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challenge coins

Challenge Coins: The Continued Tradition

by montereypins on January 20, 2010 · 0 comments

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We have shared here about the lore and history surrounding Military Challenge Coins.  As time passes, Challenge Coins are used for more than the traditional military challenge.  Given out for morale, rewards and awards,  today Challenge Coins are given to military and non military personnel alike. Government organizations other then the military branches as well as special interest groups, have Challenge Coins made to commemorate ...

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FLAGS ON CUSTOM COINS

by montereypins on October 29, 2009 · 0 comments

When a friend of mine first came to the U.S. from Puerto Rico, he was amazed by how many American flags were flying on buildings around Chicago. He had never seen so many flags! The American flag is probably the most identifiable symbol of our country. Not only do flags fly on government buildings, such as police stations, fire stations, city halls and courthouses, but ...

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BIGHORNS FOR BATTLE

by montereypins on October 13, 2009 · 0 comments

For thousands of years, the Crow Indians have admired the Bighorn sheep. Known for their large horns, sharp eyes, sure-footedness, great strength and strong heart, the Bighorn sheep are believed to have exceptional power and wisdom. The Bighorn ram, which weighs anywhere from 250 to 500 pounds, “ruts” or butts horns with other rams, just before mating season with the ewes. The best fighter determines ...

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Corporate Coins-A New Way to Challenge Your Employees

by montereypins on July 22, 2009 · 0 comments

U.S. military personnel aren’t the only ones who are receiving challenge coins these days. More and more companies are using challenge coins as a reward for employees who step up during recent projects. It’s a nice memento as well as a token of esteem because not everyone receives the coins. For more than 20 years, The Monterey Company has been creating challenge coins for U.S. ...

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3D Coins

A military customer sent us a wolf image for his unit’s challenge coin. It showed a sepia tone photograph of a menacing looking wolf peering from behind tall grasses. The photo had many subtle shade and color gradations, while the body was partially obstructed by the grasses. “When I saw that photo, I knew it would make a nice 3-D image, but it would be ...

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Odd-Shaped Challenge Coins

Not all military challenge coins are the same. A military challenge coin is a small coin that bears a unit’s insignia and is carried by its members. Traditionally, these coins are given to prove membership and to enhance morale. The tradition of challenge coins likely began among the Special Forces units during the Vietnam War and spread to other units. As officers were reassigned, they ...

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Extra Printing for Emblems on Coins

Military challenge coins help build morale, camaraderie and give soliers a lasting memento of a place in time. Most of the recent requests to The Monterey Company have come from Iraq. They add company mottos along with their mascot images, including black hawks, bulldogs, eagles and snakes. On the backside of the coin, they add many emblems, which represent different squadrons, infantries or divisions. To ...

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3-D Coin Art Garnered from Photographs

Recently, a military customer wanted a 3-D design of a helicopter for one side of his new challenge coin. He didn’t have a drawing that he could send, but he had a photograph. “No problem,” said Paul Stark, president of The Monterey Company, a leading custom-made lapel pin and coin manufacturer. “Send us your photo and we can turn it into a workable design, perfect ...

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Clear Plastic Capsules

Some of the most beautiful designs created at The Monterey Company are on military challenge coins. Some have 3-D molding, dual (silver and gold) plating, diamond cut edging, and inlaid photos. “By the time a challenge coin is created, it’s like a two-sided work of art,” said Paul Stark, president of The Monterey Company that has been creating coins for more than 19 years. “It ...

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The Maltese Cross: a Firefighter’s Badge of Courage

The Maltese Cross: a Firefighter’s Badge of Courage For the past 19 years, The Monterey Company has been creating lapel pins, challenge coins and embroidered emblems for all branches of the U.S. Military, as well as local police and fire departments. Many fire departments request pins and patches that feature the Maltese Cross. For firefighters, the Maltese Cross is a badge of honor and a ...

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