The Use of Challenge Coins Today
Challenge coins have a long and debated history. Though given to members of the armed services to commemorate specific service or the units they served with it’s actually possible to get your own coins. Much like patches, these coins are often made for specific battles or theaters of combat. While everyone in these areas of operation earns their coins or patches it’s possible for everyone else to honor their service by collecting their own patches.
In recent years a few companies have begun making replica challenge coins or obtaining left over coins through Army surplus. They come in all shapes and sizes and can be as general as a United States Marines challenge coin or as specific as the US Navy Activities Okinawa Security Challenge Coin. Not all the coins are round like you’d expect, in fact the previously mentioned US Navy Activities Okinawa Security Challenge Coin is actual shaped more like an almond. This odd shape is more the exception than the rule but it’s not alone. There are other coins that have odd shapes like the US Navy Security Cfao Okinawa Challenge Coin which is shaped like a shield.
As for the contents of these coins they vary widely. They can be as simple as showing a map of the area of operation or they may feature more complex symbols and slogans. The US Army Special Forces Challenge coins for instance feature a shield with three arrows crossing. On the back a green beret is centered with a knife and two arrows in relief. The inscription reads “De Oppresso Liber” which is the special forces slogan. It means, though there is some debate about this, “to free from oppression.”
The US Navy Seal Team challenge coins features the Seal Team logo, which is an eagle carrying an anchor and trident. Because the seals specialize in sea, land and air the coin also displays helicopters, seals in a raft, seals firing from a prone position and a seal firing from a crouch. It’s a beautiful coin that reflects a rich tradition and a strong bond of brotherhood.
Its not just the armed forces that uses challenge coins. Many law enforcement organizations also use these coins to show camaraderie and build teamwork. These coins are a powerful symbol for the traditions and accomplishments of groups of men and women that have sacrificed and worked for their country.
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