Once a military exclusive, challenge coins are now a growing phenomenon in the civilian world.

These symbols of camaraderie and achievement, which originated in the military, have made their way into police and fire departments, government agencies, and corporations large and small.

Some military personnel may quibble with the idea that a coin handed out a corporate awards banquet can be called a challenge coin at all. But the fact remains that coins -- often resembling those carried by troops -- are fast becoming the reward of choice of many business leaders.

Coins are appreciated in the business world and in many other civilian spheres for the same reasons they're prized by military personnel.

"We've used coins for many years to boost morale and build teamwork," said Gary Leaming, Safety Manager for Canyon Fuel Company, LLC, Sufco Mine.

In 1997, as part of the company's ongoing effort to reach the goal of zero loss-time injuries, the SUFCO management team implemented a program that involved the use of coins as rewards for safety achievements. Ten years later, the highly successful program is still in operation.

Each time the company meets the benchmark of injury-free hours, all who have contributed to this achievement receive a solid silver coin. If the company exceeds its benchmark without an injury, the company rewards employees with a solid silver coin plated in 24-karat gold.

The coins distributed through this program are produced by Northwest Territorial Mint, a full-service private mint based near Seattle, Washington with operations throughout the United States. The company specializes in creating die-struck custom coins, medallions, and related items suited to every occasion. Since 1984, Northwest Territorial Mint has been the mint of choice for America's military units serving around the world. Through the years, the company has produced custom coins for General Peter Pace, Admiral Mike Mullen, and other top military commanders.

Both versions of the SUFCO safety incentive coin are designed with the company's emblem and stamped with a message of congratulations from the company president. Also, the coins are engraved with the date of the achievement, so miners who receive them can enjoy them as permanent reminders of a job well-done.

Some may wonder why companies are willing to spend their employee incentive dollars on coins, as opposed to pens, plaques, and other more traditional reward items. The answer may lie in the fact that coins have been used throughout history as awards. For example, stretching as far back as Alexander the Great, military leaders have handed out coins to reward displays of extreme valor or skill on the battlefield. This connection to a long and distinguished heritage gives coins a prestige that other items simply cannot match.

To this day, military personnel relish receiving award coins from a respected commander. Small, durable, and easy to carry, they serve as tangible tokens of excellence that can be kept for a lifetime. Coins are also a way to demonstrate solidarity. For decades, troops in all branches have honored the tradition of carrying a specially designed coin as symbol of their unit's distinct mission and identity.

Just as coins signify membership in a specific military unit, they're also used by businesses large and small to reward outstanding effort, mark achievement milestones, and honor unique and lasting partnerships.

Northrop Grumman Corporation, one of the largest global defense and technology contractors in the world, just recently created a coin to mark the completion of an important phase of a multi-partner project.

"These coins are a great way to recognize benchmarks and have definitely been appreciated," said Lee Whittle, one of the project managers for Northrop Grumman.

"Quite a few people have displayed them in their office like trophies," Whittle said.

As more and more business leaders come to value coins as effective tools in boosting morale and strengthening productivity, it looks as if corporate coins are here to stay.