What do you think about people who sell coins they were awarded on ebay?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 12:02:15 -0500

One of mine is on there now. I paid for them out of my own pocket. Have seen 4-star, etc for sale too....

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Nov 5 at 2014 12:12 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 12:12:52 -0500

I will not sell any of mine...but that is not always the case for some. For those that have paid money and had coins made, if you have not given them all out, they are yours to do what you want....if selling them is what you want to do, go for it. I probably won't buy the rank coins...will earn those, but I have purchased a few of the "been there, done that" or base/installation coins.

Response by SPC(P) Samantha Moore made Nov 5 at 2014 12:24 PM

SPC(P) Samantha Moore — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 12:24:40 -0500

I see it as a little disrespectful for both parties (selling the coin and buying the coin). However I can come to understand reasoning behind it depending on what those reasons are.

For example, if I lost a coin I would most definitely try to find and purchase another. If I was in dire need of money and could make some by selling my coin, I would sell it.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2014 12:29 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 12:29:21 -0500

I would never sell mine. But hey..I don't hold it against others.

Response by MAJ Dallas D. made Nov 5 at 2014 12:33 PM

MAJ Dallas D. — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 12:33:13 -0500

I could never see selling any of my coins. I earned them and each has special meaning to me.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2014 12:41 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 12:41:47 -0500

eBay is awarding coins? Lol

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2014 12:49 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 12:49:45 -0500

Please vote on the question too. You might get an electronic coin....Thanks!

Response by SGT Scott Curtice made Nov 5 at 2014 1:04 PM

SGT Scott Curtice — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 13:04:46 -0500

I find the practice both disrespectful to the person that awarded the coin, the unit it represents. I'd much rather see them awarded it to someone else, even a non-veteran, and share the story around it, than the ebay route

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2014 1:09 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 13:09:44 -0500

SGM Private RallyPoint Member I think it is BULL SHIT!!! As it has said by others it is disrespectful. As someone who had a my name on a command coin along with my Skipper, I would be very upset if I came across a coin that we had given out being sold. I know of several people that have across their personal coins being sold. I have high regard for every coin I have been given, and every coin I have given was given for a reason. I would sell my one blood before I sold any of my coins. I have a fit when I momentarily displace the two coins that I always carry. A bit of a rant there, sorry.

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Nov 5 at 2014 1:12 PM

SSG Tim Everett — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 13:12:15 -0500

I earned all my coins, selling it seems disrespectful to all the work or shamming I put into my coins, to say nothing of the unit I was in, or the person giving/nominating me for a coin. I've had to purchase a couple of carbon-copies when stuff happens like my wallet gets lost or stolen, which happened three times in the span of two months. =/

Response by MAJ Vj Gianfala made Nov 5 at 2014 1:20 PM

MAJ Vj Gianfala — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 13:20:52 -0500

Just me. I say throat punch!!!!

Response by MAJ Vj Gianfala made Nov 5 at 2014 1:22 PM

MAJ Vj Gianfala — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 13:22:20 -0500

This really happened!!!!! My ex wife threw out my original Kuwaiti liberation medal and my piece of the Berlin wall( I personally chipped off). 10 yrs later, I had someone at fort lee hand me their original medal saying it meant nothing to them.

Response by MAJ Vj Gianfala made Nov 5 at 2014 1:28 PM

MAJ Vj Gianfala — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 13:28:28 -0500

I gave away every coin I ever got while I was enlisted. Figured it wasn't worth points and wouldn't get me promoted. I regret most of yhem

Response by PO1 Walter Duncan made Nov 5 at 2014 3:57 PM

PO1 Walter Duncan — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 15:57:42 -0500

Sad state of affairs if people need money and are selling their medals. Or could be their children and they just don't care, shameful.

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made Nov 6 at 2014 9:53 AM

SGT Craig Northacker — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 09:53:54 -0500

We did not have coins when I was in - the first time someone challenged me I had no clue what he was talking about. He thought I was lying because I "lost". I was in during and after Viet Nam.

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made Nov 6 at 2014 9:57 AM

SGT Craig Northacker — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 09:57:42 -0500

I was in a small town in Illinois, and I stopped by a pawn shop because I like to look for good buys on guitars and other music-related items. I parked my truck, and as I walked to the entrance, almost every vehicle there had a military decal. These poor people were selling whatever they could to just stay alive. One elderly gent was almost in tears because the pawnshop would not take his helmet liner. I do not believe the pawn shop owner was being nasty - I am sure he had a stockpile of stuff he could never sell, but bought things because the vets needed help.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2014 10:25 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 10:25:06 -0500

Maybe this is just a sailor talking.... I've never seen the value of coins. The coins are cheap. They mean nothing in the grand scheme of things - no points, nada. You can't even put them on a resume and be useful. I realize that for some folks this might seem to be blasphemy because they feel they worked hard to earn that coin. I don't hold anything against someone whose chain of command were too damned lazy to do the write up and stroke the medal through the process to really show the appreciation due the SM - it's not the SM's fault they had a piss poor COC.

For those of you that cherish your coins - remain proud of that coin. You worked hard and in my opinion deserved more.

As for me....save your time and effort if you're trying to impress me with a coin.

Response by Cpl Gregory Hajder made Nov 6 at 2014 12:20 PM

Cpl Gregory Hajder — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 12:20:16 -0500

I got no problem with it. I do not understand the big deal with this coin thing.

The first time I saw one. I was out at a bar with a buddy who was in the U.S. Army. He pulled out one of these 'challenge' coins and told me it was a comand... coin and I had to buy him a beer. I, without hesitation, pulled out a quarter (pre-state) and said that mine was the entire federal government (before it was embarrassing to be part of it) and he had to kiss my ass. Thus ended the trying to get me to buy him a beer with silly coins.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Nov 6 at 2014 12:27 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 12:27:06 -0500

Don't like it, and if they wanted to get rid of their coins then they should try it like the "pay it forward" concept. People walk in my office and say I have a lot of coins, hell I have about 50% of what I have been given. I have been given coins received from other folks before and I have done the same here. If someone really likes a coin I have and there's no real connection with the event or person who awarded it, BAM, you can take it if it is your choice! I have sold coins on Ebay before, but they were coins I designed and purchased myself. They were not COMMAND coins awarded, but rather deployment unit coins and that kind of thing. Needless to say, my GEN Colin Powell JCS coin will always remain in my collection.

Is that a clear enough answer and .02?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2014 12:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 12:29:07 -0500

If they don't want the memories or whatnot, let them. I think it is ridiculous and disrespectful to those who awarded the coins to them, but to each their own.

Response by PO1 John Y. made Nov 6 at 2014 2:06 PM

PO1 John Y. — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 14:06:09 -0500

I don't see many of them as a symbol of honor. They're mainly personal keepsakes so I don't think any less of someone who wants to sell them. I'm sure there collectors out there. So, sell away...

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2014 6:37 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 18:37:13 -0500

I am split on this particular issue, but firm on both sides.

If the individual bought them and wants to resell, I am OK with that. They have the right to do so.

However, if the coin was given, I feel they should keep it to acknowledge the "job well done", and to show respect to the individual/organization who thought enough to give the coin.

Great post.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Nov 7 at 2014 2:51 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:51:17 -0500

I have a solid silver coin given to me by a Hungarian Infantry BN CDR. Pretty cool I thought.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 7 at 2014 2:57 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:57:56 -0500

"Keeps away from my precious!"

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Nov 7 at 2014 3:39 PM

SGT Frank Leonardo — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 15:39:13 -0500

I still have all of mine but maybe some people are looking for 1 or more they lost or maybe someone just wants to depart them for certain reasons which may not concern us. I think they earned so let them do what they want with it as they please.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2014 4:07 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 16:07:06 -0500

Considering I don't have any coins, I would like to. I recieved a company coin but now i cant find it and im upset. I don't think it is a good idea to sell something you earned or was awarded by someone as a token of appreciation. I honestly feel it is a little disrespectful. But to each their own. I'd much rather have them displayed in a shadow box to show how proud I am to have them.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2014 11:06 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 23:06:02 -0500

Its theirs, they earned it, and if it means so little to them let them do with it what they will... I would never purchase a coin that was given as an honor personally; I definitely buy the little souvenir coins from the BX, clothing, etc. but I'd never purchase a coin someone got for a good job... thats kind of scandalous. Though I have sent coins to people (i.e. a unit coin) and received award coins back which was odd... anyways, I think they can do what they want.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2014 11:56 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 23:56:48 -0500

I think while not worth points coins are pretty important to those who take the military seriously. I mean when you spot another hero in uniform you usually do the once over....what badges, deployment patch, nice haircut, professional demeanor. The same thing with someones office...walk in , look for coin display. You can learn much about someone by the coins they display, how they display them and so on. I used to joke about coins being worthless but that is just negative thinking and they now help with my unit spirit. Also if I get a coin for something, I can stilll put it in my NCOER unlike when I get awards. :)

Response by CPL Rick Stasny made Nov 8 at 2014 9:51 AM

CPL Rick Stasny — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 09:51:51 -0500

I have kept my trinkets, the one I still use from time to time is a small Swiss Army knife given to me by the Brigade Commander from the 59th Ordinance brigade. Hey, at least it's useful.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Nov 13 at 2014 7:20 AM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 07:20:56 -0500

I don't understand why anyone would sell them on EBAY. All of mine will be given to my son to keep in the family when the time is right.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Nov 13 at 2014 7:52 AM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 07:52:21 -0500

SGM Private RallyPoint Member Having been lucky enough to receive a few coins, I would never part with them. It is an award much like an Achievement Medal, Commendation Medal, or other award and should be respected as such. I believe coins are and should be earned just like every other award. Consequently, would you sell your medals and ribbons? For me, the answer is not as long as I am breathing.

Response by SSG Christopher Parrish made Nov 13 at 2014 1:19 PM

SSG Christopher Parrish — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 13:19:26 -0500

It is their coin, let them sell it. They obviously don't feel as strongly about them as the person does who awarded them.

I personally will not sell any of the coins I have been awarded, they mean too much.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Nov 13 at 2014 2:19 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 14:19:22 -0500

Coins are personal momentos and only hold value if the person who holds them values them. If they value them so little that they would sell them, then who's to say otherwise.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 4:25 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 16:25:01 -0400

I see 87th troop command

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 17 at 2015 4:27 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 16:27:23 -0400

For the seller, it's your coin, so whatever floats your boat... As for the buyer though, I could only hope they are just replacing a lost coin..

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 17 at 2015 10:07 PM

COL Charles Williams — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 22:07:24 -0400

Lame... The coins are for you, selling them cheapens them. Why would anyone want to buy them?

Response by Amn Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 3:33 AM

Amn Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 03:33:03 -0400

I do feel so bad about it and I would only hope it is done because money is needed but it's like they hold no honor in which they recieved these awards.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Sep 3 at 2018 7:06 PM

SCPO Morris Ramsey — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 19:06:37 -0400

I was visiting a memorial and saw two challenge coins someone had left there. The next day I took my phone to capture a picture of the coins. They were gone! Now that pissed me off!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2018 10:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 22:32:54 -0400

Response by COL Mike Walton made Sep 10 at 2018 7:54 PM

COL Mike Walton — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 19:54:40 -0400

Personally, I treasure all of the coins I have received over my 40+ years of service. I have given some of my coins to well-deserved people for assisting me over the years; and somewhere I still have a couple or four of the Ten Years After the Storm dog tag coins (I haven't found them yet....) I helped to design and distribute.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2018 2:23 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 02:23:00 -0400

Before I just came across this thread, I wasn’t aware that buying/selling military coins was even a thing. I find it a little weird.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 22 at 2018 1:18 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 13:18:33 -0400

I gave all mine away.

Response by SFC Harry H. made Oct 5 at 2018 9:33 AM

SFC Harry H. — Fri, 05 Oct 2018 09:33:56 -0400

Hard up for money. Stopped caring about their military service. Feels the military screwed them in some way. Or just plain ole, never cared about coins.