Challenge Coin
Photo credit: Jin S. Lee
Accession Number: C.2016.158.1
Dimensions: 2 in diameter
Dimensions (Metric): 5.08 cm diameter
Dimensions (Metric): 5.08 cm diameter
Source: Paula Cohen
Credit Line: Gift of Paula, Nicholas and Diana Cohen
Keywords
Fresh Kills Landfill
Health Effects
New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
Rescue and Recovery
Fresh Kills Landfill
Health Effects
New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
Rescue and Recovery
Description
Challenge coin with the front featuring the American flag and the flag of New York City above the New York, City Hall building. Embossed text around the border of the coin reads: "In Memory of Ronald 'Ronny' Cohen 1976–2014." The obverse of the coin features a deer head, a badge with four stars for the Deputy Commissioner in the Mayor’s Office, and a medallion specific to the Columbia Association, a fraternal organization within the NYC Sanitation Department. Embossed text on this side reads: "Service - Dedication - Compassion - Integrity - Loyalty."
Challenge coin with the front featuring the American flag and the flag of New York City above the New York, City Hall building. Embossed text around the border of the coin reads: "In Memory of Ronald 'Ronny' Cohen 1976–2014." The obverse of the coin features a deer head, a badge with four stars for the Deputy Commissioner in the Mayor’s Office, and a medallion specific to the Columbia Association, a fraternal organization within the NYC Sanitation Department. Embossed text on this side reads: "Service - Dedication - Compassion - Integrity - Loyalty."
Historical Notes
In addition to collecting, recycling, and disposing of the city’s waste, the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) also clears streets of debris, snow, and ice. On September 11, 2001, DSNY sent equipment and more than 1,000 workers to Ground Zero to aid the rescue efforts. Throughout the nine-month recovery period, DSNY personnel removed debris, provided garbage and recycling services, and washed streets to keep toxic dust from spreading around lower Manhattan.
By September 12, 2001, DSNY had reopened the recently closed Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island. There, they hosted NYPD‑ and FBI‑led recovery operations, which included searching for criminal evidence, human remains, and personal effects. DSNY workers unloaded and separated materials from barges and trucks for detailed screening.
In addition to collecting, recycling, and disposing of the city’s waste, the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) also clears streets of debris, snow, and ice. On September 11, 2001, DSNY sent equipment and more than 1,000 workers to Ground Zero to aid the rescue efforts. Throughout the nine-month recovery period, DSNY personnel removed debris, provided garbage and recycling services, and washed streets to keep toxic dust from spreading around lower Manhattan.
By September 12, 2001, DSNY had reopened the recently closed Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island. There, they hosted NYPD‑ and FBI‑led recovery operations, which included searching for criminal evidence, human remains, and personal effects. DSNY workers unloaded and separated materials from barges and trucks for detailed screening.
Curator's Comment
Longtime New York City official Ronald “Ronny” Cohen, who worked for months at Ground Zero and Fresh Kills Landfill after 9/11, died of brain cancer in 2014. A deputy commissioner and senior adviser in the Office of the Mayor, Cohen was 47 years old. After his death, his teenaged son was inspired to design a coin with emblems and words that illustrate his father’s life. Two hundred fifty of the coins were minted and distributed to Ronny’s friends and colleagues.
HIDE
Longtime New York City official Ronald “Ronny” Cohen, who worked for months at Ground Zero and Fresh Kills Landfill after 9/11, died of brain cancer in 2014. A deputy commissioner and senior adviser in the Office of the Mayor, Cohen was 47 years old. After his death, his teenaged son was inspired to design a coin with emblems and words that illustrate his father’s life. Two hundred fifty of the coins were minted and distributed to Ronny’s friends and colleagues.
HIDE
