example, one command sergeant obtains a regular battalion coin representing his particular battalion, as well as a personal coin that has his name and rank engraved on it. When he presents his personal coin to you, it symbolizes a personal expression of thanks from a leader to one of his soldiers for their hard work.

But you don't have to be an officer or a leader to obtain and give military coins. A soldier can, for example, obtain coins from the Post Exchange and award them to fellow soldiers for specific actions or deeds. In general, the more unique the coin, the more valuable it is, though even a mass-produced coin bought in the PX can have a world of meaning to the recipient, depending on the situation in which it is given. And challenge coins aren't necessarily given within a chain of command. Sometimes someone in one chain of command who interacts regularly with someone in another may wish to recognize that person's contributions and does so with a challenge coin. These can be very meaningful as well.

But though coins may represent serious situations, they are often part of more relaxed traditions too. Sometimes coins are used to "challenge" a fellow soldier. If, for instance soldiers are out together and one has a challenge coin, he may challenge the other soldiers to produce their coin then and there. Whoever doesn't produce one has to buy a round of drinks. Or, if one soldier challenges another with a coin and the challenged soldier produces his coin, the original challenger has to buy the drinks.

The coins and the traditions that have grown up around them in the military all go back to the acknowledgement of having shared a common bond as soldiers, and the commemoration of special events and situations where hard work and perseverance made a difference. For those reasons, military personnel generally cherish the challenge coins they've been awarded as some of their most precious possessions.

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Many service members returning from overseas deployment in a combat zone receive challenge coins; these coins commemorate their service to this country, whether it's from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard. Coins are typically 1.5" in diameter and struck with the insignia of the service, and some motto or slogan for their time in service and the specific unit they served in.

The custom of challenge coins originated at the end of the First World War. Most people who get these coins are handed them in a handshake, very discretely, usually when they're mustered out to head home. While the coins serve as poignant mementos of serving overseas, in stressful conditions, and often under live enemy fire, they are also shrouded in custom.

Service members from the same unit may issue a challenge in a bar; the person who cannot produce a challenge coin has to pay for the next round of drinks. For service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice, a challenge coin is usually presented to their nearest living relative, along with other reminders of their service.

Sometimes, challenge coins are issued to units after they've been 'in the sandbox' for a while; these coins are used to help bond unit members together - holding a lucky talisman for all members of the unit. Or they're used as a way to show that your unit is better than another unit that doesn't have them. Either way, there are strong traditions surrounding challenge coins, and the people who receive them cherish them, and will show them to their children and grandchildren.

Most challenge coins are struck from brass or bronze, a few are struck from nickel. Many have enameled frontspieces colored in the hues of the service and unit being commemorated. Typically, coins are struck in lots of a couple of thousand, and are paid for by donations to the unit, which then buys a new batch for members before they rotate home. Depending on the unit served with, it may have the unit insignia, a silhouette of a ship (for a Naval service challenge coin) or a picture of the type of aircraft flown or vehicle commanded.

Challenge coins are a simple and subtle way to showcase the duty and honor of America's service men and women. There are places where you can make contributions to help fund challenge coins given to service members, and there are places where replacement challenge coins can be purchased.


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Challenge coins have not been around for that long, though legend dates them back to the introduction of air combat in World War I. While some experts on challenge coins have examples from the 1950s, they really made their first ascent in military culture in the 1980s with Special Forces troops. Since the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, however, they have spilled over from the military to military-related governmental agencies, non-military government agencies, the corporate world, and even into general interest organizations.

Challenge coins are specially-made coins that are inscribed with the name of an organization, an event, a mission, or some other meaningful insignia. They are given to people in honor of accomplishments and are generally deeply cherished by those receiving them. To those with particular coins, they serve as a symbol of solidarity and a reminder of the people and the event or organization associated with the coin.

To soldiers returning home from war, whether their deployment has ended or whether they are injured or killed in combat, challenge coins are considered to be among their most important possessions, ranking with wedding rings and dog tags in importance. A soldier's friends know that if a fellow soldier is killed or injured and must be sent home, that they should make every effort to see that the soldier's coins make the trip home with them.

Military coins are not the only ones, however. Many governmental agencies such as the Department of Defense mint their own challenge coin, as do governmental agencies which are only obliquely or not at all associated with the military. For example, the United States Department of Agriculture mints coins that are typically given to police, firefighters, or other first responders who display dedication or heroism. A number of Congressional representatives and high-ranking governmental workers mint their own coins and may, for example, hand them out to troops returning home to their Congressional districts.

Custom challenge coins are also seen in the corporate world. While the circumstances surrounding the giving and receiving of coins in the corporate realm are different than the combat situations where the coins originated, they are generally used to signify superb dedication or significant accomplishments. Discovering the trend, service clubs and general interest organizations have adopted them as well, to honor those who have made certain achievements or who have stood out in some way.

The carrying of challenge coins has become a point of pride for those presented with them. A tradition of "challenging" someone with a coin has become a goodwill gesture all over the world, with the presentation of a coin upon being challenged seen as a sign of comradeship and a certain connection with other coin holders. Often, in "challenge" situations, the person with the most significant coin will be treated in some way, to a free beer, for example. In other variations, the challenged person who doesn't produce a coin has to buy a round.

The Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Reserves, and National Guard all have challenge coins. Because they have come be regarded as prized possessions - all the more so for being worn and dirty from being carried around - these coins have quietly become a symbol of pride and remembrance for people in military, and increasingly in other groups.

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Police challenge coins are small medallions that usually carry the emblem or insignia of a specific law enforcement's unit. Carried by most police officials, the coins are designed to enhance morale and honor those who serve. While the coins exact origins are unconfirmed, it is thought the challenge coin has military beginnings. Military records dating back hundreds of years show the coins were given to soldiers as a memento, to mark a person's service to their country. Several presidents have also received challenge coins, with the most recent being George. W. Bush for his 2007 visit to troops in Iraq.

Police coins come in a variety of different sizes, shapes and designs. Each individual law enforcement unit usually has a coin designed to their own specifications. The coins often have a bronze, silver or gold finish, as well as painted detailing. Why and how the police coins are awarded is usually down to each specific unit. However, it is common practice for an officer to receive a challenge coin after receiving two letters of recommendation following an act of bravery or good deed. These coins are also issued to commemorate a special occasion or to remember officers who have been killed in the line of duty. The coin is seen by many government officials as being a good way to improve relations between officers and the general public, as well as improve PR between the police agencies and other areas of the community. Special challenge coins have been known to raise important funds for charities linked to improving the lives of police officers injured while working.

Members of the public are also able to purchase police challenge coins, with the proceeds going to one of the many charities associated with the individual law enforcement unit. As well as looking after the families of fallen officers and helping injured officers, these coins also help charities linked to improving the general working life of a serving officer. This may include purchasing essential pieces of uniform, improving office space and funding social events for the officers in their down time. These coins are also given to new officers, as a way of marking the end of their training and introduction into their specific police unit.

People can also purchase police coins, as a way of showing their support for the many individuals who work to keep their city safe. Highly collectible, it is not unusual for these coins to be sold at auctions or kept in a person's private collection. President Obama placed the Presidential Challenge Coin on the memorials of the soldiers who were killed during the Fort Hood massacre.. The most sought after coin by collectors is the Bulldog coin, which was given to the gunners of the B-52. Law enforcement officers who own a challenge coin are encouraged to carry it at all times. There are several rules associated with owning one of these coins, the most important being it cannot be defaced in any way. Many individuals drill holes into the coins, so they can wear them on necklaces or lanyards. They are often completely unaware that defacing them in this way means they are no longer considered to be challenge coins.

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I find it amazing that the interest and popularity of challenge coins and challenge coin displays keeps rising. I get many questions about military challenge coins so I have decided to gather some valuable tips for you.

The most popular challenge coins are navy challenge coins, marine corps challenge coins, army challenge coins, air force challenge coins and police challenge coins. Which one do you prefer?

Challenge coins are more precious than one can imagine - they usually worth a couple of bucks, but they have a sentimental value no one can evaluate. That's way; you must protect your military challenge coins by using a challenge coin display case.

Buy a challenge coin display that totally answers your needs:

1. One that will make you proud of your challenge coins collection - Some have dozens of challenge coins from navy challenge coin, marine corps challenge coins and army challenge coin to air force challenge coins and police challenge coins. A collection like this could be really impressive.

2. One that will fully protect your challenge coins - Most of the challenge coin display cases have a plastic capsule for each individual coin.

I find the military challenge coins a bit magical. Did you know that no one can point exactly when the first challenge coin was made? Some say that the first one is date to World War 1. Others say that the first military challenge coin is from the Vietnam War.

I believe that people are just starting now to understand the real value of challenge coins. A good investment would be purchasing as many different challenge coins as you can. They are going to be an expensive collectible item in a few years.

But one should remember that a challenge coin represents values before everything - support to the organization minted on the coin whether it is a navy challenge coin, marine corps challenge coin or any other organization.

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Challenge coins have become increasingly popular not just in America where they originated from, but throughout the world as a sign of solidarity amongst organisations. Normally made from bronze for the military, they have also been known to be made of other materials when used for different organisations such as Scout groups or sport teams.

The Challenge coins are made to represent a team effort and it's something the owner can have and carry with a sense of pride and belonging. Usually, they have the logo or insignia of the organisation on them and with a lot of companies offering to produce these coins at a reasonable price, there are always organisations looking to commission the making of these coins.

For military personal the Challenge coins are a very valued and an honourable coin to have with people all over the world collecting them as a hobby, the mere fact that some of them date back to the First World War gives them a history of their own.

Police Forces and Fire Departments also give these Challenge coins to their members for dedication and service to their department and are carried with a great feeling of honor.

As well as the American Forces it is also now known that the Canadian Forces have also followed the American Forces with the tradition of the giving of these coins. It is also known that American Officers introduced these coins into the Swiss Armed Forces whilst on training missions although within the Swiss Armed Forces the coins are requested and paid for by the Swiss Officers and not issued.

Prices for these coins can vary but many are produced in South Korea because of the connection with the American military bases and of course the costs are cheaper than when produced in America.

Challenge Coins are perfect for any collector. If you're interested in these types of coins, including military coins, make sure to visit www.lapelpinscn.com. They offer all types of coins, including military challenge coins.

There is many an elderly ex soldier walking around today still with their challenge coins safely tucked into their wallet, they say old habits die hard and this is true of these coins. For in years gone by it was always considered imperative that a soldier always carried his challenge coins, whether it be in his pocket, wallet or simply worn around his neck in a leather pouch.

Soldiers carried these coins as a symbol of unity within their regiment, their pride at having been honoured in being awarded the coin, whether it is for simply belonging and being an active member of their squadron or for an act of sheer courage and bravery, the reason was not important the fact that they had been given the coin was important.

It is said that one young soldier owed his life to one of these challenge coins when unable to prove that he was not a German soldier but in fact an American soldier, with his fate set on his execution he was finally believed when he produced his challenge coin with his squadron insignia emblazoned onto it.

This is just one of the reasons why it is important that every soldier carries his coin or coins with him as they can be awarded more than one coin, indeed many a soldier from previous wars have a collection of challenge coins from various missions and battles they encountered and will mean the same to them as any medal that they may have been awarded for bravery as well.

Whatever the reason for being awarded the coins, you can be sure that soldiers will cherish and keep their coins until their dying day, when, it has been known, they have them been passed down the family to younger members to keep and value just as much.

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Special Forces Challenge Coins Recognize the Performance of an Elite Group


The Special Forces are specialists in their field and are often given the Special Forces Challenge Coin in recognition for their expertise and dedication. The coins are manufactured in various sizes, shapes, designs and are similar to challenge coins given to other members of the military except there is an even deeper meaning for those who receive them.

The Special Forces challenge coins are given to military members who provide numerous services including hostage rescue, counter-terrorism operations, surveillance and recovery of military information in hostile situations and demolition missions. In addition to the risk that is experienced by members of the military on regular missions, the elite members that perform high-risk missions are honored for their contributions with these coins.

Special Operations Units

Army Rangers, Green Berets and Delta Force, the Navy SEALS, the Marine's Force Recon and Scout Snipers and the Air Force's Pararescuemen are just a few of the special operations units of the military. Special Forces provide their services during peace and wartime. As a way of honoring their unique talents and the 'behind the scenes' duties that are performed, Special Forces challenge coins are given.

Representing a Bond

The coins represent much more than belonging to a particular group. Because these members often work very closely and have to rely on each other in areas where total isolation is necessary, they develop a special bond. This bond quite frequently extends to their personal life long after their military service is completed. The coins received may contain anything that has a special meaning to the members of the group. This includes text or an insignia representing their branch of the military.

They may also include a motto or other saying that is specific to the group. One type is the Green Beret challenge coin. It features a green beret, a sword and the words, "De Oppresso Liber" at the top and "Liberate from Oppression" at the bottom. Another type includes 'U.S. Army Special Forces" on the coin. There are older vintage Special Forces challenge coins that are highly regarded by collectors. They are made from silver and bronze.

The coins may also contain emblems and the words, "Duty, Honor, Country and Proudly Served." Others have theU.S.flag and an eagle. The coins can vary according to the preference of the person who is having them made. Their main objective is to convey the camaraderie among the members of the group and to commemorate the time shared and missions accomplished.

The Special Forces challenge coin is one of the most highly regarded coins of members of the military. Those who receive these coins are courageous, dedicated to serving their country and committed to protecting the safety of the U.S.as well as their fellow members. Family members preserve the coins and their meaning to hand down from one generation to the next as a symbol of the bravery of grandfathers, fathers, sons and uncles.


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