| Military personnel know what personalized | | | | government employees even if they were not in |
| challenge coins are, but most people do not. This | | | | the military opened the door. Since that time |
| coin is a collectible coin that has meaning for a | | | | many agencies have commissioned the coins to |
| military mission or a military unit. It means it has | | | | be made for several branches of the |
| the particular unit or a mission engraved on it and | | | | government. |
| is carried by the members of that unit. | | | | Challenge coins, honor coins, unit coins and |
| The personalized challenge coin is carried by all | | | | collector coins - they have been called many |
| branches of the military - the Army, Navy, Air | | | | things, but they all have basically the same |
| Force, Marines, National Guard and Coast Guard. | | | | meaning. The coins are given to those who have |
| All branches have their own insignia. In addition, | | | | shown achievements and/or accomplishments |
| the First Responder coin is an important coin for | | | | that are beyond expectations by their |
| the many who risk their lives to save others. This | | | | commanding officer or leader. |
| includes fire departments, police departments and | | | | Presidents have given them as a way of honoring |
| ambulance services. | | | | the fallen heroes who have sacrificed so much to |
| What is the Significance of the Personalized Coins? | | | | protect home and family. The families of those |
| When these coins are designed they have the | | | | who have given their all in the line of duty to |
| most important meaning for the people in the unit | | | | protect and keep their families and the families of |
| that will be receiving them. Once the personalized | | | | others are the recipients of these personalized |
| challenge coin was only given to those in the | | | | challenge coins. |
| military however today that has changed. Many | | | | They have been given by leaders and Presidents |
| receive this coin as an award for services they | | | | to those who have been wounded in the service |
| have performed. | | | | of their country. As the ultimate 'thank you' the |
| This was made possible by the passage of a | | | | personalized challenge coin can provide the |
| federal law in the 1980s that changed the rules. | | | | recognition that may not be spoken aloud, but is |
| Making challenge coins more accessible to | | | | still present. |