dkcop says ...

Hi All

I am looking for NYPD challenge coins for my collection, but it seems like noone have ever heard of them. I have seen a generic coin on eBay, but I don't think it's official issued. Any help will be appreciated......??

Ret. John Erfort

 Danish National Police.

MIKIESPLACE says ...

would someone please inform me what "CHALLENGE COINS" are? where did they come from and when? I carry a shield, if i didnt carry a shield i would not wish to be identified then and would certainly not want to have anything else on me identifying me as a police officer. Unless that is not what they were designed for? some one please let an old fart know what's up. 

I sent you a PM with my input from the legend as I've heard it.........

Take a look at my albums in my profile for a ton of pictures of challenge coins!!  PS I'll trade patches for coins!

wiseass0282 says ...

Challenge coins were started in the military I believe.  The idea was each unit would have their own.  You carry the coin.  If at a bar with other members of the unit. A challenge is made.  The person who does not have the coin on his person has to buy the drinks for those who do.   A lot of Police Departments started having challenge coins made up a keep sakes or collector items, but they were also used in the same way with the Police.   Or that is what I have been told anyway.

Makes sence to me John, Thats why you had the stripes.......

The legend goes (as I've heard it), that a well off Second Lt. in the Air Corps of WW I gave each of his troops a commemorative coin which they wore in a leather pouch around their neck. One of the pilots was shot down in Europe without any specific ID and held by  civilians as a spy. Someone noticed the coin around his neck, was ID'd by the coin, and he was safe and sent back home to England. The Green Berets are known to have started this again during 'Nam by exchanging coins to each other.

The idea is once you are "coined" by a group - you can be challenged in the future.

If someone slaps down their coin on the table, you are obligated to slap down the same coin that was given to you by that group.

For example, someone from NYPD has given you a coin. In the future someone slaps the coin down in front of you at a gathering. If you fail to slap down your coin - you owe a round of drinks. If you do slap it down, the challenger buys.

Hard to do unless you're going to a specific event - I have 60+ coins and can't carrry them all! I've designed 3 for my agency and keep one in my wallet. Don't leave home without it!

Cheers, Lee  

I don't have one nor have I seen one. Ralph where can we find them? Mike maybe they never made it across the river?

Huntzman Enterprises is the official maker of nypd coins. google them

-Ralph

The Brit's also have their own version that I was exposed to when I was across the pond...I hooked up with the "flying squad", an elite unit of investigators that handle certain types of crimes..they have/had what they called the "winkle club"...which was they give you a small snail shell  instead of a coin. Other than that (which was a little strange) all the same rules apply that coins have...and those boys can drink!!!

I posted am Album of the NYPD coins I have look in Photos- patchs , badges  & collectables or go to my profile.

 i have some nypd and a papd coin for sale on my website that i am selling www.gifts4kings.com 

Mike he´s got a pair of gonads, why doesn´t policelink crack down on these sites?

I know this is an old post by you can try calling truck one, I know they have them. I realize your out of country but dont have an email for them. 212 477 7420, or truck two since someone said they have them at 212 678 1371.

dkcop says ...

Hi All

I am looking for NYPD challenge coins for my collection, but it seems like noone have ever heard of them. I have seen a generic coin on eBay, but I don't think it's official issued. Any help will be appreciated......??

Ret. John Erfort

 Danish National Police.

 I see the Air Unit has a coin, any idea where I can get one? Thanks!

Bury, if you mean the Aviation UNit you can try calling them at 718 692 1220

Bury says ...

 I see the Air Unit has a coin, any idea where I can get one? Thanks!

I understand the Auto Crime Unit has a new coin, anybody have any leads on where to get one?!  thanks!