My brother was telling me about his son in Law who is looking like he is going to be career Army. He was telling me about he had received some coins and was making display cases or racks for them. I had not heard about this, Dad received some medals, but I am not familiar with the coins. Any help on this?
Veterans Question
- Thread starter MaxMan
- Start date
Probably challenge coins.
contender
Ruger Guru
Yep,, "Challenge Coins!"
A more modern thing for military, LEO's etc to have one for their unit, or even a special activity. My LEO son has several from various other agencies. He even has one from the first round when President Trump was inaugurated that was given to security people.
Unless I'm mistaken,, they started as a way for Special Forces team members to be able to identify with other Teams when going places,, & doing stuff. Plus,, I heard that if you didn't have your coin on you & were "challenged" in a bar,, you had to buy a round of drinks for everybody.
A more modern thing for military, LEO's etc to have one for their unit, or even a special activity. My LEO son has several from various other agencies. He even has one from the first round when President Trump was inaugurated that was given to security people.
Unless I'm mistaken,, they started as a way for Special Forces team members to be able to identify with other Teams when going places,, & doing stuff. Plus,, I heard that if you didn't have your coin on you & were "challenged" in a bar,, you had to buy a round of drinks for everybody.
Cofaler
Blackhawk
Sounds like challenge coins. Units, usually battalion level and above, would have a distinctive coin made up and higher ranking officers or NCOs, usually the Commander or Command Sergeant Major of that unit would give them out as tokens of appreciation for various deeds, sort of an 'on the spot' way of recognition. Not an award that you could wear on your uniform. Some units I have been in would let you 'trade' them in for a 3 day pass. The 'challenge part came from the idea that while at the bar, someone would 'challenge' the group to show that they had their unit coin on their person. If not then that person would have to buy a round.
Some higher command positions had coins for that position, and if you got one, the higher the rank or position, the greater the bragging rights. Later some had personal coins made up with their names on them. In the Air Guard unit I retired from, just about every Chief (E-9) had a personal coin made up once they were promoted and gave them out as tokens of appreciation.
Some higher command positions had coins for that position, and if you got one, the higher the rank or position, the greater the bragging rights. Later some had personal coins made up with their names on them. In the Air Guard unit I retired from, just about every Chief (E-9) had a personal coin made up once they were promoted and gave them out as tokens of appreciation.
I still, to this day, carry my old units coin.
OP
Thank you.all. Do you think there would be a market for a display item for them?
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contender
Ruger Guru
There are already many different display board types being made. If you have a niche market,, then maybe you could sell some. Example; My oldest's son's wife works for a big university. apparently they have "merit challenge coins" that occasionally get given as a simple reward. Well, my son decided to build her a custom rack for the coins. He colored it with the school colors, and mascot emblem.
Look up "Challenge coin racks."
Look up "Challenge coin racks."
I still carry a challenge coin but it says USAF RETIRED now. I have a fair number of them and one that I cherish is the one given to me by a good friend and Ruger owner who goes by WATERTENDER on this and the ROCS forum. Thank you again Carl.
OP
Thanks
Trade, yes. Sell, no. Suppose to be taboo. Never heard of these when I was in but is very common now. I was a gunner in the Navy. All gunners went through school in Great Lakes, Illinois. The gun school was a four story building made of green glass that let light in but you couldn't see in. The center of the building had the class rooms and office spaces and was surrounded by actual gun systems and missile launch systems. Pretty impressive for an 18 year old. Not sure how long it was up, but thousands of us gunners went through that school.
Well, they tore it down and a few guys saved some of the glass and have made Gunners Mate challenge coins out of them. They have a small piece of glass from the building in them. I don't know about others, but these are very collectable because they have a part of the building. They show up on E-bay once in a while. Early ones go for about $1,500. Again, suppose to be taboo to sell to general public. Its a award and was given with a reason not to be cheapened by making a profit.
Well, they tore it down and a few guys saved some of the glass and have made Gunners Mate challenge coins out of them. They have a small piece of glass from the building in them. I don't know about others, but these are very collectable because they have a part of the building. They show up on E-bay once in a while. Early ones go for about $1,500. Again, suppose to be taboo to sell to general public. Its a award and was given with a reason not to be cheapened by making a profit.
Don't walk into a bar in a military town w/out one.....or you are paying the tab 
I have probably a couple dozen Navy challenge coins and a few LE challenge coins. I have a nice challenge coin display rack that is a American flag with slots to hold them. A few years ago they started becoming popular again. Not just for Military and LE but corporations and manufacturers. If you want a John Deere or a Sponge Bob challenge coin they are there....
My youngest Son, in the Navy is now collecting them. In fact, he was coined by a retired Admiral at Arlington Cemetery recently. My Wife belongs to a Blue Star Mothers group and they took a tour of Arlington. The Admiral was with the group. My Son was not on duty or part of any service that day (He is currently on special duty with Navy Ceremonial Guard as a Casket Bearer) but met my Wife and the group at one point to give them some more history and what the Ceremonial Guard is about. He was in dress blues, with ceremonial guard rope and other "bling". Before departing, the Admiral shook his hand, and gave him a coin. My Son was a bit embarrassed as he did not have a NCG coin on him. He's been coined by a couple high ranking officers so far.
I have learned to keep one on me if going into a bar where other Vets or active will be. It's rare to be challenged anymore, as I don't frequent bars very much these days. But awhile back my Wife was meeting a old childhood friend at a place near her work. She asked me to come as her Husband would be there and was a Vet. At the last moment I decided to grab a coin because the place we were meeting is in a Military town. We sat at the bar waiting to be seated at a table for dinner. When the bar tender put the tab in front us, he placed a coin down. I then pulled mine out of my wallet and placed on top of his. If I hadn't had mine I would have had to pay the tab.....but really it was more of way to bring up more discussion. We did trade coins as we both collected. His being an Army Artillery themed coin and mine a Navy Ordnance theme coin (IYAOYAS).
Anymore these days I only get them as gifts. I guarantee there will be one in my stocking of some sort. It's the thing now....if you look on Amazon you will see a challenge coin for every theme imaginable, and a lot of racks and display cases. To me, it sort of takes away from the challenge coin tradition.
I have probably a couple dozen Navy challenge coins and a few LE challenge coins. I have a nice challenge coin display rack that is a American flag with slots to hold them. A few years ago they started becoming popular again. Not just for Military and LE but corporations and manufacturers. If you want a John Deere or a Sponge Bob challenge coin they are there....
My youngest Son, in the Navy is now collecting them. In fact, he was coined by a retired Admiral at Arlington Cemetery recently. My Wife belongs to a Blue Star Mothers group and they took a tour of Arlington. The Admiral was with the group. My Son was not on duty or part of any service that day (He is currently on special duty with Navy Ceremonial Guard as a Casket Bearer) but met my Wife and the group at one point to give them some more history and what the Ceremonial Guard is about. He was in dress blues, with ceremonial guard rope and other "bling". Before departing, the Admiral shook his hand, and gave him a coin. My Son was a bit embarrassed as he did not have a NCG coin on him. He's been coined by a couple high ranking officers so far.
I have learned to keep one on me if going into a bar where other Vets or active will be. It's rare to be challenged anymore, as I don't frequent bars very much these days. But awhile back my Wife was meeting a old childhood friend at a place near her work. She asked me to come as her Husband would be there and was a Vet. At the last moment I decided to grab a coin because the place we were meeting is in a Military town. We sat at the bar waiting to be seated at a table for dinner. When the bar tender put the tab in front us, he placed a coin down. I then pulled mine out of my wallet and placed on top of his. If I hadn't had mine I would have had to pay the tab.....but really it was more of way to bring up more discussion. We did trade coins as we both collected. His being an Army Artillery themed coin and mine a Navy Ordnance theme coin (IYAOYAS).
Anymore these days I only get them as gifts. I guarantee there will be one in my stocking of some sort. It's the thing now....if you look on Amazon you will see a challenge coin for every theme imaginable, and a lot of racks and display cases. To me, it sort of takes away from the challenge coin tradition.
contender
Ruger Guru
redfernclan,, the question was about making racks or displays for coins,, NOT for selling the coins. From all I've ever heard,, selling a challenge coin is taboo.
When I was in the Army,, I knew about special units that had a Challenge coin. My unit didn't have any nor did any of the units we mostly dealt with. From that era, it was the special ops units that did have them. As such,, even though I'm a Vet, I was never gifted any real Challenge coins. But I do have a Challenge coin so to speak,, gifted to me by THE man. "The Gunny" himself,, had a coin made when he was promoting Glock. I was unaware of it. We met briefly several years ago,, and he made a comment about the shark tooth necklace I was wearing. I had a few shark teeth I had found & wrapped for a necklace. I got one out of my pocket,, and gave it to him say; "Here's one for you,, for good luck!" He was genuinely surprised & liked it! As I was about to leave,, he shook my hand & slipped me a Coin. I treasure that one. Only one I have ever been gifted.
But my son,, he has been gifted several by other LEO agencies & he has a rack for his coins. His Texas Ranger one, and his President Trump one are among his favorites.
When I was in the Army,, I knew about special units that had a Challenge coin. My unit didn't have any nor did any of the units we mostly dealt with. From that era, it was the special ops units that did have them. As such,, even though I'm a Vet, I was never gifted any real Challenge coins. But I do have a Challenge coin so to speak,, gifted to me by THE man. "The Gunny" himself,, had a coin made when he was promoting Glock. I was unaware of it. We met briefly several years ago,, and he made a comment about the shark tooth necklace I was wearing. I had a few shark teeth I had found & wrapped for a necklace. I got one out of my pocket,, and gave it to him say; "Here's one for you,, for good luck!" He was genuinely surprised & liked it! As I was about to leave,, he shook my hand & slipped me a Coin. I treasure that one. Only one I have ever been gifted.
But my son,, he has been gifted several by other LEO agencies & he has a rack for his coins. His Texas Ranger one, and his President Trump one are among his favorites.
My son (Army CWO Blackhawk pilot with 21+ years of service so far) will not accept challenge coins. His belief - challenge coins are equivalent to "I wus dere" ribbons. He says challenge coins are essentially concert ticket stubs and have nothing to do with what the recipient actually did to merit recognition.
I guess some folks, fun-haters, have to pee in the koolaid. Challenge coins are an innocent little tradition, officially meaning nothing, but important to some of us.
I am active with Veterans and Veteran issues. When a Veteran or even an active duty service member has just one of these, and he gives it to me, I am honored.
I am active with Veterans and Veteran issues. When a Veteran or even an active duty service member has just one of these, and he gives it to me, I am honored.
Wayno, I kinda agree with your sentiment. That said, I'm now being offered the opportunity to buy two "about to be minted" challenge coins - one commemorating my service in Thailand (1972-73) and the other commemorating my service in AFTAC (which was/is the USAF organization to which our government gave the sole responsibility to monitor other countries' compliance with nuclear test ban treaties).
But no one, other than me, will know that I bought them rather than having them given to me. And therein lies the problem. I've seen challenge coins offered on EBay, which tells me lots about their value. Rather like POGs.
But no one, other than me, will know that I bought them rather than having them given to me. And therein lies the problem. I've seen challenge coins offered on EBay, which tells me lots about their value. Rather like POGs.
Badger Matt
Single-Sixer
I carry around my Phoenix Raven (#18) challenge coin in my wallet and have since ‘97. The rest I have in my reloading room under glass in my coffee table.
I know of challenge coins, not the protocol, as I never had one them in my time of service. My Grandson was given one at basic training graduation.
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It's a very personal thing, how one respects or views such mementos.
I was give a Veteran's medal from a local Indian Tribe. It's important to me, and I wear it on a beaded chain every day. It is MY challenge coin. It's wearing out. I have seen the same medal available online. If I bought it to replace and or save my original medal, would that not be honorable? Kind've the same with military medals. I've known folks that lost some or all of their medals. They've found or have been gifted the same medal from retail sources. When worn, is that not honorable? I think it is. Again, it's whatever honor and respect the individual has for anything man-made.
I was issued two knives while in the Army. Of course I had to turn them in when I ETS'd. I always wanted to own these knives, and years later, both of them, however acquired, were gifted to me. One of them from a member of this forum. These knives are both important to me.
One more thought...
I have relatively few challenge coins. I don't think challenge coins were in existence when I served. Or else I just never knew about them.
Some years ago, @Badger Matt sent me a challenge coin. He could have given it to anybody, but he gave it to me. I see it often. It's important to me.
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I was give a Veteran's medal from a local Indian Tribe. It's important to me, and I wear it on a beaded chain every day. It is MY challenge coin. It's wearing out. I have seen the same medal available online. If I bought it to replace and or save my original medal, would that not be honorable? Kind've the same with military medals. I've known folks that lost some or all of their medals. They've found or have been gifted the same medal from retail sources. When worn, is that not honorable? I think it is. Again, it's whatever honor and respect the individual has for anything man-made.
I was issued two knives while in the Army. Of course I had to turn them in when I ETS'd. I always wanted to own these knives, and years later, both of them, however acquired, were gifted to me. One of them from a member of this forum. These knives are both important to me.
One more thought...
I have relatively few challenge coins. I don't think challenge coins were in existence when I served. Or else I just never knew about them.
Some years ago, @Badger Matt sent me a challenge coin. He could have given it to anybody, but he gave it to me. I see it often. It's important to me.
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I served 24 years on active duty and never heard of the concept of "challenge coins" until long after I retired from the military. I already have enough in my pockets without adding a big coin to keep with me all the time. These coins do sound a bit like a participation trophy and would mean about the same thing to me.
Like Vito I never heard of challenge coins when I served ( 71-77). Perhaps they became a thing later.
My kids have them and according to them "play the game". Among those they served with it was a sort of one upmanship. Who ever had the lowest ranking coin bought the booze. All in good fun.
My kids have them and according to them "play the game". Among those they served with it was a sort of one upmanship. Who ever had the lowest ranking coin bought the booze. All in good fun.
My Son graduated basic 1.5 years ago. When the ceremony was over and we were allowed to leave the stands and find him, I shook his hand, and he said "I have something for you". He reached in his (small) dress white pocket and handed me a RTC Great Lakes challenge coin. Of all the coins I have, this one means the most, and will never be played in the game.
Then you don't truly get the concept. A participation trophy? not hardly. Although, as I stated before, there are too many now. Marketing took advantage of a time honored tradition. You can buy them online now. Not "official" but there are coins for everything now. It is a honor to be "coined" by a higher ranking official, or a member of another command. It was also a good feeling to not be caught off guard when a bar tab was tallied and someone placed one on the bar.....I think you have stated you were Medical Corps.....sort of a different group and possibly didn't participate in such things.
Exactly. It is a sense of pride in a way. But yes, all in good fun.
Bravo Zulu KB!..........some just don't get it I guess.
Mostly it is about alcohol
Ron, thank you for the opportunity to give you a coin. I think very highly of veterans and try to show my appreciation. You earn it the hard way.
I started giving challenge coins to veterans many years ago when I would have coffee with a WW2 and Korea USMC veteran. My friend Charlie always wore a Marine Corps hat, I saw a Marine Corps challenge coin when I was looking for something else online and bought it for him.
When Charlie died my wife and I went to his calling hours and his coin was in the casket with his American flag. I asked his nephew about the coin and he said that it was his Uncle Charlie's proudest possession that he would show people. His nephew said that he was holding it when he died. I thought if it meant that much to Charlie that it would mean that much to other veterans.
I have a case in my truck that has challenge coins in it for the different branches of the service and I try to keep coins in it. I have bought some specially for the veterans who I know personally but many times I see someone wearing a military hat and ask about their service. I do this at the local diner and go to my truck to get them a coin. Other people know what I am doing and watch as I give the coin to the vet. Most times it's greatly appreciated. I have had only one guy give me some crap about giving him a coin so I asked him if he would prefer to be cussed at instead and walked away.
Thank You to EVERY veteran here. I greatly appreciate your service.
I think I understand now. Killer Bee talks about "deployments". We didn't "deploy". We went to Vietnam or Thailand with occasional side trips to Laos & Cambodia.
It seems clear that the major use of these coins is to avoid paying for one's bar tab by hoping a fellow vet does not have a coin with him (or her). Since I don't go to bars I can feel confident that not having a challenge coin will not make a difference in my life.
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Very informative thread. I’ve been hearing of these coins but didn’t know the whole story.
My Dad carried a coin from AA in his pocket for years. It was a gift from a visiting uncle my Dad found him a meeting and took him to it. That was 30+ years ago. So it probably predates challenge coins.
My Dad was a recovered alcoholic. He said he never wanted a drink as bad as he did after that meeting.
I got this at work for working safely. I guess its a challenge coin?
Not something I need in my pocket.
My Dad carried a coin from AA in his pocket for years. It was a gift from a visiting uncle my Dad found him a meeting and took him to it. That was 30+ years ago. So it probably predates challenge coins.
My Dad was a recovered alcoholic. He said he never wanted a drink as bad as he did after that meeting.
I got this at work for working safely. I guess its a challenge coin?
Not something I need in my pocket.
Yaworski
Hawkeye
That's my recollection as well. Special units had them and as I recall, they were pretty simple things that you carried to show membership in one of those units. As with many things, they went over the top and went from identifiers to elaborate commemorative items. Special people give you their coin and then you display it.
