Challenge Coins! Symbols of Achievement

Challenge coins are dignified symbols of achievement and membership. Like any object, it’s normal to take them for granted eventually.  Answering a few questions can bring context and distinction to any coin, especially a custom coin that signifies an extraordinary achievement.

Have you ever wondered, what is the most expensive coin ever made? Well, that honor goes to the Flowing Hair Dollar, minted in 1794 and priced at $7.85 million. This should make anyone think before being careless with their loose change.

Since history gives us a sense of perspective, what is the oldest coin ever made? That would be a coin found in Efesos, an ancient Hellenistic city in Asia Minor, believed to be 2,700 years old. The coin features an engraved lion head, while crafted from electrum. No, this coin should not be used at the vending machine for your pre-lunch snack!

Since fame gives the world value, what is the most renowned coin ever made? That distinguished honor goes to the 1804 silver dollar, which wasn’t actually minted until 1854. The coin's creation is an intriguing tale, and it has to do with Andrew Jackson, Asian kings, corrupt mint employees, and other bizarre circumstances. The coin is actually a forgery of a coin that mistakenly got made and is now considered authentic for collectors. While it's not a custom coin for an achievement, it is a coin that achieved quite a bit of its own notoriety.

Art provides the world meaning, which leads us to wonder what the most famous coin found in movies? That would certainly have to be Two-Face’s vandalized coin in the Batman franchise. However a closer runner up might be any coin used by creepy Anton Chigurh in “No Country for Old Men." He flipped his coin to see if he’s going to let a random person live.

Beyond all of these interesting facts, all of this should be a reminder that any challenge coins in your possession might eventually become very valuable. Once money, history, notoriety, and art are done with it. Take care of them!