Aren’t challenge coins normally given to members of a group?
people collect challenge coins, trade them etc
it is similar to what you see football players do..they exchange jerseys
pence was just given a challenge coin by someone..maybe he was hoping for one in return later
They're purchased, traded, or simply given as a gesture of gratitude.
I don't know about the other branches but Challenge Coins are very popular in the Navy. I've got dozens of them.