Collecting Challenge

by a wealthy officer in the group. One pilot carried his token in a pouch around his neck and, after being shot down and captured by the Germans, it was all he had left of his personal possessions when he managed to escape eventually (and miraculously—as the best stories are oft rooted in miracles) and make his way to a French outpost. The French, however, were suspicious. There had been bomb activity in their sec- tor. The pilot was judged to be a saboteur and sentenced to die. With no ID, all seemed lost, until the airman showed them his “coin.” One of the French recognized the squadron’s insignia and the execution was delayed so the dubious stranger could prove his identity. Wine flowed in place of blood. * * * Challenge coins have no numismatic Ayala, an officer in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps, estimates that his challenge coin collection has well value, but unlike monetary pieces they are over 1,500 pieces in it. Pictured is just a portion of it. born sentimental, gaining more emotional worth as the years press on and pieces As time went on, such “coins” were cre- change hands purposefully—exchanges ated to mark specific achievements: Seal that are built on valor and achievement, of the Year, for example, or Sailor of the hard work, admiration and respect. Quarter. Among Ayala’s collection is a “I love collecting,” says Lt. Carmelo piece he received upon being named Ayala Jr., who has been doing so for Nurse of the Year. Even more spe- EW some 25 years. “It really builds my cifically, some people create their A N morale. It makes me feel good. Receiv- own challenge coins—pieces they ing a coin is a message that says, ‘Hey, will give out to friends, loved ones thank you for doing a good job, for or those who have helped them helping me. I appreciate that.’ These in some way. Most high-ranking OLLECTING coins are very valuable to me.” officials have them. C Ayala, an officer in the U.S. Navy Lt. Ayala is a Mustang—mili- Nurse Corps, works at Branch Medical tary slang for a commissioned Clinic at Naval Air Station Oceana in officer who began his career as Virginia Beach, Virginia. He estimates an enlisted service member. his challenge coin collection at well over One of his most prized HALLENGE 1,500 pieces. challenge coins is that C At press time, there were more than 27,000 of the late Adm. J.M. such “coins” listed in the militaria section of Boorda, the first-ever Challenge Coins Gain Emotional Worth Over the Years eBay—and though Ayala sometimes shops enlisted man to rise to by Amy Drew Thompson for others, he has not purchased a single the rank of four stars. piece for himself. “Most of my coins are “He was responsible special because each is a moment in for many commission- (EDITOR’S NOTE: “Challenge coins” are a relatively new pursuit for collectors of In the military, men and women begin my life,” he explains. “When some- ing programs, and exonumia—tokens and medals and other objects off the beaten path. But while they’re their service as strangers but become fam- one goes to Italy and brings one that’s the reason I’m in their infancy compared with other numismatic collectibles, their value can be incal- ily often forged, quite literally, under fire. from a hospital there, that’s a big wearing my bars today,” culable to those who create and cherish them.) Units that serve, live and sometimes die deal. [That person] thought highly Ayala says, “so I carry his together are transformed into brothers enough of me to bring back a coin in my pocket because it and sisters who rely on one another. coin. If you point at any one of means a lot to me.” otems have long been imbued with power. They represent The origin of “challenge coins” is my coins, I can tell you who gave Why carry challenge coins? debated, but the most common story it to me, when and why.” While Ayala’s poignant rationale is centers on a World War I flying squadron Who gets them? Traditionally, certainly good enough, there are other T clans, families. They tie groups of people together psycho- composed largely of volunteers, each of challenge coins were created reasons a service member might want a whom was presented a bronze medallion to be given out to members of challenge coin handy at all times—not the logically and emotionally, signifying camaraderie. They symbol- a single unit, “but through the least of which stems from the possibility it years,” Ayala says, “they’ve also could save your life as it saved the fabled been presented to other folks as a airman from that French firing squad. ize unbreakable bonds. And over the millennia, such objects have One of the most prized coins in Lt. Carmelo Ay- ala Jr.’s collection is that of the late Adm. J.M. mark of respect, to make them hon- These little medals (or are they tokens?) Boorda, the first-ever enlisted man to rise to the orary members or thank them for an didn’t become “challenge coins,” in fact, taken on different forms. rank of four stars. COINS KIDDER CORP. JR.; AYALA CARMELO LT. accomplishment or outstanding work.” until after they’d already gained popular- 58 www.coinagemag.com COINage February 2013 59 For Ayala, who has had a challenge coin Kidder, himself an NCO, was from history—crests chosen long of his own made, the best pieces are still charged with designing a chal- ago with a given unit’s inception those that have been presented to him for lenge coin for a new scholar- on the obverse—then bolstered a job well done. His most treasured piece ship fund that would benefit by something new, often created was presented to him by a woman he’d his brethren: chief petty offi- in house, on the reverse. never met, a civilian. cers and their children. As the Is collecting these pieces easy “I got paged over the intercom that program’s impetus was raising for civilians? someone had come to see me,” he says, his money for education, he spent Kidder says no, but admits there voice soft with the memory. quite a bit of time researching is a huge eBay aftermarket. “Like, “Someone wanted me to give you this the different companies that massive,” he deadpans. “We see our and say thank you for what you do,” she manufactured them—and what coins there all the time, despite the told him, presenting the “coin” in the cus- they were charging. fact that many of them are limited- tomary fashion, delivering the piece from “And of course,” says Alexander Kid- edition, created in batches of, say, just a her palm to his via handshake. “On behalf der, vice president, chief of operations hundred coins.” of my husband.” and general counsel for the Connecticut- Kidder Corp.’s longtime naval connec- A senior Mustang named Captain based Kidder Corp. Coins, “he found out tions are solid. As such, the company Branson had wanted to thank Ayala for that 90 percent of the stuff is made in One unit, the “Star Warriors,” has been using has been called upon to create multiple taking care of something he’d needed South Korea or China.” Darth Vader’s helmet in its crest for 25 years. coins for the ultra-elite U.S. Navy Special done. At the time, Branson was serving Frustrated with the process and its Warfare Development Group, or as a commanding officer in Afghani- expense, the elder Kidder (Alexander DevGru. You may know the unit stan and could not express his gratitude is his son) decided he could do it bet- by another name: Seal Team 6. in person. ter. “We made that first coin … and “We’ve made all their coins for “This was the wife of someone who everything since has grown out of all the events leading up to the Ayala’s extra-large challenge coin measures about 5½ inches by 4½ inches. It is a United States Army outranks me by a lot—three ranks that.” Business, brisk since the com- raid [and death of Osama bin Europe Coin and was given as a thank-you for those who served in Europe. It is enscribed with “Free- higher,” Ayala explains. “And she came pany’s formation in 2005, has been Laden] and the coins they did dom isn’t free. Thank you for serving.” to the clinic; she presented it to me cor- largely word-of-mouth, growing from to commemorate it afterward,” ity. Why? In order to ensure that service field is growing. Perhaps there has been rectly. Though small it might have been a side business Martin Kidder was run- Kidder says, noting that officials members would remember to carry them, a renewed level of interest in the military and nobody was around to see it, there ning himself upon his retirement into were very specific that its design a drinking game of sorts was born. due to geopolitical conflicts and current was no need. It was between me and her something larger, necessitating Alex’s remain undisclosed. “But within Ayala chuckles when he’s asked if the events. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that husband. It was very meaningful. It was entrance into the picture – a decided a year-and-a-half, one of those custom remains alive and well.

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