| The biggest question that is asked is "What is a | | | | and sites. There are a few great resources out |
| challenge coin"? Simply put, a challenge coin is a | | | | there for new collectors and even old ones. |
| non-currency collectible coin from a unit or | | | | Challenge coins are at least a century old and |
| organization that shows off their logo, symbol, | | | | stems from the military. I won't go through the |
| motto, or anything unique from the makers. The | | | | whole story, but usually all Commanders, and |
| biggest category is Military Challenge Coins, but | | | | Installations issue them as a remembrance piece. |
| there are Civilian, Federal, Organizational, and other | | | | These pieces are usually changed on a yearly |
| countless genres. This hobby has become one of | | | | basis which adds value to the older ones as they |
| the fastest growing markets in the world. What | | | | become harder to find. Remember when you're |
| was once limited to mainly U.S. collectors that | | | | getting a coin cheap it's because it isn't worth |
| were prior military has advanced to a global | | | | much and not a hard find. Many collectors' will |
| collecting frenzy. The next big find on a rare or | | | | research and go after "custom coins" which yield |
| perfectly design challenge coin is right around the | | | | the best results when building a collection. Custom |
| corner. | | | | coins are a special breed, but there are many |
| Auctions helped many sellers and buyers unite | | | | terrible designers out there that just throw |
| through the years but in the last three years or | | | | together something cheap and try to pass it off. |
| so major websites and organizations have come | | | | Get to know designers and their products. |
| up to establish credibility to the hobby of collecting. | | | | There are a couple websites that sell custom |
| The next big question is "Are these coins | | | | coins, which are designs that have been minted |
| valuable?" The answer to that is a very big YES! | | | | using in-house designs or designs that are not |
| Some of these coins can reach into the hundreds | | | | easily accessible to everyone. This makes a |
| if not thousands of dollars for certain coins. You | | | | custom coin a very valuable find assuming it was |
| have coins from Generals, Presidents of the | | | | manufactured to a high degree. Use a designer |
| United States, and plenty of other high status | | | | that you know or that is respected if you go |
| individuals. One of the biggest factors in collecting | | | | after these. Finding the right coins that have |
| and finding what you want is what you like. | | | | limited mints are key to owning a valuable |
| If your background is say...Air Force, then you're | | | | collection. Most custom designers mint only 100 or |
| more likely to go after Air Force coins (also one | | | | less pieces of the artwork. Over the years these |
| of the biggest areas in challenge coins since the | | | | are so rare that the remaining ones can earn |
| other branches have only been recently getting | | | | thousands at a sale. Get to know the community |
| into it for a morale stand point). You can always | | | | you buy in. |
| start on an auction site to find a great starting | | | | However you decide to break into collecting these |
| point for your everyday and sometimes a great | | | | timeless pieces of treasure, be sure to read, read, |
| find of coins. Your best finds are going to be on | | | | and read some more. This hobby is not going to |
| websites around the net. Dig some information up | | | | die anytime soon and you will find it extremely |
| and find out what makes a collection from forums | | | | rewards while building friendships along the way. |