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Obverse Design
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The challenge coin has a shield in the center. The shield
has a Spanish galleon in the center with a lightning bolt to the right
and an olive branch to the left. Under the shield along the bottom edge is
a scroll with the legend "24TH WING".
The legend along the upper edge of the medal says "INTEGRITY SERVICE EXCELLENCE".
Along the bottom of the medal is the motto "LOS PROFESIONALES" which means
"THE PROFESSIONALS" in Spanish.
The coin has a smooth plain raised edge, and a plain and smooth background.
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Reverse Design
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The reverse side also has a shield in the center. The bottom of the shield has
the upper part of a globe show by latitude and longitude lines. Wings rise up on
either side of the globe. Each wing contains three small five-point stars.
In the middle of the wings above the globe is a caduceus, historically an emblem
of physicians.
Under the shield along the bottom edge is
a scroll with the legend "24TH MEDICAL GROUP".
Along the upper edge of the medal it says "HOWARD AFB PANAMA".
The coin has a smooth plain raised edge, and a plain and smooth background.
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Metal
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Bronze finish, metal unknown.
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Weight
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32.0 grams.
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Size and Shape
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Round, 40.2 mm in diameter.
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Dates Issued
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Unknown; perhaps mid-1990's.
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Issuer
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24th Medical Group, which was part of the 24th Wing.
The 24th Wing was part of the 12th US Air Force.
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Mintage
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Unknown.
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Rarity
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Scarce.
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Manufacturer
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Unknown.
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Source
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Plowman Collection.
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Varieties
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None known.
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Population Count
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Two specimens in collector hands are known to me.
Recent sales include:
- Auction sale on ebay on July 29, 2002 for $32 plus $1.50 shipping.
- Auction sale on ebay on January 2, 2004 for $32 plus $3 shipping.
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Historical Note
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The 24th Wing was a part of the 12th Air Force, which was the Air Force component
of Southcom. It was based at Howard Air Force Base in the Canal Zone. In 1999,
the 24th Wing had one flying component which was the 310th Airlift. The 24th Wing
was inactivated on November 30, 1999.
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