How to Start Collecting Challenge Coins

Every sane person has a knack for collecting something. Whether it’s baseball cards, seashells, or US state quarters, having something to search for and collect is a fun pastime, that could potentially be worth money later down the line.

Are you looking for a new collectible to add to your treasury? If you like history, politics, and the military, then you should be collecting challenge coins.

These collectible coins are unique, in that they are usually presented by leaders in our nation to those who have made great contributions to our society and to our freedoms, usually military and law enforcement members.

But custom challenge coins extend far beyond these reaches today. You can find coins made by many different people, companies, and organizations, allowing you to create a truly unique collection.

Wondering how to collect challenge coins? Keep reading below to find out how to get started today.

Decide What Types of Coins You Want

Your first step when building out your new collection is research. You need to know what types of coins are available, and which you want to focus on. Otherwise, you might just be grabbing any coin you can find, creating a hodge-podge, unorganized collection.

Start out by reading the history of challenge coins. They are known to be given by military leaders and politicians such as presidents to those who served in specific branches of the military. Coins have also been minted to represent specific, notable missions that turned the tide in great conflicts.

In recent years, there has also been a growing use to use challenge coins in governmental offices. So certain departments of federal and state governments may receive coins as a token of appreciation for serving the country in that way.

Police and fire departments also use challenge coins to honor those who serve local departments. Certain units may receive special coins as a way to distinguish members from other branches.

Many times, coins are dated, or list a specific group number, making the coins limited and potentially more valuable.

University coins are also popular, as students or faculty members may receive coins from their school during a certain year. Large companies, such as airlines, may issue coins to their employees after working for a period of time.

And you may also find coins to commemorate certain events, such as a marathon, a competition, a sporting event, and so forth. So when starting to look for rare challenge coins, think ahead of time of which coins you want to focus on.

What’s Your Why?

Once you know what type of coin you want to collect, define why you want to collect them. Knowing you’re why can help you determine which coins to buy and which coins to pass on. Otherwise, you’ll be tempted to buy them all, which may or may not be a good idea.

Do you want to collect certain military coins that represent specific turning points in American history? Do you want to collect police or firefighter coins that represent those who served during our nation’s hardest times, such as 9/11?

Do you enjoy politics and history, and want to collect governmental coins as changes are made in our country?

Knowing what type of coins you want to buy, and why you want a certain coin will help to give your collection an identity.

List Places You Can Find Coins

Next up, you need to make a list of where to find challenge coins. They can be hidden in plain sight at many of the places you already visit.

Sometimes you’ll get lucky and find coins at thrift stores. Because thrift store workers aren’t skilled in knowing the value of collectibles, you can often pick these up for dirt cheap, if you’re lucky enough to find them there.

Pawnshops are another spot where you can find challenge coins, though they will likely be a little more expensive. Antique shops are probably your best bet for locally sourced coins but are going to be priced accordingly.

There’s a chance you can find challenge coins for sale at local garage sales and estate sales. These are often when you will find true gems, as people generally hold onto their coins for life.

And you can eventually turn to the internet to start collecting coins. Second-hand shops like eBay are a good source for finding specific coins.

Buy Your First Challenge Coin

You’ll know your first challenge coin when you see it. Everyone remembers their first coin, and even if it isn’t the greatest, it will probably be the most important coin in your collection.

When you see your first coin, buy it and cherish it. It’s the start of a new journey and it represents something much more than a coin.

Get a Challenge Coin Display Case

As you start picking up coins, you’re going to want to display them. You can buy a challenge coin display case to start showing off your collection.

There are many different types of cases available. You can choose tabletop designs, wall-mounted designs, and many others. Or you can choose a display that fits inside a drawer so that it’s hidden out of sight until you want to see it.

Having a safe place to store your coins will help prevent them from getting lost, and will prevent damage.

Keep On Collecting Challenge Coins

The more that you search for and buy challenge coins, the more you will learn about the process. To speed things up, and grow your collection fast, be sure to connect with other collectors.

They may be able to share their favorite locations for finding unique and valuable coins, so long as they don’t collect the exact same coins as you.

They can also provide tips for getting deals and for selling coins eventually when it makes sense to do so.

Bit by the Coin Bug

So you’ve started collecting challenge coins. You’ve been bitten by the collectibles bug, and it’s only to get worse. You’ll soon find yourself dreaming about coins, but that’s not the worst thing in the world.

Good luck as you scour your local shops for valuable and rare coins. We hope you find a true one-of-a-kind coin out there someday.

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