Caring for Your Challenge Coins
Posted by arun on December 25th, 2014
Army Challenge Coins are a military tradition and is believed to have originated hundreds of years ago. The most relied versions of the origin of the challenge coin in the Army Corp were during World War I. The coins have been valued as symbols for many years. The members carry the coins at all times. If challenged by a member to produce the coin and if the other is unable to then the challenged has to purchase a drink for the challenger else the challenger buys for the challenged.
Army Challenge Coins are rare and should be cherished and preserved for future generations. The pride of owning these challenge coins is a unique feeling, a sense of brotherhood and the ones carrying these know that feeling. Caring for these most cherished coin is of great importance.
• If you have a collection of challenge coins always store them carefully, avoid using plastic holders and wrapping in paper as the chemicals and acids in these materials over a period of time can damage them.
• It should not be exposed to extreme temperatures as that can affect the paint used on the coin and due to oxidation coin will look older.
• Try to use cotton gloves while handling these coins so as to keep the dirt away as cleaning them always is not right. So caring for them in the right manner will keep the coin looking clean and neat.
• In the case of very old coins where the paint has deteriorated one can have it painted by professionals.
The challenge coins have been used in various other fields too. It has been given as awards for outstanding service, given by commanding officers to their members for extraordinary courage and leadership. The Coast Guard is similar to any other branch of the armed services, they too serve the country. They safeguard the domestic and foreign waters as part of their mission. The Coast Guard Challenge Coins are given to men in the command for a job well done.
The Coast Guard Challenge Coins are merit awards, given as a token of appreciation for bravery, even as a retirement gift. It is a collector’s pride. The Coast Guard sector from Portland, Oregon created their own coin it has the official seal of the USCG in the center surrounded by words honor, respect, devotion to duty. The back of the coin contains the word Excellence printed in bright red in the center and United States Coast Guard Sector written on the top with Portland Oregon at the bottom.
Each coin has a story to tell the smudges or marks they bare are the evidence or their past stories. The reading challenge coin forum is a good way to gain insight into feelings the owners had for these coins and how they cherished them.
