A friend passed away a few months ago, having given a few medallions to his caretaker, also a friend. She gave them to me recently. I know nothing about them, except they appear to be what is called "challenge coins." They are privately minted and given out by various organizations, apparently in recognition of some sort. I think they started with police forces, since there seem to be quite a few of these out there. Does anyone here collect them or know anything about them? These are the ones she had, plus duplicates. The first is 2 inches, the others 1.75 inches in diameter.
I know just a little about these. The police ones were given to many folks. Officers gave them to family and friends. They even traded them with officers from different departments. I knew of an officer that gave one to a kid having a tough time. In the military, challenge coins have a fun history. At the bar the guy with the best coin drank for free. That's about all I know.
I picked up a few during my army years. We used to give or receive them for downing a “boot” of beer. The uninitiated discovered quickly that it was a double edge sword. When the air bubble hit the toe of the glass boot the remainder of beer would suddenly splash the drinkers face thus earning him his challenge coin. Most only received one because beer up the nose hurts!
I don't collect them per say, but one day on a whim I bought these from the White House Store. I also have a few others somewhere. Sorry for the poor pictures!
