Royal Canadian Navy – RCN – Challenge Coins
Sharkz Coins is Canadian. We have been producing custom challenge coins for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) for over ten years! Custom challenge coins have helped celebrate Royal Canadian Navy ships, the sailors who man them, and their accomplishments for may years. Royal Canadian Navy challenge coins have played an important role in morale building and celebration of achievement. Custom Royal Canadian Navy challenge coins are used for many purposes including:
- Souvenirs available in ship’s canteens, often bought, then traded by sailors cor coins from other ships
- Commanding Officers’ coins for commendation or dignitary gifts
- Commemoration of missions or crossing the line for shellbacks (sailors who cross the equator) or blue nosers (sailors who cross the arctic circle)
- Sometimes Royal Canadian Navy challenge coins are custom made as camaraderie coins for messes
- Custom Royal Canadian Navy challenge coins are often used to celebrate historical milestones, such as the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy, anniversaries of ships, and major changes such as refits, commissioning and decommissioning.
- Various trades also create custom Royal Canadian Navy challenge coins to promote a sense of the teamwork it takes to operate a ship
- Mess dinners are sometimes celebrated with custom challenge coins
- Retired ships are also popular themes for custom challenge coins – retiring and retired RCN sailors love to put coins in shadow boxes as a memento of their service which often includes serving on ships now retired.
If you check out our gallery (at this link) you will see many examples of Challenge Coins for the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force and more. There are lots there to get your creative juices flowing! If you get inspired, contact us right away and we can put a quote together for you.
Sharkz Coins RCN Trivia
Did you know that Chris Edley (Sharkz Coins co-owner and chief designer) is a retired Royal Canadian Navy officer who also spent time in the ranks going from Ordinary Seaman to Petty Officer second class, then commissioned and retired in 1999 as a Lieutenant (Navy) Marine Systems Engineer. He was a bluenoser, having crossed the arctic circle and met King Neptune on the diving support vessel HMCS Cormorant in 1988. He served on HCMS Cormorant, HCMS Athabaskan, HCMS Kootenay, and taught at the Canadian Forces Naval Engineering School in Halifax.
Royal Canadian Navy History – A Formidable Sea-power – Submarine Hunters
Canada has the longest coastline of any country on earth, and although Canada became a country in 1867, the Canadian Navy was not formed until May 4th, 1910. Until that time, Canada relied on the Royal Navy for ocean defence. The navy formed in 1910 was called the Naval Service of Canada and in 1911 was given the name Royal Canadian Navy by King George V.
The First Ships and WWI
The Royal Canadian Navy’s first ships were two former Royal Navy vessels HMCS Niobe and HMCS Rainbow. The Niobe stayed on Canada’s Atlantic Coast and the Rainbow made its way to the Pacific Coast to be based at CFB Esquimalt, still home to the RCN’s west coast fleet. During the first world war, the small but capable RCN patrolled both the west and east coasts to ward off the German threat. Towards the end fo the war, the Royal Canadian Naval Air Service was established to carry out anti-submarine operations; however, it was disbanded at the end of the war. It would however mark the beginning of what the Royal Canadian Navy has become known for – anti-submarine warfare. |
WWII – The Battle of the Atlantic
The second world war was where the Royal Canadian Navy really grew in strength and experience. Starting ht war with only 11 vessels, the Royal Canadian Navy expanded significantly, ultimately gaining responsibility for the entire Northwest Atlantic theatre of war. Of significant importance is the Battle of the Atlantic ran from 1939 through the end of 1943. During the Battle of the Atlantic, the RCN sank 31 U-boats and sank or captured 42 enemy surface vessels, while successfully completing 25,343 merchant crossings. During the second world war, the RCN lost 24 ships and 1,797 sailors. The Battle of the Atlantic is still remembered throughout the Royal Canadian Navy annually with mess dinners and parades during the first weekend in May each year. More information about the Battle of the Atlantic can be found at this link.
The Korean War
From 1950 to 1955 Korean War, the Royal Canadian Navy maintained a presence off the Korean peninsula, engaging in shore bombardments and maritime interdiction. During the cold war, the RCN re-developed its anti-submarine capability in response to a growing Soviet submarine threat to NATO countries. The Royal Canadian Navy still participates in NATO exercises and plays out an anti-submarine role.
A good overview of the RCN’s history can be found on the government of Canada’s website here.
Today’s Royal Canadian Navy
This history has lead to where we are now. Canada’s Navy carries out a number of roles supporting Canada’s international and domestic commitments. The Royal Canadian Navy supports fisheries patrols, protects Canada’s coastline, participates in the international effort to reduce drug smuggling and piracy, and works with other navies supporting Canada’s foreign affairs agenda. The RCN is an “environmental command” of the Canadian Armed Forces, operating alongside the Royal Canadian Air Force and The Canadian Army. The RCN is headquartered in Ottawa at National Defence Headquarters and is divided in the following:
- Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) is the home to the Royal Canadian Navy’s Atlantic Fleet with headquarters at CFB Halifax in Nova Scotia. Attached to MARLANT is the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 12 Wing Shearwater, which provides shipborne air support for the Atlantic Fleet and the 14 Wing Greenwood, which provides fixed-wing air support. Other Atlantic Fleet facilities are the ammunition depot at CFAD Bedford, and two radio stations. The Atlantic Fleet, has 18 warships and a number of auxiliary vessels.
- Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) is the home to the Royal Canadian Navy’s Pacific Fleet with headquarters at CFB Esquimalt in British Columbia. MARPAC is home to 15 warships and several auxiliary vessels. The Royal Canadian Air Force’s 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron provides shipborne helicopter support for the Pacific Fleet, while 19 Wing Comox provides fixed-wing maritime air support for MARPAC. Other Pacific Fleet facilities are CFAD Rocky Point ammunition depot and a Naval Radio Station.
- Canadian Forces Naval Reserve provides additional manpower for navy operations
- Naval Tactical Operations Group (NTOG) is dedicated to conducting boarding on non-compliant vessels of interest. Training includes precision shooting, hand-to-hand combat, interrogation techniques, advanced medical skills, the planning of missions, and identification of improvised explosive devices.
- Naval Security Team provides enhanced protection and security of deployed RCN ships and personnel at home or overseas as required.
The Royal Canadian Navy maintains a number of warships and auxiliary vessels. The primary vessels are the warships, and they include:
- 12 Halifax Class Canadian Patrol Frigates – these are named after large Canadian Cities and include:
- HMCS Halifax
- HMCS Vancouver
- HMCS Ville de Quebec
- HMCS Toronto
- HMCS Regina
- HMCS Calgary
- HMCS Montréal
- HMCS Fredericton
- HMCS Winnipeg
- HMCS Charlottetown
- HMCS St Johns
- HMCS Ottawa
- 12 Kingston Class Coastal Defence vessels – these are named after smaller Canadian cities. They are 55.3m long and displace 970 tons.
- 4 Victoria Class Submarines – these are diesel-electric subs.
Royal Canadian Navy Coins for Sale
Did you know that we have some coins for sale? Click here to go directly to our store and scroll around to find challenge coins to purchase right now.
Sharkz Coins – The Top Canadian Source for Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Navy Challenge Coins
We are a Canadian company co-owned by a Candian veteran and we serve the Canadian Armed Forces. We understand who you are and what you do. You have no reason to send your Canadian taxpayer-provided salary in the USA. You can make awesome coins while supporting the Canadian economy. Here is a little bit about us:
- Pride of service. We know you are proud to serve your country and your community – you should be! We’re proud of our coins, and it’s important to us that your coins are awesome so that they reflect your pride of service.
- We are a real company with a team of professional graphic designers and customer service experts. This allows us to produce the best Canadian challenge coins and stand behind our products.
- Professional Graphics and Project Management – If you like the quote we provide, you’ll be even happier to know that professional graphic design and project management are included with your coin production!
- Behind the scenes – We put as much care and attention into managing the production as we do in drawing your coins. We are OCD about what the dies look like and how our factories make your coins – it’s the only way to make sure they are as good as can be.
- All-in pricing. Your quote will be to-your-door all-inclusive (except for applicable sales tax)