Challenge Coins. Where do you keep them?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 19:45:56 -0500

I have been contemplating taking them to my office or just leave them at home.

Is it vain to place your coin out in the open?

Where do you keep yours?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 7:45 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 19:45:12 -0500

I keep my coins in my desk drawer, but I may one day keep them on display, so I don't think it's vain to do so.

Response by COL Terry Schooler made Nov 30 at 2014 8:03 PM

COL Terry Schooler — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 20:03:21 -0500

I keep mine in my home office, but when I had an office (opposed to the cubicle I currently occupy), I kept them there. It can spark up some pretty cool conversations with all sorts of different people, so no, not vain.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 8:09 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 20:09:13 -0500

When I was a recruiter I kept them at the office on top of my desk. Since I've returned to mainstream army they stay at home.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 8:51 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 20:51:33 -0500

I have a big cherry wood case that I hang on my office wall. I had to modify it for some of the thick, large, or odd-shaped ones.
I get lots of compliments on it.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Dec 1 at 2014 12:19 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 00:19:38 -0500

I always thought about having them on display on top of a wet bar in my final retirement home under a layer of resin. It is relatively easy to do. My drawbacks have been.....................................
I keep moving, I lost the home in the divorce, and I quit drinking. But at one time.........I had a decent plan.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 1 at 2014 12:58 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 00:58:21 -0500

1SG Private RallyPoint Member, I just make sure I have one in my pocket!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 1:07 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 01:07:52 -0500

As soon as my house hold goods arrive, I will display mine as well. I have an old PX plain jane one, however as a fellow Sapper I am sure you can appreciate a few good Engineer Coins.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Dec 1 at 2014 1:51 AM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 01:51:51 -0500

I keep mine at my house. Eventually, I will put them in a shadow box with all of my other stuff, next to the coolest shadow box ever, my Grandfathers.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 5:31 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 05:31:45 -0500

On the wall in a coin case from Medals of America.
http://www.medalsofamerica.com

Military Medals | Challenge Coins | Military Gear | MOA

Make Medals of America your premier source for Military Medals. Find a great selection of Badges, Patches, Rank, Rates and Insignia, military clothing and more.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 5:37 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 05:37:05 -0500

I keep mine at home in my room, however I always carry one in my wallet in case I get coin checked.

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Dec 1 at 2014 8:39 AM

SSG Tim Everett — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 08:39:12 -0500

The one that matters I keep in my wallet in a pocket-sleeve. The rest are in a box in a storage closet. I suppose I should mount them or display them, maybe under clear epoxy resin or a sheet of glass on the table.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Dec 1 at 2014 3:39 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 15:39:15 -0500

Here's mine on my desk in a case that my Soldier's got me about 10 years ago because people used to come and steal them off my counter. Next to it you will see my RP business cards, my Mr. Burns that my Soldier's got me with an M4, and my RP Member of the Year award. What you can't see in the picture is the pile of work that's been piling up since I been on con-leave.

Response by LCpl Clif Crosswhite made Dec 1 at 2014 4:40 PM

LCpl Clif Crosswhite — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 16:40:18 -0500

I say display them they show your accomplishments. Be proud and flaunt them.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 1:02 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 01:02:42 -0500

Top...mine are proudly displayed in my office.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 3:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 15:18:39 -0500

I keep one in my wallet at all times, and there is another one in the pocket of my Class A uniform. The rest are scattered throughout drawers in my house with no order or organization. Every now and then my son will come up to me having found one and ask me what it's for. I get to tell him a story about when I was in that unit or got that coin, he walks away and we're both the better for it.

Response by SFC Vernon McNabb made Dec 2 at 2014 3:29 PM

SFC Vernon McNabb — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 15:29:39 -0500

I made my own display for some of my coins. I have the rest in a mahogany cigar box I got while in Honduras. The box is full and some coins are on top of the box. Guess I need to build a display big enough for them.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 1:15 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 01:15:07 -0500

I just added two more Coin holders from my S-3 NCOIC. Very nice display case. What do you think.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 2:53 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 02:53:23 -0500

I have a coin tree to keep my coins on.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 3 at 2014 7:44 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 07:44:32 -0500

In whatever footlocker or box I happened to throw them in after I got then forgot them.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 2:06 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 14:06:55 -0500

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2014 12:16 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 00:16:36 -0500

Honestly...my Mom has them. I was low-ranking when I worked as Public Affairs during my deployment and I feel like I got some of them because I was sort of in the right place at the right time. Now, there are a few that I'm legitimately proud of that I got from the commanders that were in my Brigade and knew that I did actually work hard...but when I got one from General so and so who met me ONE time.. eh. It makes her happy to have them plus I'm always worried that I'll lose them.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2015 5:32 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 17:32:02 -0500

I just leave them on the dresser. Maybe when I retire and have a permanent home with a man cave they will reside there.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2015 2:39 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 14:39:20 -0500

Mine are displayed on a bookcase that sits right in front of my desk in my office. Over the years they have started a lot of conversations with both servicemembers and their families.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2015 1:02 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 01:02:42 -0500

I have mine on my dresser, right by my Bed for right now, until I get back from Korea.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2015 8:29 PM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 20:29:19 -0400

Where I keep my challenge coins, along with my grandma and my good friend Jeff.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2016 12:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 12:30:04 -0500

Mine are in a dusty pile on top of my dresser. I recently had one fall behind the dresser, lord knows how long that will be there.

Response by Sam Carter made Mar 29 at 2017 1:40 PM

Sam Carter — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 13:40:20 -0400

These pictures are courtesy of our company http://www.challengecoins4u.com

I would suggest keeping them on a challenge coin holder which you can easily find on ebay / amazon.

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Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2017 1:46 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 13:46:23 -0400

This is a Surf Board my wife got me.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2017 1:48 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 13:48:13 -0400

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2017 7:41 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 19:41:53 -0400

My daughter made me an awesome display case for mine which I keep at the office.

Response by TSgt Dawn Premock made Apr 1 at 2017 10:02 AM

TSgt Dawn Premock — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 10:02:19 -0400

Before I retired, I had them displayed on my desk. Now they are packed up and I have even more to put up. I have a 2 yo grandson who would get into them no matter how high I put them.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Apr 1 at 2017 11:13 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 11:13:50 -0400

1SG Private RallyPoint Member I keep them in my "Love Me" room along with my eagles!

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Apr 1 at 2017 1:45 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 13:45:30 -0400

Well I only have one. It was given to me at Mighty Oaks Warriors Program which is PTS treatment program. It is the only one I have to my name. As I understand it, one does not purchase ones own challenge coins but it is received from someone else. So how does someone with a collection as large as the one pictured above happen to acquire so many?

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Apr 1 at 2017 2:10 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 14:10:01 -0400

Since I wrote my entry a few minutes ago I have been thinking and yes I know that is sometimes not such a good idea ;} Anyway, is it appropriate for one to purchase one's own coins? I have run across coins from places and/or units that are part of my history and the coins are pretty cool. Is there a coin etiquette, either officially recognized or in the folk lore of coins? I would really like to know more about this. I have been and antique dealer for a good number of years and an antique and militaria collector for my entire life, at least since it ETS'd (or as my youngest son - age 40 - would say "junk hoarder" as evidenced by the fact I had to build a 320 sq/ft shed in the back yard that was water tight, wired for lights and padlocked barn doors and it only took about 6 months to fill it. I think it was at that point my wife and I started selling on eBay and then actually got a retail location and bought and sold at all the peddler faires we could get to. Anyway, what this is leading to is that I would purchase entire estates of the military property left behind by deceased veterans. There were certain things I would not sell, I would donate to the Soldiers Museum in Sacramento, but I often times came across challenge coins and not knowing anything about them I sold them off in my shop right along with all the other militaria. Wish I had held onto the coins now though. Short story made long.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Apr 1 at 2017 4:28 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 16:28:06 -0400

I just got tagged in this discussion 1SG Private RallyPoint Member which you started long before I joined RallyPoint. It was a RallyPoint summary of questions headlined "What is the history of the Blue Cord?" which got my attention as an infantryman.
I have a few coins in various places in storage in my mother-in-laws house. We have been caring for her since June 2014. In our next house I am looking forward to going through the boxes and finding my awards with citations, plaques, certificates, coins etc.
Most of our stuff is in boxes and I expect it will be like Christmas as a child when we open the boxes at our next house and find the article we forgot we had as well as what I expect to find.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Apr 1 at 2017 7:25 PM

SFC William Farrell — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 19:25:09 -0400

1SG Private RallyPoint Member Take them to work Top. When I worked for Navy and Air Force as a civilian I had my display at my desk, usually had plenty of comments. Sometimes it put the member I was dealing with at ease, other times it was a conversation piece. This is the display I had at my desk, now its at home since I retired from life! Be proud of where you've been and who you met. By the way, my personal coin is fifth row down, third and forth over from right showing the front and back.

Response by SFC George Smith made Apr 1 at 2017 10:33 PM

SFC George Smith — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 22:33:24 -0400

in the Jewelry Box...

Response by CPL Eric Escasio made Apr 1 at 2017 11:47 PM

CPL Eric Escasio — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 23:47:29 -0400

I had only a few but I was proud of them until someone decided to steal them when I wasn't in my apartment when I was hospitalized for 3 weeks in 2009. Priceless to me worthless to them whom ever stole it, even my deployment flag they took. Good times and good memories are all that remains of them but alt least I earned and had them once.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 2 at 2017 11:29 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 11:29:49 -0400

On the office wall...

Response by SGM David Simpson made Apr 2 at 2017 5:24 PM

SGM David Simpson — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 17:24:47 -0400

I'm retired now and mine are in my living room.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 3 at 2017 6:05 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 06:05:45 -0400

All over My Bookshelf and Computer Desk!

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Apr 3 at 2017 1:18 PM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 13:18:36 -0400

I give mine away. Never cared for them.

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Apr 3 at 2017 4:14 PM

SSG Richard Reilly — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 16:14:07 -0400

Was hoping to see some of the ones I designed here. But I store mine in the basement in a box until I can find space to break out my Army cool stuff. Here are some of mine though had a rack but it got too full.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2017 10:15 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 10:15:29 -0500

I made my own American Flag coin holder

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 9 at 2018 11:43 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 23:43:52 -0400

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 26 at 2019 6:09 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 18:09:25 -0400

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 26 at 2019 6:09 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 18:09:43 -0400

Table in my office...