U.S. Military Challenge Coins... Worth Collecting?

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pmsyyz-military-challenge-coins.jpgChallenge coins are not really coins per se.

They are not made by the Federal mints.

And they are not used as currency.

Challenge coins first made their appearance during World War I.


The History Of Challenge Coins

The story is...

Each member of a particular WWI airborne squadron was given a bronze medallion by their lieutenant.

One of these soldiers was captured by the Germans and later escaped, only to be re-captured by the French. The French, not knowing that the soldier was a friendly American, were set to execute him. But before the time came, one of the Frenchmen recognized the medallion that was worn by the American and his life was spared.


Why Are They Called Challenge Coins?

Following World War I, it became a growing tradition to carry these medallions, or "coins", and it was a fun little game that gave them the name "challenge".

It went something like this...
Squadron members would challenge one another to reveal their coins. If the member being challenged did not have his or her coin on them, they would have to buy a drink for the person who challenged them. If, however, they could produce the coin, then the challenger had to buy them a drink. Thus, the "challenge coin" evolved.


Modern Day Challenge Coins

Today, challenge coins are everywhere. It may not seem like it, if you're not particularly looking for them, but they are used by police departments, fire departments, colleges, fraternities, special clubs, etc.

Just type in challenge coins on E-bay and look them up. There are hundreds!

View many types of challenge coins here. (Even more challenge coin pictures here.)


Are Challenge Coins Worth Collecting?

Most coin collectors don't collect challenge coins. A few may, but not the majority. Still, a number of people do collect and trade challenge coins -- just for the fun of it.

military-challenge-coins-display-case.jpgChallenge coins aren't worth a whole lot, maybe a few bucks each. However, they can still be fun to collect, and there are even a few really good looking displays that they make just for storing and displaying your challenge coins.


Make Your Own Challenge Coin

You may also be interested to know that you can have your very own challenge coin! That's right, isn't that neat?

You design your own coin on paper (or have someone draw it up for you), including the depiction and what lettering you want on it. Then, choose from a handful of businesses that will make a challenge coin out of it, like these:

At some places, you may be able to just write them and describe what you're wanting and they can draw it up for you.

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Photos

  • American Civil War token - Photo in public domain
  • Coin folder: a 50 state quarters album. photo by Ronald Heft
  • A state quarters collection. photo by CK
  • The long line of people who were waiting to be among the first to buy the Hawaii State Quarter from a bank in Hawaii the day it was first made available to the public. photo by nsub1
  • Here's an example of a State Quarter folder album. photo by Joshua
  • 2006 proof silver eagle coin
  • 2006 50 dollar one-ounce gold coin
  • A 1999 gold eagle coin against Christmas wrapping paper. photo by Joshua
  • A 1993 silver eagle coin against birthday wrapping paper. photo by Joshua
  • 1924 Saint-Gaudens double eagle coin is a good example of a regular relief coin.
  • Martin Van Buren dollar coin
  • 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle coin

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