This is a beautiful New York State Police challenge coin. Coin is about 1 1/2" in diameter and beautifully engraved on both sides and gold plated with a reeded edge. Reverse side has St. Michael the Protector, Patron Saint of Law Enforcement. Coin is contained in an acrylic snap tight holder.

The New York State Police (NYSP), is the official state police force of the U.S. state of New York, and employs over 4,900 sworn state troopers. It is formally part of the New York State Executive Department.

There were a number of proposals for a State Police force during the early 1900s but bills for its creation faced considerable opposition from union interests. Finally in 1917 in response to, and from the publicity surrounding, the 1913 murder of a construction foreman named Sam Howell in Westchester County a bill for the creation of the New York State Police was passed. The New York State Police was officially established on April 11, 1917 by the New York Legislature.