First, let’s size this coin up. This coin is in the shape of a cowbell and measures 2.5″ x 2″ in size. This is also a 4mm thick coin however, it’s made from a zinc alloy to allow it to have the added spinner. This cowbell coin raises the bar to what can be created these days. U.S. Challenge Coins is responsible for making such a coin once again. The sheer detail and gleam this coin has is unmatched by most coins on the market today. There is exactly 110 of these coins in the world and you can bet your bottom dollar this will be worth a hefty sum in 20 years. This coin is not yet for sale but will be in May 2008.

We rate this coin a 9 out of 10 being one of the highest rated coins ever. You won’t find this in the bargain bin on eBay, but instead in the fine collections of serious and experienced collector’s around the world. We couldn’t wait for the official release of this coin and had to show it off before it went on sale. This will be a huge buzz and we will update the link to it once May rolls around.

What a better way to buy and sell. This is one site that talks to you, listens, and offers a huge amount of activity. This is not like the other new auction site. However we are afraid to see this opportunity go if they don’t get the right support. We are trying to show our support by helping get the word out on a site that needs us. So Air Force brothers and sisters let’s come together and get the word out. Let’s back this site that is trying to back us. Let’s Go!

The guys from Hurlburt Field did it again with a second coin that really shows of their style. This coin does not have any cutouts, but is still incredibly done. This whole coin is plated with a high polish nickel. They stayed at 1.75” in size but upped the ante with some even more 3D. The Advance Skills Training Team really likes to show off whose top dog in the field and in the challenge coin hobby.

The first coin they did was solid and this is no different with those green feet sticking out like sore thumbs. We love this follow up coin and we think you will too. They minted with U.S. Challenge Coins .com to get this wonderful looking challenge coin. If you have the opportunity to grab this coin while it’s hot we highly suggest you do. They minted a whooping 200 pieces and that’s it…imagine this to be one of the most limited coins from the Combat Controllers. A must have rated at a 8.75 out of 10 by our staff.

The positive note about buying challenge coins is that you have a better opportunity to pick and choose what goes into your collection and reach coins that have a higher beauty and design quality a given coin might have. Coins with low mint numbers are extremely valuable and really hold a rarity others never achieve. People should always research coins when they buy them and find out the history, designer, minter, and anything else they can find out.

Who wants to buy a mass produced coin everyone is selling? There are some that will buy them for the meaning they hold but others will pass to put the little extra special in their coin racks. Either way, the best advice we have is to stay away from most eBay dealers and go direct to the source like websites that specialize in coins. Know whether they are resellers and cutout the middleman. Know how to get great deals by being informed by a challenge coin community. There is almost no reason anymore not to be informed.

Whether you’re in the market for an Army coin, Police coin, or a Custom Painted coin you will find great deals all over the new coin auctioning block. There is no doubt this will be one of the hottest places for buyers and sellers to frequent. Challenge coin auction have increased from an average of 2800 listings per day in Jan 07’ to almost 3800 listings in Jan 08’. This shows serious expansion in a once unknown hobby to many.

Where we once though the market was saturated with deals from sellers around the world we have been proven wrong only to find out the people yearn for more. Challenge Coin Auctions .com has slashed prices to free and more for the celebration of opening a serious auction place where people earn more without handing over as much to the site itself. Check them out today and you will be glad you did!

There’s a military wiki that we heavily support out there that needs support to grow. We feel pretty serious about information obviously or we wouldn’t blog. If you know wiki or just want to help through participation then your help is needed and we can all gain from like this project that USCC has put on.

There is no catch other than helping the military learn about the military and this is obviously not coin related but something that can help any Airman out there. The wiki was established in early 2007 and has grown a good amount but there is so much out there to talk and learn about that it always can be added to and people love information at their fingertips. It’s a more focuses project that people can really get into. If you want to add some great Air Force information then please get in and show people you care enough to help. This not only helps your writing ability but also gives you something to be proud of.

I don’t know how many people get into retirement coins because that are very personal but from time to time you run into some really cool ones. We ran into this beauty and have to say not only does the detail speak volumes but the 1.5” small statue packs a massive punch to accompany the Joint Chiefs of Staff emblem on one side.

The Security Forces obviously had a SNCO that took coins serious enough to do this for his retirement. With that said, MSgt Delgado, Ret. God Bless you for putting this puppy out there for collectors to grab. Anyone that collects anything even close to Security Forces coins should be head over heels for this little tuck away. The brass keeps the coin looking traditional while the rest gives the coin a very manly finish with nothing held back. Another fine coin which we would rate a solid 7.5 out of 10, and we rate tough.

There was a very cool coin that was done recently with about a 7-month lead time in the design stage. This coin is nothing short of amazing from the CE (Civil Engineering) side of the house. The particular section is the Pavements & Construction Equipment Operator department (like they are actually called that, maybe shop? work center?). Either way this gold and black beauty has found its way to our displays. The badge is 3D on this 1.75” beauty and surrounded by a nicely done texture of micro sandblasting. The other sandblasted section is inside the gear on the front of the coin, otherwise the coin is wrapped in a high polish gold plate. We easily rate this Air Force challenge coin in a top class and only 110 known pieces in the world make this one of the most serious have to adds in the hobby today.

Collecting AF coins is bigger than it seems and at the end of the day your coin display shines or looks like shit. We will help you find the coins to stay away from and the real winners that are going to take your rack above and beyond.

A blast from last May 2007, when a challenge coin design won the contest at U.S. Challenge Coins for best design. They offered a contest for the winner to receive a free mint of the design and 20 copies to do whatever with. The winner was this coin that represents the U-2 from Beale AFB, CA. The coin is laced with 3D and high polish gold plating. Needless to say the end result is amazing for this 1.75” coin. Besides with only 50 in existence how can you not afford to pick one up.

This coin has never seen any kind of mass production line. The U-2 is special as any Airman knows since there isn’t many places that operated them in history. Beale was one of the lucky host bases. The aircraft are special from the fuel they use to the job they perform and their breed of challenge coins certainly go above and beyond when you do happen to get one.

There is a new place for people who collect to come together and check out what is going out there which isn’t branch specific but still meets our expectations of a great playground to meet others with coins we may want. Anyone that is big into challenge coin trading should love this place as it’s huge. We can make groups like Myspace, shoot the wind in the forum, post classifieds for trading, and get some great information on the news of the coin world all in one site.

I guess it doesn’t get to much better than that. So all you challenge coin nuts out there check out Challenge Coin trading .com as you will thank us later for telling you. Trading is fun and it’s a way better alternative to buying coins out there when you have some good stuff to trade in return. Buying challenge coins can make you hesitate a lot because some coins go for a nice bit. In the end it’s just great to have an alternative to the norm.