Published on: 08 May 2023
Last modified on: 21 May 2024
Every organization has its way of rewarding its members with both monetary and non-monetary rewards. Rather than giving bonuses or other monetary prizes, it can mean much more to receive an award like a medal or a challenge coin. Custom Challenge Coins have a long and storied history that includes nearly every government agency, including agencies that are generally secretive and do not like to be talked about.
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The CIA has a series of challenge coins made across several decades that are available to people that are not in the CIA. These challenge coins are being openly traded or sold by people with little if any association with the CIA itself. This is confusing for many people since the CIA is one of the most secretive organizations in the world. It is leading many to ask, "What is a CIA challenge?"
Challenge coins are metal or ceramic coins measuring a few inches across that have a unique design that is special to the organization that ordered them. These coins can be etched, enameled, stamped, or any number of other modifications to create a unique design. Every branch of the military and many other government agencies have multiple challenge coin designs that they use regularly.
Challenge coins are often used as a means of rewarding members with something memorable and exclusive to a specific group. For example, challenge coins designed for the Marine Corps are almost exclusively awarded to Marines. It is difficult for anyone else to get one of these challenge coins since they are unlikely to earn it directly or inherit it from somebody who did.
Government agencies and first responders have challenge coins. It is not uncommon for these agencies to have multiple designs that they use for different purposes. Even organizations like the CIA have challenge coins. These designs are made unique because they are designed with a specific purpose in mind.
For example, a Marine’s challenge coin has the symbol of the Marine Corp and other features related to the Marine Corp. They are often awarded for successfully joining the Marines. Similarly, there are scenarios where other organizations would issue challenge coins internally to employees.
The CIA has a large number of challenge coins commemorating different events. Unlike other organizations, the CIA does not directly advertise or promote anything that it does. The symbols and text used on CIA challenge coins are often coded and secretive in nature. This could make it more difficult to determine what each coin was designed for. However, this is what draws collectors to seek out any CIA coins that they can get their hands on.
The CIA challenge coins are special because the CIA keeps the meaning of their coins secret. This is done through a variety of means, including symbolism. Very few people outside of the original group that received the challenge coin will be able to understand what event it is related to and what the symbols mean.
Another reason why CIA challenge coins are special is that there are very few of them. Given the secretive nature of the meaning behind each coin, these coins are not mass-produced. The CIA does not have an official challenge coin that it uses for specific events. Everything about these coins means something to the right person and nothing at all to the wrong people.
The design of the CIA challenge coins varies greatly depending on which coin you have. However, there are some similarities worth pointing out. CIA challenge coins are generally made of metal since it is more durable and has a heavier feel to it. The alternative to this would be a ceramic coin, which is durable but does not have the same feel.
CIA coins are available as unpainted and painted depending on the design. They generally include at least one coded emblem, as well as a saying related to the event that is difficult to figure out unless you already know its meaning. Here are a few other things that you should know about CIA challenge coin designs:
To avoid directly showing what each coin is about, CIA challenge coins use symbols and coded symbolism. Many of the coins feature skulls somewhere in the design, which is often associated with death. References to locations are also heavily featured in ways that can create loose associations with different places but not definitively tie anyone going to any specific place.
Alternatively, common symbols for different meanings are used so that someone can decipher the overall meaning but would need to know what the symbols are in reference to for it to make sense. Ultimately, the symbols could mean anything, depending on who came up with the original design. Any possible meaning is implied, and there is no way to know for sure if your assumptions are correct.
Like many other challenge coins, the CIA challenge coins often have sayings inscribed on them. These are even more difficult to decipher since they are usually unique to whatever situation the coin was made for without instructions that tell you what unit the coin was made for. However, these are usually operation code names that are not common knowledge.
Just like in the CIA, any group can design and create their own challenge coin. At Custom Challenge Coins, we can help you come up with a design for your coin and customize it to make it truly unique. If you are interested in having your own challenge coins made, check out our pricing guide for a complete list of customizations and prices.
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