1. How did you get into collecting challenge coins?

I got into collecting challenge coins as a teenager when I was involved with the Civil Air Patrol. We were co-located on a Army installation with a few units. Also we did a fair amount of stuff in the summer and on weekends at Ft Devens. Through CAP I got to know some 10th SFG (A) troops. After getting to know them better I got a few coins from different members of the unit. These were my first coins and are among the most important in my collection to me as they are genuine and were given to me by the issuing authorities

2. That’s a great first answer to start off with! Now, what field do you concentrate on in your collecting? And why? (yes this is 2 in one, I need a freebie somehow)

I have focused my collection pretty much exclusively on Special Forces and Spec ops related commands, units, etc... The reason is twofold. One because by chance that is where I got my start with my first authentic coins and the second is because they are by their very nature an exclusive and hard to come by commodity, even more so at that time. I would even add the difficulty in finding a genuine and authentic coin is compounded when you’re a civilian, and you have no active ties to the service. I would also like to add the difficulty on finding these coins is further made more difficult since they are very suspicious of strangers and people they don't know.

3. We are on a roll here, what was the most difficult coin you received and what’s the story behind it?

The "hardest" to obtain coin I have was one I was given by a family member. I say it's the hardest to obtain because there are that I'm aware of no more than 150-200 of them in existence and it was from a unit that is "Black ops". I actually received it at a family gathering over Fathers day weekend. I have yet to see anything like it and info on the unit is non-existent. The coin was a GWOT related coin, and had to do with a CJSOTF style task force. In speaking with the person I got the coin from they were involved in the -3 shop in the command structure of this unit. Additionally not only because this is a current "real world" unit and one which is currently in service as well as being an authentic coin, combine to make this my "hardest coin to get".

4. As a collector what do you think the hobby is missing most?

Solid reliable information on "authenticity" and standards against fraudulent knock offs. An example may be like my first 10th group coin which I got. I got my from the unit and now there are identical knockoffs all over the internet. It's frankly damn near impossible to tell the difference. There also appear to be a lot of unscrupulous sellers which will sell something and purport it to be that which it actually isn't. They will label a coin that was a knock off of an actual unit and then make factual or spelling errors which highlight the fact that it's fake. One more recent example may be the NAVSPECWARCMD coin. There is a seller on eBay who is selling them with the proper, albeit poorly "pressed" front on eBay of the correct command image. It's DEW2227, and the kicker is I have actually found he has some authentic coins as well for sale and he may not even know that he's selling a "knock-off . The difference comes in with the flip-side of the coin. The real coin DOESN'T feature the Dept of the navy seal on it. The authentic one has a completely different "flip side" which is common to the new and older authentic NAVSPECWAR coins.

5. Ok, we are at #5, are your fingers hurting? What’s the best thing you found in the hobby besides good coins?

Somewhat, but I figure in the internet age we're all predisposed to carpal tunnel anyway. The best thing I have found is that there are some decent people in the hobby who are genuine and are will help you out and answer questions as opposed to just looking at it from a revenue stand point. Another great thing is getting to know some of the vets and hearing their stories, as well as getting exposure to some of the more unique pieces that have been made and designed by the different units. An example of this is I got to talk to one guy who was selling a coin from the Vietnam era one of the ways you could tell it was authentic was both from the details provided by the seller about the coin, as well as their knowledge of the units and their histories. All of this is easily verifiable, and at the same time hard to fake for a casual fraudulent or revenue biased seller. The particular coin I am mentioning had to do with the MACV-SOG Mike Force units and their Hmong counterparts who served alongside them in battle.

6. What is the most you ever spent on a coin?

The most I have spent is 190.00. That was for a coin which I knew to be 1000% authentic, I knew what the 'real' deal looked like before buying it and it is simply such a rare coin that I knew another opportunity may not present itself to own it.

7. A follow up question, was the price tag worth it?

Yes, I feel it is worth it, because it is a coin which is important both in a historical sense as well as what it stands for to both the unit and me. It's something that will hold a special place in my collection and I would never sell. That's why I spent the money. I knew what I was buying, felt it was worth the cost and I'm happy with that. Also I hope the person I got it from is happy knowing that they sold it to someone who places a value above the potential for resale on this item.

Really these coins by their nature hold a value which can't be measured in dollars and cents. they hold immense pride, and are a sign of accomplishment amongst themselves. It is for the SF arena anyway (I'm not sure about others) something which is given by men and women that are already by their very nature exemplary just by achieving what they had to, to become a member of their units. Now to further that by being recognized as "noteworthy" by a commander or peer among extraordinary people is really something. That's my .02 anyway

8. How do you display your coins?

Currently I don't display them at all. I have them put away in a box. I keep them protected in either a PVC pouch or hard plastic case. I'm working on getting hard plastic cases for all of them. As for a "public" display I'm still searching the right answer for me to that. Personally I feel that a shadow box even with a mirror limits the visibility of the back side of a coin. I have been thinking about trying to purchase a "watch" display case or one which would allow the coin to rotate in a fixed stand freely so that both sides can be seen easily. I have as of yet to find the "perfect solution”.

9. As I think most have yet to find it as well. Does anyone ask about them when they see them?

The most common question I get when someone sees my coins is "where can I get one?" I also try to explain what I know about the unit or coin, as well as where they came from or what it symbolizes. The vast majority of my coins are authentic although recently I have purchased some which are questionable in their authenticity. I have recently started to make a new part of my collection for those, away from my "real" coins.

10. Would you ever go to a challenge coin convention?

I would go if for nothing more than for the experience, to see what’s out there and meet others who are passionate about the hobby. Realistically though I think it would be difficult to organize as many of the "real" collectors are "quiet' people who keep their earned coins to themselves. I think the key to success there would be to balance the commercial interests with those of 'the average collector'. I don't think a 'show' of only the larger mints and manufacturers would be all that interesting.

11. Would you ever travel to meet another collector?

I can't say that I would see that being the sole reason for a trip. I would certainly be open to it if I were in the area or had a reasonable distance to meet up with someone passing by. Personally though, I don't see myself hopping a flight just to meet someone and see a collection, unless of course it was particularly extraordinary.

12. If you had to take a guess of how many collectors are in the U.S. what would it be?

That's a good question. I guess it would be hard to answer that as anyone could be a 'collector'. I guess there are a lot of veterans out there as well as people like myself, so a rough guestimate has to easily reach into the 10's of thousands.

13. Would you give back to the hobby in information or education wise through writing or talking to other collectors?

Sure, I would be willing to share the little bit I know about things with others and what I could to further the hobby.

14. What’s the best challenge coin site out on the web currently?

Aright a few of my favorites are the challenge coin assn, challenge coin auctions, and two sites that have been around for quite awhile and have pics of authentic coins are http://www.aircommando.com, and http://www.militarycoins.com/. Whoever the guy is that used to own military coins and has that collection has some stellar coins which I'd love to get my hands on.

15. Do you expand past challenge coins say into patches, pins, or other things like that?

When I was in my teens I had a military "hatpin" phase but I haven't gotten back into that since I started with Challenge coins. The coins are pretty much all I do in that realm. That's not saying I wouldn't like to get my hands on a genuine Yarborough knife or anything though.

16. Have you had any negative experiences with the hobby so far?

I have to say the most negative experience I have had was being misled by a seller who claimed his coin was authentic. After buying it and doing some research I found this wasn't the case. Its one thing to know your buying a factory overrun, reproduction or replica, and quite another to purchase something you believe is authentic and have that not be the case. I actually brought it up to one guy and he said…"oh, well".

17. Wow, that’s ridiculous. Where do you see your collection in 5 years from now?

That's hard to say. I hope it is a lot more comprehensive. I have found my collecting goes in "spurts" so to speak. When I have the means and opportunity to acquire pieces I do so. Then I seem to hit a phase where I can't seem to find much of anything and it slows down quite a bit. I guess I'd like to have a unique comprehensive complete SF collection.

18. What unit makes the best coin?

That's a tough one. I've seen some of the ones I like best in my collection come out of USSOCOM and CJSOTF-AP, and JFK SWCS have some real nice ones. For intricacy I have to say that USSOCOM and NAVSPECWARCOM units and commands take the top picks.

19. Have you met a lot of people through the hobby to this point?

As far as vets and operators affiliated with the units, yes. As far as fellow serious or casual collectors, not really.

20. How did you enjoy this interview?

I think enjoy is a strong word to use for my opinions. Nah, just kidding. There were some great questions. The thing that makes it hard to describe and further this hobby is it's a bit of a niche type thing. So that makes it harder to further the appeal and find others who are passionate about it. the questions were well thought out and constructed as well.