Masonic Commemorative Coins
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The History of the Challenge Coin

Custom coins date back in history for many years.  The use of custom coins in the USA dating back at least as far as 1824. There are Campaign Coins from the 1824 election supporting Andrew Jackson for President. It is fair to assume that this practice didn’t originate in that year so custom coins probably date back even further.

The following  story about the history of military coins in the 1st World War, has been passed on to us through a succession of Marines.

During World War I, American volunteers from all parts of the country filled the newly formed flying squadrons. Some were wealthy young men who left colleges such as Yale and Harvard in order to enlist in the military.

In one squadron, a wealthy lieutenant ordered solid bronze medallions embossed with the squadron emblem for every member of his squadron. He carried his medallion in a small leather sack about his neck.

Shortly after acquiring the medallions, the lieutenant’s aircraft was severely damaged by ground fire during a mission. He was forced to land behind enemy lines where he was captured by a German patrol.

In order to discourage his escape, the Germans took all of his personal identification except for the small leather pouch around his neck.

He was eventually taken to a small French town near the front lines where he managed to escape during a night bombardment. During the attack, he donned civilian clothes and fled without personal identification.

After escaping, the brave pilot succeeded in avoiding German patrols until he reached the front lines. With great difficulty, he crossed no-man's land and stumbled into a French outpost.

Unfortunately, the French in this sector had been plagued by German saboteurs, who sometimes masqueraded as civilians and wore civilian clothes. Not recognizing the young pilot's American accent, the French thought him to be a saboteur and made ready to execute him.

Just in time, the American remembered his leather pouch containing the bronze medallion. He showed the medallion to his would-be executioners. When the French captors recognized the squadron insignia on the medallion, they gave the pilot enough time to confirm his identity. Instead of shooting him, they gave him a bottle of wine.

Eventually the pilot made it back to his squadron, where it became a tradition to ensure all members carried their medallion or coin at all times.

This was accomplished through a challenge. A service member would ask to see the coin. If the challenger could not produce his coin, he was required to purchase a drink of choice for the member who had challenged him.

If the challenged member produced his coin, then the challenging member was required to pay for the drink.

This tradition continued through the war and for many years after while surviving members of the squadron were still alive.

Today, military service members often trade these coins while deployed. In some cases a coin can be earned meritoriously for a job well done.

Regardless of how they are required, the history of the challenge coin remains a part of military tradition, and Marines will continue to display them proudly for years to come

 

Prices for Coins

Challenge coin pricing is determined on the following options.  The basic price of the coins listed below and any additional enhancements that may be applied such as diamond cut edges and acrylic cases.  Other optional are available and can be discussed with us at any time just give us a call.
 
Description - Gold or Silver 100 FREE
2D Mold
300
FREE
2D Mold
500
FREE
2D Mold
1000+
1.5" Coin (no color)   3.04 2.61 2.56 2.50
1.5" Coin (one side w/ color)   3.30 2.78 2.73 2.67
1.5" Coin (color on both sides)   3.44 3.05 3.00 2.90
1.75" Coin (no color)   3.34 2.88 2.83 2.78
1.75" Coin (one side w/ color)   3.64 3.23 3.16 3.11
1.75" Coin (color on both sides)   3.94 3.55 3.49 3.44
2" Coin (no color)   3.64 3.16 3.05 3.03
2" Coin (one side w/ color)   4.00 3.63 3.51 3.49
2" Coin (color on both sides)   4.34 4.04 3.99 3.94

Prices for Coin Enhancements

Description - Options Each  
Smooth Cut edges   NC
Diamond Cut Edges  .35 per side  
Clear Coat Epoxy   .35 per side  
Antiquity .45 for 2 sides  
Consecutive Numbering (Stamped) .40 ea
Consecutive Numbering (Engraving) .45 ea
Texture and Granulations  .16 per style
Ridge Cut Edges .50
Glitter .17  
Two Tone Finish Gold & Nickel for 1.5"  .51 per side
Two Tone Finish Gold & Nickel for 2"  .78 per side
2D Molds $125 for 1.50"
$150 for 1.75"
$175 for 2.00"  
3D Molds $150 for 1.50"
$175 for 1.75"
$225 for 2.00"  
Cut Outs   55.00 ea  Note the die fee covers the first two cutouts. Every cut out after two will be $25.00 each.
Black Velvet Coin Box 4.25 ea
Antique Brass Coin Stands 4.75 ea
Acrylic Coin Case   1.25 ea  

How to order Coins  

Decide on a design for both sides

Decide if the coin will be in 3 dimensions or 2 dimensions or a combination of both 

Decide if diamond cut edges will be needed

Decide on a finish, shiny, antique, shade

Decide if color enamel will be applied and where

Decide if  acrylic packaging is desired

Decide how many coins will be ordered

Decide how soon you need the coins in your hands

Provide all this information to CNF Interactive for an itemized quote

Submit quote along with payment to begin order process

Final artwork approval will be required from all customers before production can begin.

Each Challenge coin order includes free custom-design artwork and approximately 30 day production time, with consideration for special holidays, and UPS shipping. Your high-quality, custom-created challenge coins should be shipped within 30 days from the date of your final artwork approval.

 

SAMPLE COINS DESIGNS

1001 1002 1003 1004
1005 1006 1007 1008
1009 1010 1011 1012
6CNF-00109-1.jpg (150425 bytes)
1013 1014 1015 1016
1017 1018 1019 1020
1021 1022 1023 1024
1025 1026 1027 1028
1029 1030 1031 1032
1033 1034 1035 1036
6CNF-00132-B.jpg (123757 bytes)   6CNF-00132-F.jpg (74124 bytes)
1037 1038 1039 1040
6CNF-00128-F.jpg (137886 bytes) 6CNF-00130-B.jpg (91092 bytes) 6CNF-00160 B.jpg (84636 bytes) 6CNF-00160 F.jpg (77744 bytes)
1041 1042 1043 1044
6CNF-00147.JPG (223250 bytes) 6CNF-00152 - F.jpg (137994 bytes) 6CNF-00153 - F.jpg (108612 bytes) 6CNF-00164 F.jpg (209152 bytes)
1045 1046 1047 1048
6CNF-00178 F.jpg (225286 bytes) 6CNF-00178 B.jpg (236495 bytes) 6CNF-00174 B.jpg (256075 bytes) 6CNF-00174 F.jpg (242562 bytes)
1049 1050 1501 1052
6CNF-00171 F.jpg (212235 bytes) 6CNF-00171 B.jpg (165155 bytes)
1053 1054 1055 1056
Granulation.jpg (63297 bytes) plating guide.jpg (515131 bytes)

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Coin Texture Index Plating Guide    

 

 

       
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Last modified: 03/05/10