Last month, I picked up a challenge coin from the clampout in Quartzsite, Arizona.
The Lost Dutchman Chapter of E Clampus Vitus had issued previous challenge coins over the years. The latest is a new one.
In yesterday's mail, I received a challenge coin from the Wounded Warrior Project, a charitable group who has programs and services for wounded warriors, families, and caregivers. I am an annual donor.
Both challenge coins are in the photo below with the Lost Dutchman coin at left.
This morning, I finally emptied my travel bag and got out the challenge coin from the last clampout of the Lost Dutchman Chapter No. 5917 + 4 of E Clampus Vitus.
If I find a challenge coin interesting, I'll buy one. Otherwise, I just stick to buying silver coins.
Here's both side of the coin:
Yesterday, I drove artist Richard Yazzie to his medical appointment at the Veterans hospital in Albuquerque.
Since we got there early, we browsed around the hospital's gift shops.
Most items were veteran-specific (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, etc.). But I did come across some challenge coins. As in other items, most challenge coins were veteran-specific.
However, I did find one challenge coin that commemorated the 80th Anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941.
Here are both sides of the coin:
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| Above, the obverse of the Super Celebration coin. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The coin made for the Super Celebration is actually an better-looking coin compared to the "faceless" ones being issued by the New Zealand Mint for the island nation of Niue.
For the fun of it, I checked Google and didn't find any of these coins for sale. Attendees of the event were given these coins and it appears they're hanging on to them.
As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, I have a few challenge coins in my collection. The most recent one was from the clampout at Tombstone, Arizona issued by the Lost Dutchaman Chapter of E Clampus Vitus.
Another one that I have was from the Gen. George Patton Museum in Chiraco Summit, California. It honors World War II U.S. General George S. Patton.
Here is the obverse:
Here is the reverse:
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While on my clampout trip in Arizona last week, silver rose at or near $26/toz at one point about five days ago.
It has since settled back down and is currently at $24.83/toz according to Monex.
On the subject of the clampout and coins, I picked up a Challenge Coin from the Lost Dutchman Chapter of E Clampus Vitus. It commemorates the clampout in Tombstone, Arizona and the Boot Hill Graveyard, where we held a plaque dedication. It seems these "challenge coins" have become popular with some chapters.
The accompanying photos are of both sides of the coin.
What's a challenge coin, you may ask?
According to Wikipedia:
A challenge coin is a small coin or medallion, bearing an organization's insignia or emblem and carried by the organization's members. Traditionally, they might be given to prove membership when asked and to enhance morale. They are also collected by service members and law enforcement personnel. Historically, challenge coins were presented by unit commanders in recognition of special achievement by a member of the unit. They could also be exchanged in recognition of visits to an organization.
Modern day challenge coins may feature popular culture attributes or organizational values. Modern challenge coins are made in a variety of sizes and are often made using popular culture references, including superheroes and other well-known characters in a way that creates a parody.
I have several challenge coins in my collection, but this is the first E Clampus Vitus-oriented coin I've purchased.
