Introduced in the 90s, Presidential challenge coins are handed out by the President as personal mementos, often to service members.

Trump implemented the biggest changes to the Presidential coin since its inception.

The Trump Presidential coin replaced the national motto “E Pluribus Unum” with his campaign motto, “Make America Great Again.” The coin was changed to gold instead of previously used copper or silver. It featured Trump’s name three times, including a novel emblazoning across the front.

Trevor Potter, former Republican former chairman of the Federal Election Commission, said of that the change, “For the commander in chief to give a political token with a campaign slogan on it to military officers would violate the important principle of separating the military from politics, as well as diminishing the tradition of the coin.”

The New York Times – Trump Gives Presidential Challenge Coin a Makeover, and It Shows
The Washington Post – ‘It’s very gold’: The Presidential coin undergoes a Trumpian makeover
The Hill – Trump presidential challenge coin says ‘Make America Great Again’ instead of national motto
Stars and Stripes – Presidential ‘challenge coin’ undergoes a Trumpian makeover