Posted on Mar 27, 2016
Challenge coins. Do you use them, collect them, or both?
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I know they mean something to the older and saltier vets on here so this is geared more towards the younger folks like me. Personally I collect the ones I receive; on great occasion I buy one. I've sold most of the ones I've bought on impulse (yeah I was that boot) except for a few that I haven't been able to. I have yet, however, to run into a situation where I needed to use one (bar scenario).
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Challenge Coin
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Challenge Coin Collecting
Posted >1 y ago
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I received a beer bottle cap that this young soldier had flattened out between two rags so the cap wouldn't be destroyed. I had taken the time to help him through the death of a family member and he knew at the time that unit members were trading coins in the unit as a way of saying thanks and he had no coins to trade me so he came up with this novel idea of the beer cap. I remember the story in the bible Mark 12:41-44
The Widow’s Offering
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
This young man had no coin to give me so he made his own. When he gave it to me he looked me in the eye and pressed the cap into my hand. I thanked him and reciprocated with our "Red Bull" coin which he quickly pocketed to look at later. We both received a treasure that day.
The Widow’s Offering
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
This young man had no coin to give me so he made his own. When he gave it to me he looked me in the eye and pressed the cap into my hand. I thanked him and reciprocated with our "Red Bull" coin which he quickly pocketed to look at later. We both received a treasure that day.
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SPC David Shannon
I worked in Bn Command Group and received a coin from every important official I met/drove. I also helped design a coin used to commemorate our unit's Korea rotation.
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MSgt Andre Stringer
I have no need for and never earned that coined. It should be reserved for those who earned it the hard way and not PX warriors. My SpecOps friends laugh at those wannabes. That coin came into existence due to WW2 pilots. I see the pride when challenged the coins are pulled, slapped on the bar. Those who forgot to bring theirs have to buy the round. Old timers may remember metal on the bar in VFWs. It did not involve a coin. I have been sent 2 challenge coins, don't carry them because I did not earn them by just being a Marine grunt. It should be reserved for Seals, SF, Delta, Army Rangers rate but few people know that in the Fleet, FMF Marines are trained to that same level. We were told, you are not special, you are Marines and expected to perform at that level. I agreed and we don't need a coin to prove otherwise.
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1SG Garry Murdock
Well as a Salty Old Dog as stated originally, I have approximately 33 coins. And I assure you they were earned, not giving or purchased at the PX. And yes they all hold a special place in my heart. So to ask for one is not the correct thing to do SSG. And as for a Senior Non Com or Officer to receive one for doing their job while serving is an in correct statement in mind. Not saying it does not happen, because if a Fobbit receives a Bronze Star or higher then they are wrong in my mind unless something was done deserving the Bronze Star or LOM as you state.
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TSgt Jeremy Morris
That's doubtful. If someone try offered you $1M for one, you'd be crazy not to accept. Everything (material) has a price.
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MSgt (Join to see)
I'd sell my whole collection for $1M. Memories are great, but money is practical and I can set my kids up with a good college education and enough to start their own careers with $1M. The past is important, but don't give up your future by living in the past.
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MSgt (Join to see)
As a 2W0 (Ammo), we must carry one at all times. If we get coin checked, whether in the grocery store, bar or the flight line and we dont have one with us, we pay hell. It's tradition that unfortunately, is fading away with the younger crowd.
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PO1 Steven Ewing
I never saw one when I was on active duty. Can't even find one that represents a Navy Squadron I served in (VA-15, but coins for VFA-15 exist).
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CPT Daniel Cox
PO1 Bob Junke - It isn't a "new" thing.
My first coin was in 1981 with 7th Infantry Division DIVARTY. I got one with the 1-38th FA BN 2nd ID, G-3 2nd ID, and 2nd ID Division Staff coins. I was given one by the Commander of Chemical and MP Schools in 2003 on a courtesy visit after I had left the Army.
I have received several other non-Army ones since then.
I think I know why usage of challenge coins may have declined in the past 35 years. The only place I was ever challenged was an O-Club bar. When I was a young Lieutenant at Fort Ord in 1981-1982 and Korea 1982-1983 a lot of business was conducted at the O-Club. Every Officer I knew went there several nights a week at Fort Ord and every night in Korea. When I got stationed at TRADOC HQ as a staff officer in 1984 a lot had changed in the 18 months I was away. The O-Club at Fort Monroe, VA, was dead. I asked around my office and found out that no one wanted to be seen drinking. The same was true at Fort Eustis and most Army bases I visited. The culture was changing. After that, everywhere I went it seemed O-Clubs and Senior NCO Clubs became restaurants and not much else. O-Club bars went away because a DUI became a career-ending offense and the Army culture was moving away from its hard-drinking past.
My first coin was in 1981 with 7th Infantry Division DIVARTY. I got one with the 1-38th FA BN 2nd ID, G-3 2nd ID, and 2nd ID Division Staff coins. I was given one by the Commander of Chemical and MP Schools in 2003 on a courtesy visit after I had left the Army.
I have received several other non-Army ones since then.
I think I know why usage of challenge coins may have declined in the past 35 years. The only place I was ever challenged was an O-Club bar. When I was a young Lieutenant at Fort Ord in 1981-1982 and Korea 1982-1983 a lot of business was conducted at the O-Club. Every Officer I knew went there several nights a week at Fort Ord and every night in Korea. When I got stationed at TRADOC HQ as a staff officer in 1984 a lot had changed in the 18 months I was away. The O-Club at Fort Monroe, VA, was dead. I asked around my office and found out that no one wanted to be seen drinking. The same was true at Fort Eustis and most Army bases I visited. The culture was changing. After that, everywhere I went it seemed O-Clubs and Senior NCO Clubs became restaurants and not much else. O-Club bars went away because a DUI became a career-ending offense and the Army culture was moving away from its hard-drinking past.
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