The Most Iconic United States Military Challenge Coins

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Challenge coins have long been a hallmark of U.S. military culture. Carried in pockets, exchanged in handshakes, and displayed with pride, these small medallions represent loyalty, sacrifice, and shared experience. While thousands of designs exist across every branch, certain coins have become legendary for their history, rarity, or symbolism. Here’s a look at some of the most iconic challenge coins in United States military tradition.

President Bill Clinton’s Air Force One Coin

One of the most famous presidential coins came during Bill Clinton’s years in office. His Air Force One coin, minted in navy blue with the presidential seal on the front and the silhouette of Air Force One on the reverse, was a favorite among collectors. Clinton often presented it to service members and White House staff during his travels. The coin symbolized both the prestige of flying aboard the presidential aircraft and Clinton’s effort to popularize the modern practice of presidential challenge coins.

President Barack Obama’s 9/11 Tenth Anniversary Coin

For the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, President Obama’s administration issued a special commemorative coin. The coin featured a powerful design. The twin towers framed by an eagle’s wings, with “Never Forget” etched across the reverse. Obama often carried these coins to remembrance ceremonies, sometimes leaving them discreetly at memorial sites. Its design and emotional resonance make it one of the most meaningful presidential coins of the modern era and a solemn tribute to those who lost their lives on that day.

Donald Trump’s Korea Summit Coin

In 2018, the White House Communications Agency minted a bold coin to mark the historic Singapore Summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The coin displayed the profiles of both leaders against their national flags, with the words “Peace Talks” inscribed. Though controversial at the time, it quickly became one of the most talked about challenge coins in history. Collectors rushed to obtain it, and it remains a standout example of how challenge coins can capture important geopolitical moments.

Medal of Honor Recipient Dakota Meyer’s Personal Coin

Challenge coins take on unique significance when tied to individual acts of heroism. Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer, a Marine Corps veteran awarded for his valor in Afghanistan, personally commissioned a custom challenge coin after receiving the nation’s highest military honor. The coin included the Medal of Honor insignia on one side and Meyer’s unit details on the other. Meyer personally distributed these coins to Marines and supporters, making them deeply meaningful tokens of recognition tied to his story of sacrifice.

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) Decommissioning Coin

When the Navy decommissioned the legendary aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in 2017, a limited run of challenge coins was minted for sailors and attendees. The coin featured the ship’s profile, along with its service years (1961–2017). As the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the “Big E” had a storied career spanning the Cold War, Vietnam, and the War on Terror. The coin’s rarity and connection to naval history make it one of the most prized ship coins.

82nd Airborne Division “Operation Just Cause” Coin

In 1989, the 82nd Airborne Division spearheaded the invasion of Panama during Operation Just Cause. To mark their role, a challenge coin was struck depicting a paratrooper mid-jump, with the division’s “AA” (“All American”) insignia. Veterans of the operation often carried the coin as a reminder of their participation in one of the last large-scale airborne assaults of the 20th century. It remains an iconic piece of airborne history.

POW/MIA National League of Families Coin

The POW/MIA coin is instantly recognizable. Matte black with the stark white POW/MIA emblem. A silhouette of a prisoner’s head beneath a guard tower. It also bears the solemn words: “You Are Not Forgotten.” Distributed widely at remembrance ceremonies, the coin honors those who never returned from combat. Unlike many unit-specific coins, this one transcends branch or mission, representing a national commitment to remembering missing heroes. Its emotional weight ensures it remains one of the most iconic designs in military coinage.

Navy SEAL Team 6 Bin Laden Raid Coin

After the 2011 Operation Neptune Spear, which killed Osama bin Laden, a clandestine coin circulated within Navy SEAL and CIA circles. The SEAL Team 6 coin was never officially released to the public, but examples have surfaced featuring the red trident insignia and mission references. Because of its restricted distribution and connection to one of the most significant military operations of the 21st century, it has become legendary among collectors. Its mystique lies not only in its rarity but in the secrecy of its origin.

Pentagon Renovation Coin

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Pentagon’s western side was heavily damaged. During the rebuilding process, a Pentagon Renovation coin was struck and distributed to engineers, military personnel, and workers involved in the effort. The coin depicts the Pentagon’s five-sided shape with a small American flag rising from the damaged area. For those who helped restore the nation’s military headquarters, the coin became a symbol of resilience and renewal.

Air Force One Staff Coin (Modern Variations)

Air Force One has continued to issue unique coins under every President. A particularly notable modern version features a silver-and-blue design with the aircraft’s tail number and the presidential seal. These coins are typically given only to crew members, staffers, and select guests who travel aboard the plane. Because of their exclusivity, they remain highly sought after.

Why These Coins Stand Out

What elevates these coins above others is not just the artistry of their designs, but the stories behind them. Clinton’s Air Force One coin symbolized a modern revival of presidential tokens. Obama’s 9/11 anniversary coin embodied national mourning and resilience. Trump’s Korea Summit coin became an artifact of diplomacy. From the deck of the USS Enterprise to the shadowy world of Navy SEAL Team 6, each coin tells a tangible story of service, sacrifice, or history in the making.

Challenge coins will always be deeply personal reminders of missions, units, or bonds forged in service. Yet some rise above their individual stories to become national icons. Presidential coins, decommissioning mementos, POW/MIA designs, and clandestine Special Operations tokens serve as more than collectibles, they are artifacts of American military history.

Whether carried by a paratrooper in Panama, left at a headstone in Arlington, or exchanged in a quiet handshake aboard Air Force One, these coins embody the spirit of the U.S. military in ways words alone cannot.