NYPD Latent Print Section Issues Pink Sherlock Themed Challenge Coin

“There is always the chance of finger-marks or something.”

– The Adventure of the Three Gables (3GAB)

The Latent Print Section of New York’s Police Department has issued a second challenge coin featuring Sherlock Holmes.  In early 2015, they issued their first challenge coin that had a white background.  The second challenge coin, issued in early 2016, is identical to the first, except the 2016 version has a pink background

For those not familiar with the concept of a challenge coin, it works like this.  Traditionally, groups issued these coins to its members offer proof of belonging to the group and to increase morale within that group.  When gathered together, using in an drinking establishment, someone will display their coin and challenge the others to produce theirs. This is called a coin check.  Those that cannot produce their challenge coin will then have to buy a round of drinks for the challenger and all those that produced their coins.  If all members challenged can present their coin, then the challenger has to buy the round of drinks. However, these traditions can vary from group to group.

OBVERSE: LATENT PRINT SECTION / (silhouette of Sherlock Holmes, facing left, with deerstalker cap and pipe, holding a magnifying glass in his right hand, the design mimics a fingerprint) / NYPD

REVERSE: (triangular patch of the New York Police Department) over a background design of a fingerprint

51mm, Round, Nickel Finish, Swirl Edge Cutting, Pink Background color

Below are photographs of the 2015 version, which had a white background color.