United States Secret Service Challenge Coin Spotlight

Challenge coins have evolved from a long-held military tradition to popular accessories for police and fire departments, government agencies, schools and even businesses. They are valuable tools that acknowledge, celebrate and honor achievements, accomplishments, and milestones.

Custom challenge coins are memorable keepsakes designed with a purpose. Each coin features specific details that make it special to the recipient. Government agencies such as the United States Secret Service each have their own unique challenge coins and traditions.

The U.S. Secret Service has a long history, with a mission of protection and investigation to ensure the security of our country. We recently worked with the Baltimore, Maryland field office of the Secret Service to produce a custom challenge coin honoring their branch. The design blends Baltimore's and the nation's history and local landmarks to create a memorable design.

Secret Service History

The United States Secret Service as we know it today began in 1865 as a bureau of the Treasury Department to combat counterfeit currency after the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln reportedly signed the order creating the bureau the same day he was assassinated.

The agency played no role in protecting the president until after the assassinations of two more presidents, John Garfield and William McKinley. Following the McKinley assassination in 1901, Congress informally requested the Secret Service provide presidential protection, and in 1902 the organization did just that. Later legislative actions codified and expanded service's protective role. The agency became the country's first domestic intelligence and counterintelligence agency, though the Federal Bureau of Investigation later took over those responsibilities following that agency's creation in 1908.

Today, agents work in field offices to gather intelligence, assist in tactical operations, and investigate electronic and financial crimes. Protection of the nation's highest elected leaders and other government officials is one of the agency's main objectives. Since the agency's formal acceptance of the role of protecting the president, one, John F. Kennedy has been assassinated. Secret Service agents have successfully prevented the assassinations of others, including Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump.

In addition to the president, the Secret Service's protective role has expanded over the years to include the vice president, the president-elect, the vice president-elect, and the immediate family members of all those; former presidents, their spouses, and their children under age 16; those in the presidential line of succession; major presidential and vice-presidential candidates and their spouses; visiting foreign heads of state and heads of government; the secretary of the treasury; the secretary of homeland security; and others as directed by the president. by law, the president and vice president cannot refuse Secret Service protection.

Honoring Service

Custom challenge coins are designed with a purpose. They tell a story, represent membership, and honor past accomplishments. This particular challenge coin for the Secret Service's Baltimore field office is simple in shape but filled with outstanding attention to detail.

The coin features a standard round shape and a similar composition on the front and back, though the details are different. Thanks to its clean layout and classic approach, the imagery, logos, and text pop. The use of color is subtle, and it makes each small element stand out from the antique base. The coin is an excellent example of a timeless design and outstanding use of 3D imagery. The details of each image are thoughtfully placed and stand out. A well-balanced design makes for a memorable coin.

The front of the coin is a dedication to Baltimore's past. The coin's center features a 3D image that adds texture to the coin. The image features an iconic view of the city's Inner Harbor and the skyline. A submarine and a cutter ship pay homage to the city's past, while a small crab honors its tie to the sea and love for seafood. The details of the image are incredible, from the water's wake to the architecture of the buildings behind it. A black ring borders the imagery with text that reads "United States Secret Service" along the top and "Baltimore Field Office" on the bottom. A representation of the Baltimore city flag and the Maryland state flag finish off the front of the coin.

The coin's reverse is similar in layout to the front, though the key details are different. The design includes an iconic image representing the bombardment of Fort McHenry, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write the United States national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." The fort's unique shape is detailed, with vividly clear ships and explosions. The legendary scene is an homage to the city and its place in United States history. A Secret Service badge is located over the top of the image, honoring the agency's past and representing its future. Encircling the 3D details is a border that includes a representation of the American flag.  The top portion of the border is blue, while the bottom is red and white. Text across the top reads "The Bombs Bursting In Air" in the same antique gold as the coin's base.

This remarkable challenge coin commemorates the dedication, work, and duties of the Secret Service while honoring the Baltimore field office. The coin includes rich details that have meaning and celebrate the city’s past. The design also honors the Secret Service’s mission of providing protection and conducting investigations. At ChallengeCoins4Less.com, we take pride in creating custom challenge coins that honor excellence and loyalty.

If you'd like o create your own custom coins to honor events, occasions, groups or individuals, we're happy to help. Call us toll free at (855) 272-8451, or email us.

Already have a design in mind? Great! Fill out our no-obligation free quote form and we'll send you a free digital proof of your design. We'll work with you every step of the way to ensure the design you envision looks exactly the way you want on your coins. No matter what milestone you want to commemorate, we can craft custom coins you'll be proud to distribute, carry and display. We look forward to serving all of your custom coin needs!