DISNEY SECURITY'S UNOFFICIAL CHALLENGE COINS

Challenge coins are small, commemorative medallions often distributed within a wide range of organizations as symbols of membership and camaraderie fostered through "challenges" in which people are required to show their coins on demand to prove that they're carrying them. There are varying rules on what happens if you're found without your coin depending on the group you're playing with. Most commonly, challenge coins have been associated with the military and its culture, which is at least part of why Disney currently has a sanctioned selection of them that a number of its park security personnel reportedly carry.

Speaking with Task & Purpose, a Walt Disney World representative explained that its official challenge coins are part of its efforts to embrace the traditions held dear by its "security departments and other areas where military veterans have come to work after their service." It's important to understand that challenge coins aren't exactly readily available to the general public, as they're meant to be special items that represent the bond between a select group of people—in this case, those working security for Disney.

There is nothing inherently wrong with challenge coins, and it makes a degree of sense that Disney would produce the coins for them to collect and trade, as collecting is a huge part of its brand already. What's somewhat concerning, though, are the number of unofficial challenge coins using characters like Mickey Mouse and the Punisher to not only associate the people holding them with Disney and Marvel at a glance, but also with a certain stance on policing.

It should be noted that none of the challenge coins pictured in this piece are part of Disney's official set, and all custom coins that staffers have made for use are subject to an internal review process should they include any of the company's intellectual property. We've reached out to Disney asking for comment about this piece and clarification on what their official coins look like, but did not hear back by time of publishing.

A casual search through eBay turns up more than a few challenge coins depicting Mickey Mouse as a cop, a fictional Department of Homeland security officer focused on magic, and a police car from Cars professing that "Blue Lives Matter."

To read the complete article, see:
Disney Security's Unofficial Challenge Coins Are a Different Sort of Collector's Item (https://io9.gizmodo.com/disney-securitys-unofficial-challenge-coins-are-a-diffe-1845750767)

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