Challenge coins. Do you use them, collect them, or both?

Received my first in 2004 from Deputy Sec of Def Paul Wolfowitz and still have it to this day. These coins are recognition when an award/medal is not necessary. If you think they are pointless because they don't help career advancement then you clearly don't understand their purpose.

I took pictures of mine (30 ish), then gave the coins to my grand kids.

I only have the ones that were given to me throughout my career for a job well done that didn't warrant an award (that wouldn't be approved anyway), no one had time for a letter of appreciation. They were given for a job well done, above that of doing your job. They, in my time, were rarely handed out. The few coins I have are my most valuable and memorable things I've held on too since my career ended.

I've bought some that have been made for particular missions. I've never sold or traded coins how ever I have have traded patches for a coin once or twice not knowing I was getting a coin. I've kept them all but at the same time never needed to use one

I have over 60 coins, they are all in a box, in the garage. I don't like people coming into my office and wanting to talk about coins.

I have a dozen or so mixed into the cake tin where I keep such stuff

When I was in right after Desert Shield/Storm and the draw down continued I recieved a coin from another unit by the work I did on their equipment as a thanks for the extra work I did to get them up in status ( I was a 52D then in a DS unit and the FA unit organization maintenance was shit) Meant more to me than any other coin I ever received or had to buy from the units I was in.

I have never bought a coin in my 19+ years. Every coin I have was awarded. I have traded one or two when I had multiple of the same coin. I think they are a cool keep sake to pass down to your kids so they have something later on to be proud of their parents military career. They also make good conversation pieces when on display.

I spent 17 1/2 years in total service. Didn't get my first change coin until I had 15 years in. I didn't even know what a change coin was for or why my BC was giving it to me. The one that means the most to me looks like a poker chip and was from my BC and 1SG. It wouldn't win anything at the bar.

I give them to my Soldiers. They do all the work, anyway. Never cared much for accolades.