Let's see your exonumia!

New CWT for the collection from Heritage. Not a particularly rare die pair, but the Wilson's Medal die is usually struck weak and nearly always missing some of the design. This one is unusually well struck, and the price was very right!

 

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As a few of the regular exo-numismatists here know, I collect challenge coins, and I would like to talk about these for a moment. Today eBay is littered with them and they've made their way outside the military into law enforcement, fire departments, and even businesses. Challenge coins are a way of recognizing individual accomplishments, showing organization pride, fundraising, or commemorating an event or thing. Numismatist and author Ray Bows places the origin of challenge coins (essentially unit coins) in World War I from U.S. Army infantry units. Bows goes on to write, "The first unit coin made mandatory to be in a soldier’s possession was the Buffalo Nickel of the 17th Infantry Regiment. It was issued during the Korean War – and subsequent issues were dated all through the fifties, while the 2d Infantry Division penny and the Pathfinder nickel followed." These coins were often holed to be worn with dog tags. Until recently my challenge coin collection has been very personal by relating to the units I've been a part of or events I've attended this latest addition was purchased as an example of an early type of challenge coin, the 2nd Infantry Division penny.

Normally I don't like to post things that I don't have in my posession but I'm making an exception here today. It's been a while since I've posted anything here so here it is:


I like it because it's one of the early unit coin types that would go on to inspire future challenge coins and because it has a date! The photos belong to the seller, I just edited them together. I'll shoot it when I have it in hand. Oh, and here's a modern unit type challenge coin:

 

I wonder why the Gov. Didn't use an Indian Head for the Obv. That's a nice looking example, I think. What is the weight and Dia?
The special ops Challenge is stunning!

 

I'm up to about 25 of these lucite pieces. I don't know why.

 

I'll be honest, I bought this for the Newman pedigree. I've been going through withdraw since I sold my Newman Fugio. It sold at the Token & Medal sale at Heritage for $35 in June, I let the seller make $15. You couldn't buy this raw and pay to holder it for $50, and you'd have to fly to Missouri to let EPN hold it for about 20 minutes to get the provenance. I'll take it.

Edit: Pics from Heritage.

 

Nice pieces, Jack. Good to see some more from you.

The first one reminds me of a Civil War token, with the Indian head design and overall look of it. I've been noticing a lot more challenge coins recently as you have. It's an interesting area of exonumia to collect and a natural for you. Congrats on the nice additions.

Bruce

 

Thanks. Sadly I don't have it in hand yet but I'll reimage it and post it with all the relevant info. These coins were not minted in any official capacity by the government. Units design and fund these coins and issue/sell them as they see fit.

The design of this coin is inspired by the unit's history. The 2d Infantry Division was formed in 1917 giving this coin the obverse date. The Indian head obverse and the star on shield reverse are inspired by this unit's shoulder sleeve emblem


Assuming the date on the reverse means when this coin was minted, it would place the unit at Ft. Benning, Georgia and the unit stayed there from 1958 to 1965.

Interesting tidbit, during WWI this unit was twice under the command of a Marine Corps general, the only time in the Army's history.

The second coin from my initial post was when a base I was stationed at changed commands from Air Combat Command to Special Operations Command. We went from fighter aircraft to various special operations aircraft including the famous C-130 gunships.

 

Shoveling the brass outa the doors with #8 coal shovels (grain shovel for the farm folk)

 

I had never been on one until recently. It's pretty impressive. I tried to get one of the big cannon shells but they said they were all spoken for...good thing it didn't break and come into my hangar because I sure would have one!

 

Here is a (slightly) better pic, as promised. This shows more color accuracy. In hand it is a dark, rich bronze.

 

Art Union of London medal in memory of William Wyon, 1854 by L.C.Wyon. BHM 2535, Eimer 1480, 56mm. The reverse depicts Britannia on a platform amidst four hippocampi.

 

If the Army only knew it would get stranger.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Riverine_Force

 

Does this count? Early captain marvel dime saver bank I picked up recently. I think they are pretty uncommon and worth a decent amount. No dimes in it though!

 

Good stuff guys, picked this up awhile back. Really like the exposition medals lately

 

1969-1997
2022 I can tell everything I seen the U.S.Army and government sent us to do.
Sadly.