While watching the news this morning, I couldn't help but notice what was sitting on the table behind the desk in the Oval Office. Anyone recognize any of these coins?
DO NOT VENTURE INTO POLITICAL DISCUSSION ~ READ AND UNDERSTAND THE RULES. This was not directed towards the author of this post , but the other post was removed. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Jim
I was hoping that some moron wouldn't ruin a coin thread with a political agenda, but what was I thinking?
Unfortunately, a rebuttal is considered a part of the infraction. I agree with the decision, except when they removed the other post, it made you look like the culprit.
Actually ... it was all about politics ... dressed in an answer about the medals. I apologize for that.
I don't recognize any of them off the bat, but they are most likely military challenge coins. Most presidents/generals/admirals/captains, etc., have a collection of them which they have been given throughout their career. I have a few on my desk at work, which I have been given during my career working with the Navy.
I am still somewhat in the dark on these military challenge medals. I did a seven year stint in the Army late 70’s and early 80’s. Never remotely heard of them. Is it a relatively recent thing?
My understanding is they have a pretty long history, but it looks like it started getting big in the 1980's. Nowadays, it seems like every group has their own. See here for more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenge_coin
No one is really sure the exact origins of their start but there are some good stories surrounding it http://www.dodlive.mil/2017/10/13/the-challenge-coin-tradition-do-you-know-how-it-started/ http://custom.nwtmint.com/news_challengecoinhistory.php
The Secret Service just issued a challenge coin: https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/23/poli...secret-service-government-shutdown/index.html
