The Lair

I miss this thread..

 

I travel for work a lot and I started collecting challenge coins for every installation that I visit. The top 4 are not military coins. One is from a buddy that owns a knife company, one is from Yellowstone, one is from VP Biden, and the last is from Camp David. Figured some other guys in here might have a collection also.

 

So what's the story behind challenge coins? Have always heard of them but never really dove into them as far as research.

 

I’ve got like 4. I’ll have to text you a pic of my most valued one.

 

It was some commander in WW2 or something. He gave coins to his pilots and one was shot down behind enemy lines. The downed pilot killed a German soldier and took his uniform. When he got back to friendly territory, he was almost killed because he was wearing a German uniform. The challenge coin saved him from being killed.


That's my crappy recollection of the story anyway.

 

How do you get/earn new coins? Trading? Military achievements?

 

Some you can buy. Some are given to you as a commendation. For example I’m sure there’s a presidential challenge coin. Not available for public purchase but if he were to give it to you for whatever reason, it probably means you did something great and that coin holds a lot of weight.

 

Exactly. Like my Biden coin was given to me from VP Biden. There's not a store you can buy them from.

 

Ok that beats mine. Holy shit that’s cool.

 

Yeah that's pretty badass. Does he get another to pass to someone else or is that the only one he is given over his terms? Just curious. I'm definitely intrigued right now.

 

He has a whole slew of coins and gives them out as he sees fit, but generally they’re not just given out for no reason. That goes for coins in general.

 

That's pretty freakin' sweet! Can they be given to civilians or just to military?

 

Anyone! I work in a military environment now and you bet your ass I’m asking for a coin when I leave.

 

Don't forget if a fellow military member slaps his challenge coin down at a bar and you don't have yours from your unit then you're buying the next round.

I'll dig around for the ones I've gotten from friends and family. My most prized one was from my great uncle. Gotten one from a seal, marine recon, great uncle, navy pilot, and an AWACS pilot. All of which were very close friends. I'll never get rid of them.

@Rome604 I've got a very personal autographed copy of George W. autobiography. My cousin is friends with his daughters and his best friend married Jenna. Got to meet the whole family at my cousin's wedding. That was a real treat for me since my uncles brother served under him as his ambassador to Oman. Pretty crazy how small the world became. With 2 different sides of my family with very personal ties to them.

 

My wife worked for him and he gave me the coin after he found out I was a police officer in Atlanta. He has a bunch of them and hands them out when he wants to.

 

To me, the ones available for purchase have no real meaning. It is the ones that are earned that are special. I have accumulated a few over the years as they are passed around in law enforcement as well.

 

They are almost always give as a token of appreciation, or as recognition for going above and beyond ones duty. They have access to many, but they are prudently given. If you happen to earn or be given duplicates of a coin, there are always others that are willing to trade as well. But like I posted above, the ones earned are always the most special.

I keep my duplicates, so that when I retire, they can be put in my shadow box and I will have the front and back of each coin to display in it.

 

I have a SWAT team one from the local Sheriff's office I'll send you if you want it just gotta find it.

 

Hwhipped up some basic but beefy hi lift mounts today out of some 1/8" bar stock and 1/2" bolts. Paint drying overnight and my large wing nuts will arrive tomorrow for it.