More Challenge Coins

[speagle]

Hi Ed,

Thanks for the additional info on the 'Official' nature of some of these coins, it's appreciated.

So ,you know what the next question is going to be , yes ,you guessed it .

How do you know which coins are 'official' and which ones are made up for the collectors market?

I don't know anything about the collecting of these items as they don't fit with any of my collecting interests, but just wondered if there is a way to tell.

One last question, why would you want to have a section on a Military related Forum for all challenge coins that aren't related to the Military?

I would have thought that there must be a general collecting Forum out there somewhere, but maybe not as I can't find one that just deals with Police insignias:)

Regards,

Les

REF #25:

Hi Les,

I'll try to answer to your satisfaction.

First, their is no REAL way to tell if a coin has been received in an official ceremony, other than to accept the word of the owner (just as we do for military decorations) and we all know sometimes that isn't always true unfortunately.

Second, my suggestion to have a general Challenge Coin Forum topic was meant to stand independently, not within the Military or Police areas, yet still be of general interest to all. Again, it was just a suggestion.

Thanks for your comments

Ed

[Tom King]

I have a Metropolitan Police challenge coin from their firerams section which was given to me by a serving officer so they are also in circulation within the UK police and military. This coin was made specifically for that unit and I was told they are commonly traded with members of other specialist units as a sign of fraternity.

[Mervyn Mitton]

I know we were discussing if the Military and Police aspects of these interesting little 'coins' should be split - but, suddenly it's an accomplished fact ! Most of the coins shown were actually Police - and if any section needs some new subjects it's Foreign Police.

Without in any way wishing to start WW3 - may I ask who decided to make the move ?

[Nick]

I moved it to the coin section as I felt it sat better there.

However if you want a police specific challenge coin topic then I will split the relevant posts which probably makes sense and move it back into the police area.

My experience of these coins (the name challenge is a new one on me as well so we all live and learn) has been very much a mixture of Specialist Military and Police right across the world.

[2xvetran]

Hi 2XVeteran,

I don't understand your comment can you clarify please:)

What do you mean by 'dual roles', do you mean you collect Military and Police items ?

When you say you received your FBI coin while serving in Iraq as a soldier, do you mean that it was issued to you by the FBI Field Office as a piece of identification or were you given it by an FBI Agent for helping them out in some way?

Military Police would fall into the Military category as they are a Military Unit and NOT a Police department . If you look in many of the sections of this site you will notice that Military Police items are discussed. Some of the threads on this section already are not Police related. like the 'AIR POLICE' which was the Military Police of the USAF, Naval Department Security which is part of the USN, etc. Some exceptions would be the French Gendarmerie and Italian Carabinieri which would fall into both categories as they have both types of units.

Coin and Commemoratives have a thread of there own, so you are correct that they could be put in there.

Best Regards,

Les

O.K. Les,

I will try to answer a lot of questions with one post.

Regarding the officialness of coins and how to tell. In many cases but certainly not all, coins will be numbered to the recipient (the bottom coin on the right of my post with many coins) I believe the unit holds the roster of whom has received a coin. As far as e-bay is concerned, yes there are many commemoratives, but most soldiers don't care about these. We value those presented to us by Command Sergeant Majors or Colonels and Generals.

As for the FBI coin, I received it from the Baghdad Station Chief as a form of recognition for services rendered to his teams in OIF 1. I was part of an official ceremony where I received the coin, a patch and some other items, much like a change of station ceremony or a retirement. Basically, they were honoring me and a few others for the assistance we provided them during missions. While certainly not a medal, I doubt you will find this coin anywhere else and I value it quite highly. Many times factors such as cross service missions or missions involving civilian agencies prevent or seriously impede the recognition of good deeds. So, coins can often fill the void and ensure that the soldier is recognized while awaiting the possibility of a higher form of recognition.

In regards to Military Police vs Civilian Police, this is tricky. As an M.P. I had jurisdiction over military personnel in civilian environments. I patrolled the local towns where bases were located and worked closely with civilian authorities. If there was an incident involving soldiers and civilians, I would be tasked to resolve that situation on both ends and detain the civilians if necessary. So I would maintain that we are police officers as well. Perhaps it is different in the U.K. but in the U.S. we work with many civilian agencies, locally, state and federally.

I think Mervyn really has the right idea with this thread as the coins are interesting and there are many types to be seen. I posted some of my non police coins so Mervyn could see the styles and types available. I would also mention that one of the coins I posted is from my State Governor, it is given to military, legislative, police, fire, and others who the Governor chooses to recognize. So, could it be police, civil, military??? I guess Nick moving the topic is best for all.

Hope this answers some of the questions.

Scott.

[speagle]

O.K. Les,

I will try to answer a lot of questions with one post.

Regarding the officialness of coins and how to tell. In many cases but certainly not all, coins will be numbered to the recipient (the bottom coin on the right of my post with many coins) I believe the unit holds the roster of whom has received a coin. As far as e-bay is concerned, yes there are many commemoratives, but most soldiers don't care about these. We value those presented to us by Command Sergeant Majors or Colonels and Generals.

As for the FBI coin, I received it from the Baghdad Station Chief as a form of recognition for services rendered to his teams in OIF 1. I was part of an official ceremony where I received the coin, a patch and some other items, much like a change of station ceremony or a retirement. Basically, they were honoring me and a few others for the assistance we provided them during missions. While certainly not a medal, I doubt you will find this coin anywhere else and I value it quite highly. Many times factors such as cross service missions or missions involving civilian agencies prevent or seriously impede the recognition of good deeds. So, coins can often fill the void and ensure that the soldier is recognized while awaiting the possibility of a higher form of recognition.

In regards to Military Police vs Civilian Police, this is tricky. As an M.P. I had jurisdiction over military personnel in civilian environments. I patrolled the local towns where bases were located and worked closely with civilian authorities. If there was an incident involving soldiers and civilians, I would be tasked to resolve that situation on both ends and detain the civilians if necessary. So I would maintain that we are police officers as well. Perhaps it is different in the U.K. but in the U.S. we work with many civilian agencies, locally, state and federally.

I think Mervyn really has the right idea with this thread as the coins are interesting and there are many types to be seen. I posted some of my non police coins so Mervyn could see the styles and types available. I would also mention that one of the coins I posted is from my State Governor, it is given to military, legislative, police, fire, and others who the Governor chooses to recognize. So, could it be police, civil, military??? I guess Nick moving the topic is best for all.

Hope this answers some of the questions.

Scott.

REF #30:

Good explanation Scott. Thanks for your input.

Ed

[Mervyn Mitton]

I do agree with Nick - the very word 'coin' indicates this new section. However, I would like to say Coin Sections gain - is a loss to Foreign Police - who needed the boost as well. Still, the last thing we want is any dissension and perhaps it is for the best. Scott's description was very informative.

One of my best friends was a former Met. Ch.Insp. and was in charge of the Firearm Section. I'm going to ask him if he has any of the Met. one that Tom mentions.

We have really only seen examples from the US and heard of some others - what about the European military and police ? Also, the US would have introduced this into Countries they serve-in - what about Japan and the Phillipines ?

[Adrob]

Mervyn, if I ever figure out how to attach some scans, I can send you some scans of coins from outside the USA, including the Metropolitan Police ones!! Every time I try to upload something, I get a rely that I am not authorised to upload any photos!! Any idea why is this !!

Joe

I do agree with Nick - the very word 'coin' indicates this new section. However, I would like to say Coin Sections gain - is a loss to Foreign Police - who needed the boost as well. Still, the last thing we want is any dissension and perhaps it is for the best. Scott's description was very informative.

One of my best friends was a former Met. Ch.Insp. and was in charge of the Firearm Section. I'm going to ask him if he has any of the Met. one that Tom mentions.

We have really only seen examples from the US and heard of some others - what about the European military and police ? Also, the US would have introduced this into Countries they serve-in - what about Japan and the Phillipines ?

[Mervyn Mitton]

Joe - I think the restriction is something to do with the number of posts you have made - I'm sure someone will explain. I will be very happy to load them for you - and say they are from you. email them to me at cathay@iafrica.com

I think they are very interesting as a field of collecting - how did you start with them ? If the Malta Police have produced one I think you would have a lot of swops available. Mervyn

[Adrob]

Scans on the way..check your mail!!

Joe - I think the restriction is something to do with the number of posts you have made - I'm sure someone will explain. I will be very happy to load them for you - and say they are from you. email them to me at cathay@iafrica.com

I think they are very interesting as a field of collecting - how did you start with them ? If the Malta Police have produced one I think you would have a lot of swops available. Mervyn

[Mervyn Mitton]

Hi Joe - 32 pictures - at my age and fingers, you owe me one ! Anyway, here goes.

These 32 Challenge Coins are from the collection of ADROB (Joe - who is a police officer in Malta). He will post a covering description of each one.I was very interested to see the Metropolitan Police ones - had no idea that they existed. There are some lovely designs - the Specials is very good. For those who say they are not official - yes I can agree - but I could see the public thinking them to be identification, particularly if they were pinned in a wallet.

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]