Obverse Design

The challenge coin has center circle with a picture. The picture shows a patrol boat on the sea, with a scuba driver in the foreground and two paratroopers in the air. The boat has a mounted gun, and the sky has four stars.

The legend along the upper edge of the medal (outside of the circle) says "NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE UNIT 8". The legend along the bottom edge (outside the circle) says "VALE LA PENA" which is Spanish and means "IT IS WORTHWHILE". Dividing the top legend from the bottom on both sides are five-point stars. The coin has a wide raised rim with diagonal lines giving it a braided edge. The background is plain and smooth (not textured).
Reverse Design

The center of the medal has the Navy SEALS insignia. This consists of a an eagle at the top grasping an anchor. Across the anchor horizontally is a trident. Crossing the anchor and the trident is a cocked pistol.

The legend along the upper edge of the medal says "PANAMA CANAL". Curving along the bottom edge is a raised banner where the receipient's name could be engraved. The coin has a smooth plain raised edge, and a plain and smooth background.

Metal Brown metal, composition unknown. Weight Unknown. Size and Shape Round, 40.5 mm in diameter.
Dates Issued Unknown.
Issuer Naval Special Warfare Unit 8.
Mintage Unknown.
Rarity Common. Manufacturer Unknown. Source Plowman Collection.
Varieties None known.
Population Count As of July 14, 2004 these are not being offered regularly by any particular ebay sellers, but still are very common.
Historical Note The Naval Special Warfare (Navy SEALS) Unit 8 was based in the Panama Canal Zone in the past, before the Canal and the bases around it were turned over to Panama. The SEALS are regionally oriented and this unit specialized in Latin America, which is why a Spanish-language motto is on this coin. Naval Special Warfare Unit 8 has been disbanded and its personnel and mission were combined with Naval Special Warfare Unit 4.