Portsmouth Adds Collectible Coin To 400th Anniversary Merch

PORTSMOUTH, NH — To celebrate its 400th anniversary, Portsmouth has introduced another collectible for those looking for a giftable and unique memento of the city.

The PNH400 Challenge Coin was produced in a limited edition of 200 coins, the city said in a Wednesday news release. Each individually-numbered coin is $20, with proceeds going to support the official events and programming of PNH400.

The challenge coin tradition is said to go back to Roman times, but it is a familiar and cherished one among the military.

"Locals know, for example, that US Navy commanders award coins with their ships’ motto and crest to high-performing crew members, making them sought-after symbols of a job well done," according to officials.

The "challenge" part comes into play when a crew member makes the call by tapping his coin at a local bar, officials said. The last person to show their own coin in reply is tasked with buying a drink for the challenger.

The coin is available for purchase at the Portsmouth website and at the merchandise shop at the Portsmouth Historical Society.

One side of the coin bears the PNH400 logo and slogan, "History Lights Our Way, 1623-2023" and the City slogan, "Portsmouth The City of the Open Door." The reverse shows a clipper ship under sail and the informal PNH400 motto "History, Culture and Memories."

Other PNH400 merchandise, including license plates, mugs, and hoodies, can be purchased at the Portsmouth website.

Portsmouth NH 400th celebrates the diverse and animated social, political, intellectual, cultural, economic and spiritual history of Portsmouth from before settlement in 1623 to the present, officials said.

"The goal of Portsmouth NH 400 is to give the community an inclusive opportunity to tell the stories that are important to them, through programs, events, exhibits and legacy projects," according to officials.