A Look at the Rarest Challenge Coins Throughout History

Challenge coins should be familiar to anyone who has served in the military, as well as law enforcement and the government. Anyone else may be wondering, what is a challenge coin?

The History of Challenge Coins

A symbol of achievement in military ranks and a badge of honor for membership. Challenge coins are a familiar object for military personnel, and they have been around since the Roman Empire. However, they became more prevalent in the US during the First World War.

It’s suggested that an American pilot was captured by the French who had assumed the pilot was German, mainly due to the lack of identification. To avoid being executed the pilot revealed a bronze medal from his commanding officer with a recognizable inscription. 

The Vietnam War then transformed this medal into custom challenge coins. American soldiers would use live bullets from missions to slam down ammunition in bars, declaring a challenge for a free round of drinks. The increase of heavier ammunition inspired the Special Forces Group to design custom military challenge coins to keep the tradition alive but in a safer manner. 

Presidential Challenge Coins

The rarest challenge coins in the United States are presidential challenge coins. These are heavily sought after by active-duty military personnel, veterans, and others as well.

Challenge coins that bear a Seal of the President of the United States began with Bill Clinton. President Clinton was the first to create a custom presidential challenge coin for their administration, and these would be discreetly handed to members of the military. Wounded military members, military families, and foreign dignitaries would also receive this honorable coin to show thanks and respect.

Vice presidents have also created their own custom challenge coins since Dick Cheney. The rarest of both presidential and vice-presidential coins are those that are given to personnel directly from those in office. It’s an immense honor to receive these challenge coins, and some can now be found being traded by collectors. 

Other Rare Challenge Coins

You can find other rare challenge coins that represent different units and militant groups. While many other rare coins are used for remembrance of lost battleships or personnel, some are simply for special occasions and whimsy. Take a closer look at some of the rarest challenge coins:

• Medal of Honor 

This challenge coin is easily identified for honored service members. These members who receive the coin also received the famed Medal of Honor.

• Poker Chip

These lightweight challenge coins have customized phrases and contain ceramic material. It’s common for Marine Corps School of Infantry members to receive the poker chip. 

• Aggressive POW-MIA

The National League of POW/MIA flag adorns this coin along with a barbed wire. This is a remembrance of those who were prisoners of war and a symbol to request for the personnel to be sent back to their home countries.

• US Army Diver

US Army members with significant diving achievements receive this coin. The shape is elegantly designed with the head of a diver and portrays unique badges on the back to represent the personnel.

• Submariner Memorial

The Submariner Memorial challenge coin includes the record for the hull numbers of lost ships and is given to the Silent Service guards who protect the seas.

• Friday the 13th

Those accepted into the chief petty officer mess hall receive this challenge coin to commemorate the occasion. The coin is named after the date that the officers accepted the coin, on Friday the 13th.

• Mickey Mouse Challenge

These rare coins were issued by the Naval Air Warfare Center and offer a more whimsical symbol. These navy challenge coins are a reminder for the personnel to take a trip to Disney World. 

Finding a Rare Challange Coin

Collectors are constantly seeking the rarest of challenge coins, and now you can score some valuable trades and custom challenge coins on the internet. You can also find affordable challenge coins for your department to commemorate your service. It’s easier than ever to continue a collection or begin one, so you can show off your honorable service and find some of the rarest challenge coins in history.

The post A Look at the Rarest Challenge Coins Throughout History first appeared on Weirdomatic.

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