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Challenge Coins
Wrangler
Member Posts: 5,788 ✭
Anyone collect them? I know they are big in the military. I've got a couple from some police organizations. Just wondering who collects them.
Comments
I have a few from active duty, like a chief of staff coin, hospital commander's coin, cobra gold from thailand....
are they challenge coins?
by challenge coins do you mean coins given by generals and such?
I have a few from active duty, like a chief of staff coin, hospital commander's coin, cobra gold from thailand....
are they challenge coins?
The tradition of the coin giving dates back to Vietnam actually when soldiers would tote along a piece of "lucky" ordnance that had helped them or narrowly missed them. At first it was small arms ammunition, but this practice grew to much bigger and more dangerous ordnance as time wound on. It became then actually a dangerous practice because of the size and power of the ordnance being carried, so commanders banned it, and instead gave away metal coins emblazoned with the unit crest or something similar. The main purpose of the ordnance had been when going into a bar, you had to have your lucky piece or you had to buy drinks for all who did have it. The coins worked far better in this regard as they were smaller and not as lethal! So, if you go to a military bar, whip out a challenge coin and slam it down on the bar, those who lack one buy drinks! Obviously you have to be careful about this tradition...if everyone has theirs, YOU have to buy the round! However, Commanders and units give out coins for this and as mementos for services rendered or special occasions.
This tradition spread to other military units in all branches of service and even to non military organizations. Today, challenge coins are given to members upon joining an organization, as an award to improve morale, and sold to commemorate special occasions or as fundraisers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenge_coin
at ft belvior (virginia) it mattered what the "rank" of the coin was. if your coin outranked the other guy, he bought the drinks!
I didn't know they were called "challenge" coins.[:I]
also didn't know about carrying ordinance around. sounds like fun![;)]
by challenge coins do you mean coins given by generals and such?
I have a few from active duty, like a chief of staff coin, hospital commander's coin, cobra gold from thailand....
are they challenge coins?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenge_coin
I don't really collect them; they just keep showing up.
BE SAFE!! Buffler
Buffler- as much as I (gag) hate to say it, check Flea-bay.
Yep, there are a bunch of them on there.
Google "ChallengeCoinUSA.com"