About Unique Challenge Coins

People have many different personal interests and join groups or teams with other individuals who also share these pursuits. They often design and create special membership coins, or challenge coins, with the logo and name of their specific organization to remind each other as well as nonmembers of their continued loyalty. Find out more about the history and growth of these challenge coins below.

History

Although a number of different public and private organizations now produce challenge coins for their members, these items were first made for the military. During WWI, one of the American special fighting units was the flying squadrons. The squadron members were very proud of their involvement in the war. One of the lieutenants in a squadron ordered a bronze medallion for every one of the members. He carried his medallion, or challenge coin, in a small bag around his neck.
It was not long after the lieutenant ordered these coins that he was shot down by the enemy and captured by Germans, who destroyed all his identification except for the medallion. When he escaped and made it to France, the soldiers were going to execute him for spying. He showed them the medallion and his execution was delayed until he could prove his identity. When he returned to his squadron, it became mandatory for all members to always carry their coin.
They received their name "challenge coins" rather than medallions from the game that developed upon the lieutenant's return. Squadron members challenged each other to show their coins. If a member who was challenged was not wearing his coin, he would have to buy a drink for the person who presented the challenge. If he was carrying the coin, then the challenger had to buy the drink.

Past and Present Collecting

Challenge coins once again increased in popularity during the Vietnam War with a different slant. Small bullet clubs were established, which were made up of front-line fighters who carried a personalized bullet from their weapon in their hip pocket. When a soldier entered the local base bar, other patrons would challenge him to produce the bullet. Some individuals carried up to four dozen shells. Sometimes, it was possible to see a tavern table covered with a wide variety of bullets, rockets, cannon and artillery shells used in Southeast Asia. Bullets were traded for challenge coins to demonstrate the unit's pride. For example, the Vietnam Veteran Challenge Coin is polished bronze with a diamond wave cut edge.
These coins are still used in present wars. After liberated from a prisoner of war camp, Sgt. Troy Dunlap was given two Iraqi coins by an employee of the hotel where the Red Cross cared for U.S. POWs. "One for you and one for me," Dunlap said to Maj. Rhonda Cornum, whose helicopter was shot down by Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard in Operation Desert Storm. Cornum wrote about the coins in her book called "She Went to War."

Worth its Weight

As with most collections, the more rare coins are worth the most. However, unlike many other collectibles, most of these medallions are quite affordable. Some of them are as low as a few dollars, and even the more unique ones only run about $150 to $200. Collectors like the fact that each one is very unique in its design and history and that they can represent different earlier military groups as well as present-day memberships, such as in local fire departments. Each coin tells its own unique story. The coins are being collected much more for their historic than monetary value.

Newest Collections

Odd shaped coins have become a fad more recently, as collectors look for ways to enlarge their inventory. For example, the SR-71 Blackbird reflects the history of the fastest aircraft built in the Cold War. The coin, which is plated in rare black nickel, measures 2.5″ x 1.25″ and is in the shape of a fighter plane. It includes the older Air Force emblems on the wings. There is exactly 100 ever made.
Dog-tag-shaped challenge coins vary due to their rectangular shape and larger size of 2.25 or 2.5 inches with 3 mm thickness. Some now even have a bottle opener on one end to open a can of soda or beer in the field. When using the challenge coin every day, the military person is more likely to carry it with him or her.

Specialties

When Bill Clinton was President, he had several challenge coin display racks on his Oval Office desk. He received these from servicepeople. They are now on display at the Clinton Library. One of the most difficult challenge coins to find is the one belonging to President George W. Bush. While it is quite easy to find those adorned with President Bill Clinton, the ones with President Bush are more rare and of greater collectible worth. Ronald Reagan's 40th U.S. President Challenge Coin is approximately 1.5 inches in size and is one of the highest quality. If you are thinking about starting a collection, get the newest one for Barack Obama, 44th President, that just came out.

Resources

• All About Challenge Coins
• Military Coins
• U.S. Challenge Coins