(Newswire.net — December 29, 2021) —
Coin check!
Do you have your coin with you? No? Then too bad, drinks are on you!
But beyond getting free drinks for a failed challenge, the coin is a long-standing and well-respected tradition of the armed forces.
What are challenge coins? They’re not mere trinkets with an emblem. Challenge coins symbolize camaraderie and exclusive membership to a select group.
Traditionally, commanders would give a challenge coin to those who performed exemplary service. It’s considered a great honor to receive one.
But how did the practice of handing out coins all start? Let’s review the history of challenge coins.
The First Military Challenge Coins
What might have been the first military challenge coins can be traced back to Ancient Rome. Roman soldiers were typically paid in coins after a day’s battle. But sometimes, they were presented with an additional coin if they showed their prowess on the battlefield.
These “bonus” coins may have had depictions of famous battles or decorated with the mark of the legion they belonged to and rewarded akin to medals. Many Roman soldiers made the coins keepsakes instead of spending them. That’s why some historians believe that these Roman coins were the original challenge coins.
The Famous World War I Story
What many consider as the first appearance of an “official” challenge coin may have happened in World War I in Europe. While the story is well-known among coin enthusiasts, it’s important to note that the narrative is largely unverifiable.
Legend has it that a wealthy lieutenant in the US Air Force had medallions made for every squadron member. These were solid bronze coins that carried the squadron’s insignia.
It just so happened that one of the pilots (or the lieutenant himself) was shot down over Germany. The Germans took everything from him except for the leather pouch around his neck with the medallion in it. The pilot managed to escape and make his way to France.
Because he didn’t have his uniform or any form of identification, the French thought he was a spy and a saboteur. They would have executed him, but fortunately, the pilot remembered the coin and showed it to his captors. The French recognized the emblem and were able to confirm his identity.
They even gave him a bottle of wine as compensation for his troubles.
The Challenge Coin Today
The lieutenant’s story is just one of many explanations of how challenge coins came about and the importance of carrying one with you at all times. Another account, this time in World War II Germany, involved a “pfennig check” that’s thought to have started the “challenge” aspect. And another anecdote claims that it started in Vietnam, where you had to present enemy bullets or grenades (later coins) as proof of combat.
Today, it’s not only special or elite forces in the military that use challenge coins. Firefighters, the police, the coast guard, and even big businesses like Starbucks have their custom coins. It’s also easy to buy challenge coins online if you’re interested in adopting the tradition for your organization.
Ready For A Coin Check?
Do you have a challenge coin in your possession? Now that you’re familiar with the history of challenge coins, you can appreciate their rich legacy. Always keep it with you as a priceless memento, but more importantly, so you don’t have to pay for drinks!
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