T he P lanchet- I . C. C. FEBRUARY, 2018

Issue#585

A.N.A. C-131170 - I.S.N.A. LM 243 - C.S.N.S. L-600

Established 1939 and celebrating over 75 years of service
to the coin collector.

The next meeting will be M onday, Febr uar y 19th, 2018
Meetings of the Indianapolis Coin Club are held the third Monday of each month at
the Northside Knights of Columbus 2100 E. 71st Street in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Meetings consist of a business session, educational program, an intermission, and anumismatic auction.
Doors open at 6:00pm, meeting will begin at 7:00pm.
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FEBRUARY, 2018

Issue# 585

A Few Words From Your Pr esident
At our January meeting, several changes were announced to our Club procedures thatwere approved at the January 14 Board meeting. Since the January issue of Th e
Plan ch et had already been produced, here is a summary of the changes that will
directly impact some of our routine operations.
* The Club will supply the door prize if the educational speaker elects not to donateone.
* The Club will gift the educational speaker a $10.00 dinner if he or she would like.
* The Club will once again supply prizes for Exhibit Night.
* We are doing away with our P.O. Box, and Vinton Dove's address will now be used
for that purpose.
* The Club will give the first 5 new paid members during 2018 a 75th anniversarybronze medal as a gift for joining.
* The Club allocated $500.00 for special purposes to promote the Club. Any monies
that are proposed for such must be approved by the board.
* The Club will no longer mail copies of The Planchet to members thatrequest them. Printed copies will be available before the meeting for the few
members that are not able to access it on line.
* The 2018 budget was passed by the board with a deficit of $580.83.
Bob Bettcher is stepping down from the ICC Board of Directors due to healthconcerns. Bob has been on the Board for many years and has handled the job ofcollecting money for the 50-50 drawing, manned the sign-in sheet table, provided
change for the auction, and handed out door prize tickets. Bob, all club members join
me in thanking you for your hard work on the board and "taking care of business" ona monthly basis through the years. It may sometimes seem like an invisible, thanklessjob, but its value was immediately apparent on the rare occasion when Bob was notpresent. Andy Nahrwold is temporarily taking the open position on the Board, and a
Board meeting was held prior to tonight's meeting to discuss filling that vacancy for2the remainder of Bob's term on the Board. Sharon Bower has agreed to take over the
position that Bob had in making change, collecting 50-50 money, distributing tickets,
etc.
PLEASE try to have correct change, or at least use smaller bills, to pay for auction
items that you win. Especially troublesome are $50's and $100's which quickly drain
the change that is available. That change is personal money, and it will be greatly
appreciated by the changer and auction assistants to make giving change easier andmore efficient.I look forward to seeing you at tonight's meeting. Bring a friend if
possible!

JimSukup

INDIANAPOLISCOINCLUBEDUCATIONALPROGRAM
This month?s Educational Program will be:?Coins ar e Wher e You Find Them?
by Jim Sukup
Next Month?s Meeting Date & Program:
Monday, March 19th, 2018, at 7 pm.
?Mexican Silver Libertads, Treasure Coin of
Mexico? by Michael White3

FEBRUARY, 2018

Issue# 585

Ch allen ge Coin s by Sh ar on Bow erThis has been adapted from the educational program from our January, 2018 meeting. -Editor
The Challenge Coin
Many articles have been written about Challenge Coins.
But how did this tradition get started?
-No written record in military history-the challenge coin tradition didn?t start as an officially sanctioned activity
I?m going to tell you three stories that have
A widely circulated story from World War I tells of an American pilot shot down behind enemy lines
in Germany near the French border. This pilot was a lucky member of a squadron in which a
wealthy member had medallions struck in bronze for each squadron member. Captured byGermans, he had all personal items confiscated, except the medallion which he carried in a poucharound his neck. Escaping, he donned civilian clothing and managed to cross to France. Stumbling
into a French outpost, the soldiers there did not recognize him as American, and were about toexecute him as a saboteur when he showed them his medallion. It served as convincing proof.
Instead of a bullet, he received wine.
A member of the 11th Special Forces Group took old coins, had them over stamped with a different
emblem, then presented them to unit members, according to Roxanne Merritt, curator of the John
F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum at Fort Bragg, N.C. A former commander of the 10th SFG
picked up on the idea, becoming the first to mint a unit coin for the U.S. military unit. The 10thgroup remained the only Army unit with its own coin until the mid-1980s, Merritt said, when ?an
explosion took place, and everybody started minting coins.??
During the Vietnam War, another series of stories is well reported. The elite front and behind enemy
lines fighters took to a tradition of carrying one special bullet from their combat weapon, carried in
the hip pocket, to use in suicide in the event of enemy capture. On R&R, at the bar or hootch, asoldier could be challenged to show his bullet. If he could not, he would buy a round of drinks. If he
did produce the bullet, his challenger bought the drinks. The story goes on to say, in shows ofmachismo, larger and larger rounds were displayed, getting up to 105mm live cannon shells. To
restore safety to the challenge tradition, coins were mandated to be substituted for live rounds.
Such coins were personalized with control numbers and sometimes the person?s name. The
challenge tradition remains in effect today, and loss of a prized coin considered a disgrace.
Members of the U.S. military have a long-standing tradition of carrying a special coin symbolizing
unit identity and esprit de corps. With bonds forged in battle thousands of miles from home, thesecustom coins minted for military units ? each bearing their own revered symbols and mottos ?
capture in metal the essence of their affiliation and their fierce pride. Known to generations ofAmerican military personnel as challenge coins, they are a vital part of military life today and arerevered by troops in every branch of service.
More recently, in the 1980 Australian movie ?Breaker Morant,? one tradition is illustrated that began
during The Boar War, a war of independence between the British and the Colony of South Africa(1899-1902). Many contracted soldiers of fortune were serving the British and did so valiantly but
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FEBRUARY, 2018

Issue# 585

were never honored for their valor. In one scene, the Regimental Sergeants Majors (RSMs) sneak
into the tents of officers who were undeserving recipients of a medal, then cut and remove each
undeserved medal from its ribbon. Later, in a ceremony before the regiment, each deserving soldier
received a special handshake. When the hands were clasped, the medallion was discreetly (andessentially invisibly) palmed into the hand of the recipient. Many stories tell of similar handshakerituals in which a coin is palmed to a soldier to convey a reward for their heroism, but without theappearance of a bonus being bestowed.
Challenge coins have been an American military tradition for nearly a century. In units around theworld, and perhaps more so at deployed locations, personnel of the U.S. Armed Forces carry, collectand trade unit challenge coins.
A challenge coin is not merely a token. Challenge coins today are a tangible source of pride for
America?s warriors at every level in the chain of command. Commanders use them as on-the-spot
awards. Senior military leaders often dole out their coins as gifts to foreign dignitaries or civilian
VIPs.
Most important, a challenge coin is carried always. Coin checks are still a part of military life, andvarious penalties are still handed out for those found without their coin. (Some cruelly choose
locations apt to yield a victory. Rules commonly followed specify that the coin must be carried
always; neither shower nor latrine exempt one from producing his coin.)
Today, challenge coins are carried by soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines, as well as lawmen andfirefighters. These coins identify the bearer as a member of a unit with a well-defined history andmission. And, wherever warriors gather, they challenge each other by ?coining.? The group?s uniquecoin is slammed on a bar to challenge all in the group to display their own coins; he who is last must
pay a penalty.
Many service members and veterans proudly display challenge coins at their desks or homes,
showing off the many missions they?ve been on, the top leaders they?ve met and the units for which
they?ve worked.
The proliferation of coins and their availability to the public in post gift shops.Making the coinsavailable for purchase has added yet another dimension to the tradition ? collecting.

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OFFICIAL RULES
A 'Coin Check' consists of a Challenge and a Response.
RULES:
A. The challenge is initiated by drawing your coin, holding it in the air by whatever means possible
and state, scream, shout or otherwise verbally acknowledge that you are initiating a coin check.
Another, but less vocal method is to firmly place it on the bar, table, or floor (this should produce an
audible noise which can be easily heard by those being challenged but try not to leave a permanent
imprint). If you accidentally drop your coin and it makes an audible sound upon impact, then you
have just "accidentally" initiated a coin check. (This is called paying the price for improper care ofyour coin.)
B. The response consists of all those persons being challenged drawing their coin in a like manner(other organizational coins are invalid). You must produce a coin with a Special Forces LOGO on it.
C. If you are challenged and are unable to properly respond, you must buy a round of drinks for thechallenger and the group being challenged.
D. If everyone being challenged responds in the correct manner, the challenger must buy a round of
drinks for all those people they challenged.
E. Failure to buy a round is a despicable crime and will require that you turn-in your Coin to theissuing agency.
WHEN - WHERE
A. Coin checks are permitted, ANY TIME, ANY PLACE.
EXCEPTIONS
A. There are no exceptions to the rules. They apply to those clothed or unclothed. At the time of thechallenge you are permitted one step and an arms reach to locate your coin. If you still cannot reachit -- SORRY ABOUT THAT!
A COIN IS A COIN
A. Coins attached on belt buckles are considered "belt buckles".
B. Coins on key chains are considered "key chains."
C. Coins placed in a "holder/clasp" and worn around the neck like a necklace are valid and areconsidered a coin.
ADVICE: Never, ever be caught without your Special Forces Coin.
Website:http://custom.nwtmint.com/index.php- Currently out of business
https://www.challengecoin.com/

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FEBRUARY, 2018

Issue# 585

Jan u ar y , 2018 - M in u t es of t h e In dian apolis Coin Clu b M eet in g.

Not available at time of publication.

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February 2018 Auction Lotsfor 2/19/2018
Description

Grade

Additional Notes

Starting Price

1973 US Proof Set

5.00

1974 US Proof Set

6.00

1975 US Proof Set

6.00

1976 US Proof Set

6.00

1977 US Proof Set

5.00

1906 Liberty Head Nickel

1.00

1907 Liberty Head Nickel

1.00

1963 D Roosevelt Dime

1.50

1910 Liberty Head Nickel

1.00

1911 Liberty Head Nickel

1.00

1958 D Roosevelt Dime

1.50

1956 Roosevelt Dime

1.50

1954 Roosevelt Dime

1.50

1946 D Roosevelt Dime

1.50

1964 D Roosevelt Dime

1.50

1964 D Washington Quarter

3.00

1960 D Washington Quarter

3.00

1951 D Washington Quarter

3.00

1946 Washington Quarter

3.00

1942 Washington Quarter

3.00

1833 Half Cent

VF40

Owner 's grade

1.00

1835 Half Cent - Beautiful Coin

AU53

Owner 's grade

1.001803 Large Cent

F12

Owner 's grade

1.00

Togo 1925 2 Francs

VF Cleaned

Tough coin

1.00

1800's & early 1900's

1.00

15 X German 1,2,5,10 Pfenning2003 Proof Set

1.00

2000 Proof Set

1.00

1971 Ike Dollar in Brown Case

Proof

1.00
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February 2018 Auction Lotsfor 2/19/2018
Description

Grade

Additional Notes

Starting Price

Roll of Walking Liberty 50C

mixed

All Different

130.00Partial Set of Washington 25C

mixed$10.25 Face

135.00

4X Peace Dollars

XF/AU

74.00

1898 Morgan Dollar

23.00

1902-O Morgan Dollar

25.00

1922 Peace Dollar

BU

25.00

Of course this is just a small sampling of the lots that will be available at the meeting.
Any active member is able to submit lots for the auction. Bring them the night of themeeting. If you want them to be advertised in the Planchet simply email a list of items
to the editor. plancheteditor@gmail.com

Trivia:Who was the first female Chief Engraver of the US Mint?
Answer is at the bottom of the treasurer 'sreport.

Edit or ?s Not e:
The views expressed in any article are solely that of the author and do
not represent the views of the ICC, nor does the ICC endorse any
advertiser.

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FEBRUARY, 2018

Issue# 585

In dian apolis Coin Clu b
2018 M eet in g Dat es & Edu cat ion al Pr ogr am s
January 15, 2018 - ?Military Challenge Coins?- by Sharon Bower* Prize sponsor: Chris Bower
February 19, 2018 - ?Coins are Where You Find Them ? - by Jim Sukup* Prize sponsor: Jim Sukup
March 19, 2018 - ?Mexican Silver Libertads, Treasure Coin of Mexico?- by Michael White* Prize sponsor: Michael White
April 16, 2018 - 'Obscure Foreign Coins' - by Paul Griffin* Prize sponsor: I. C. C.
May 21, 2018 - T. B. A. - by Jerry Coraz* Prize sponsor: T. B. A.
June 18, 2018 - T. B. A. - by Don Wray
* Prize sponsor: T. B. A.
July 16, 2018 - T. B. A. - by Paul Vaughn* Prize sponsor: T. B. A.
August 20, 2018 - I. B. A. - by Joe Boling* Prize sponsor: T. B. A.
September 17, 2018 - Exhibit Night* Prize sponsor: I. C. C.
October 15, 2018 -T. B. A. - by Harvey Warner* Prize sponsor: T. B. A.
November 11, 2018 - ?Annual State of the Hobby Address?-by Mark Eberhardt* Prize sponsor: Mark Eberhardt
Tuesday, December 4, 2018 ? NO MEETING - I.C.C. Holiday Banquet* For 2018 we are continuing the 'Attendance Prize' drawing at each monthly meeting as an added incentive
for all I.C.C. members to attend as many meetings as possible and to encourage new membership. Everyone
attending each regular monthly meeting will receive a prize ticket when they arrive at the meeting and sign inat the greeting table. The prize each month will be a 90% silver U.S. Half Dollar (or equivalent or greater 90%
silver content coin) The I.C.C. Board members and officers as well as several I.C.C. members chose to act as
sponsors and donate the monthly prizes rather than funding them from our budget. You'll find the monthly
prize sponsor listed below each monthly meeting date above. You'll just have to show up to see what you may
win!
Please keep this in mind each month; regardless of who is giving the monthly program and/or the topic, we owe it tothat person and the membership to remain quiet and pay attention during the program. It?s important that we
respect the knowledge that is being shared with us as well as the time and effort the speaker is donating to our club.
The same rules should apply to our monthly auctions; please remain quiet and pay attention. Thank you.

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FEBRUARY, 2018

Issue# 585

Tr easu r er ?s Repor t
RECEIPTS:
2017 Bu dget
Dues - Regular @ $20.00 ea.
$1,200.00
Dues - Junior @ $5.00 ea.
$5.00
Advertising - Planchet @ $35.00Not
ea.available at time of publication.
$70.00Fifty/Fifty Drawing:$375.00
Donations / Auction Lot Sales:
ICC Library Book Sold (est):
Auction Lots Sheets @ $1.00 per Sheet:$100.00
Newsletter Postage Fee:2017 Act u al
$1,220.00$10.00$320.80$448.00$35.00$6.00$133.00$6.00

TOTAL RECEIPTS:$1,750.00$2,172.80

DISBURSEMENTS:
Dues - ANA:
Insurance - Liability:
Insurance - Treasurer 's Bond:
Mail Box Rental:
Secretary/Treasurer - Postage:
K of C Meeting Room Rent:
Exhibitors Nights Prizes:
Library Purchases:
Website MaintenanceNewsletter:- Printing/Supplies:- Postage:

2017 Bu dget2017 Act u al$300.00$100.00$58.00$98.00$1,100.00

300.00100.00$80.00$98.00$1,100.00$200.00$200.00$45.00$45.00TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS:$1,931.00$2,178.00

NET INFLOW / OUTFLOW:($181.00)($5.20)ICC CHECKBOOK:
Balance:
CD Investments:

2017 Year En d
$3,095.28
Matures

Rate

Value at Maturity

5/14/2018

1.241

6,519.78

3/15/218.995

15,149.25
21,669.03

Trivia Answer: Elizabeth Jones11Th e 2018 In dian apolis Coin Clu b
Of f icer s an d Boar d M em ber s:
President
Jim Sukup
Vice-President
Steve Howery
Secretary
Vinton Dove
TreasurerMark Eberhardt
Newsletter Editor
Christopher Bower
Past President
Michael White
Sgt-at-Arms
Jim Warden
Board Member 2018-2019
Gerald Coraz
Board Member 2018-2019
Paul Vaughn
Board Member 2018-2019
Jim Roehrdanz
Board Member 2017-2018
Donn Wray
Board Member 2017-2018
Jeff Bercovitz
Board Member 2017-2018
Andy Nahrwold

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FEBRUARY, 2018

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FEBRUARY, 2018

Issue# 585

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