The monetary value may not be very high for military challenge coins however, the keepsake value is worth more than you could ever pay for this coin. These coins have been called by many names: military unit coins, commander's coins, honor coins, and pride coins just to name a few. The names all fit because these coins are associated with the honorable duty of the military.
The first ones are said to have emerged during World War I. Many people will beg to differ on this point however, this is the earliest recorded instance of someone having a military challenge coin. They were said to have been made for each member of the Army during this time. Given out for the men to carry with them many opted to wear them as a necklace.
When America was a young nation, peace coins were made by the U. S. Mint which had the president on one side of the coin and a representation of peace and friendship on the other side. These coins were given to high ranking leaders at important meetings such as the signing of treaties.
Today they are a very sought after collector's item and it is no wonder. When the men serving in the military were far from home, they carried these coins. It gave them a sense of not being alone even though they were thousands of miles from the people they loved and their homes. The camaraderie that military challenge coins provided was the one thing they had to hold on to while the world around them was a mess.
These coins represented and still do the significance of being a part of something although today they are used for more than just the military. The originals were engraved with an insignia of the branch of the military or their squadron.
Due to the highly significant meaning of the military challenge coin, the public decided to adopt their own version to give to members of police forces, fire departments, colleges, and many other groups. Their meaning of high moral standards is to remain the same as when they were given to members of the military.
Another military challenge coin that is given out is the one that members of the Air Force receive when they graduate from basic training. This coin is given to commemorate the start of their career with this branch of the military.
A coin that came out in the fall of 1999, the Combating Terrorism coin, is a fund raising effort for children whose parents were special operations soldiers that died while serving their country. This coin was the product of the Special Operations office at the Pentagon. Twenty-five percent of proceeds from the sale of this coin goes to The Special Operations Warrior Foundation, which provides for the education needs of children of slain soldiers.
Where the original idea came from as stated before is a matter of controversy however, the important thing is these coins are a symbol that no one can deny. The military branches are one that sacrifice and give their all to keep their families and friends safe and secure in a land of freedom and opportunity.
*****************************************************
Frank Cassidy is the owner of UnitCoins.us your online resource for creating and customizing your own Military Challenge Coins. |
