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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Quality Challenge Coins creates coins for Navy departments and many other civilian organizations. Navy Challenge coins are terrific for raising morale and building a bond between officers. Our United States Army challenge coins and USMC challenge coins make a great gift. The Navy Challenge Coin design is covered with a protective finish for long lasting good looks.

This coin size of 38.1mm one big eagle in the center, words:"E PLURIBUS UNUM". Means Unites States is the whole nation. Technology of soft enamel, with color red and black.The coin is die struck lapel pin, it's very alive and clear, eagle's left claw catch hold of leaves and right with many spears. Here is the Navy lapel pins. Best wishes for all of our Navy soldiers.

Air Force challenge coins have been called military coins, unit coins, commander's coins and a variety of other names. The reasoning behind calling them challenge coins is due to the rules that follow the coin.

According to one interpretation of these rules, if a group of military members - from any of the armed services - goes out together one person can call for a 'coin check.' The group must be within arms reach of each other. If everyone has their coin, the person who challenged the group to show their coins must buy drinks for everyone. If one person cannot produce their coin, they must buy for everyone.

Other rules are recognized for the Air Force challenge coins as well. The challenge can be made by one member to another by tapping their coin on the bar or a table or showing it to everyone in the group. They name the person they are challenging to produce their coin and if the person produces it within 60 seconds, the challenger buys them a drink. If they do not, they must buy the challenger a drink.

Still another rule is if a challenge is made and the coin drops on the floor, everyone who sees or hears the coin dropping is owed a drink by the owner of the coin. There are a variety of rules that are observed by those who carry these coins. Regardless of the challenges that are made by members who carry Air Force challenge coins, they have become a distinctive character of the military expressing beliefs and attitudes.

The coins are given to members of the Air Force for service that sets an example for others to follow. In addition, the coins strengthen morale and are separate from the awards and achievements denoted by the patches and ribbons that are placed on uniforms. An act that may not qualify for an official award, but may be just as important to the unit can be recognized by the giving of an Air Force challenge coin.

Each military coin is unique with the logo or the identifying mark of a particular squadron. They are typically made of some type of metal including bronze, gold, copper, nickel and silver. There is a logo that may include why the coin was given or it can be the name and number of the squadron. The coins do not have to be round. They can be custom made in many different shapes.

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It has been believed that in the First World War, custom challenge coins were first introduced and were introduced in the Air Service of US Army. It was said that one of the Air Force officers, the then in-charge, asked to prepare gold plated medals to present the pilots bearing the respective squadron's emblem. This was the origination of custom challenge coins.

The more popular custom challenge coins include the Marine Corps, navy, the police challenge coins and the Air Force challenge coins. The shades, shapes and designs were selected on the basis of several branches the coins represented. These medals are associated with high sentimental values nonetheless of its costs, which is just a few dollars. Later on the major objective of offering custom challenge coins was associated with the manifestation of honor for the outstanding performances or acts of people and to bolster the morale of the forces.

These days such coins are donned by individuals associated with several organizations and institutions to display they are members of some particular body. Even today these coins symbolize the unity and the bonds between the members who are linked with the same unit in the air force, military, or the navy.

The more prominent aspect of these coins is that it can be facilitated for many other purposes as well. Today such coins are believed to be one of the best ways to shower the special recognition towards those employees or any other member of family for the outstanding services offered. It could be anything like achieving the set target of sales, for spending specific years in a service or doing some exemplary deeds. Usually any company prefers to design these coins differently based on diverse ranking and categories. Moreover, if the presentation of such coins has become a customary in any of the organizations, it offers a special sense of proud to the employees and people of that company who receive these coins. It actually boosts their morals and encourages them to perform better to retain that level of excellence for which they have been awarded with these custom challenge coins.

These medals are also facilitated as a strong marketing device to market and do branding work for the respective company. If you can craft such medals displaying the company logo and the slogan engraved on them, they would really become an impressive handout for all types of trade shows or any type of exhibition.

Custom challenge coins can be made from any type of metal and it can be coated with several shades for a classy and dynamic appeal. A few of the added features, like a protective layer or edge, can actually catapult the layout of such coins. These days, there are myriads of companies offering the manufacturing services of custom challenge coins. You just need to opt for the desired shape, color design and any text to be engraved and rest will be taken care of by the manufacturing company. These souvenirs have become a great and classy means of developing a feeling of belongingness.