The story behind the coin
FBI challenge coins are special challenge coins designed for members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI has been around for well over a century and currently employs around 35,000 people. Its staff includes special agents, intelligence analysts, information technology specialists, and other support professionals who can all benefit from our law enforcement challenge coins.
The FBI didn’t invent the concept of utilizing challenge coins. The U.S. military — specifically the U.S. Army — was the first group to revive the challenge coin tradition during World War I. Organizations like the FBI have followed suit, and many FBI employees now carry challenge coins daily and take great pride in them.
Initially, senior FBI officials gave out FBI challenge coins to show appreciation to FBI employees who demonstrated exceptional service or to mark monumental achievements by FBI employees. This gave rise to FBI special agent coins designed to express gratitude to those agents who went above and beyond to resolve important federal cases.
As time has gone on, FBI employees at all levels have embraced challenge coins and what they stand for. They often contain images and emblems representing the FBI’s core values, storied history, and traditions, making them deeply meaningful for those who carry them.