There are many examples of traditions that make camaraderie in the military , but few are as well - respected as the pattern of carry a challenge coin — a small medallion or token that signifies a someone is a member of an organization . Even though challenge coin have break into the civilian universe , they ’re still a bit of a mystery for those outside the armed forces .
What Do Challenge Coins Look Like?
Typically , challenge coins are around 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter , and about 1/10 - inch thick , but the fashion and sizes depart wildly — some even come in unusual shapes like shields , Pentagon , arrowheads , and weenie tag . The coin are loosely made of pewter , bull , or atomic number 28 , with a variety of finishes available ( some circumscribed edition coin are plated in gold ) . The design can be unproblematic — an etching of the organization ’s insignia and motto — or have enamel highlights , multi - dimensional aim , and cut out .
Challenge Coin Origins
It ’s almost impossible to definitively know why and where the custom of challenge coins begin . One thing is sealed : coin and military service go back a batch further than our modern eld .
One of the earliest make love examples of an enlisted soldier being monetarily honour for valor took topographic point in Ancient Rome . If a soldier perform well in struggle that day , he would obtain his distinctive day ’s pay , and a separate coin as a bonus . Some account say that the coin was especially minted with a mark of the legion from which it came , prompting some men to hold on to their coin as a souvenir , rather than expend them on women and wine .
Today , the role of coin in the military is much more nuanced . While many coins are still give out as tokens of admiration for a job well done , particularly for those serving as part of a military cognitive process , some administrators exchange them almost like business cards or autographs they can supply to a collection . There are also coin that a soldier can apply like an ID badge to show they served with a peculiar unit . Still other coins are handed out to civilians for publicity , or even sell as a fund - raising tool .
The First Official Challenge Coin…Maybe
Although no one is certain how challenge coin came to be , one history go steady back to World War I , when a wealthy officer had bronze medallions struck with the vaporize squadron ’s insignia to give to his adult male . Shortly after , one of the young flying one was shot down over Germany and entrance . The Germans took everything on his individual except the little leather pouch he wore around his neck opening that materialise to hold back his laurel wreath .
The pilot escaped and made his means to France . But the French believe he was a spy , and sentenced him to execution . In an elbow grease to prove his identicalness , the pilot presented the medallion . A French soldier happened to recognise the insignia and the carrying out was check . The French confirm his identity and mail him back to his building block .
One of the earliest challenge coin was mint by Colonel “ Buffalo Bill ” Quinn , 17th Infantry Regiment , who had them made for his man during the Korean War . Thecoinfeatures a buffalo on one side as a nod to its creator , and the Regiment ’s insignia on the other side . A maw was exercise in the top so the men could bust it around their neck , instead of in a leather pouch .
The Challenge
Stories say that the challenge commence in Germany after World War II . Americans stationed there took up the local custom of conducting “ pfennig check . ” The pfennig was the lowest appellative of coin in Germany , and if you did n’t have one when a hitch was prognosticate , you were stuck buying the beers . This evolve from a pfenning to a unit ’s medallion , and members would " challenge " each other by slamming a medallion down on the legal profession . If any member present did n’t have his palm , he had to bribe a swallow for the challenger and for anyone else that had their coin . If all the other members had their medallions , the challenger had to buy everyone drinking .
The Secret Handshake
In June 2011 , Secretary of Defense Robert Gates toured military base in Afghanistan before his impending retreat . Along the way , he shook hand with gobs of men and fair sex in the Armed Forces in what , to the au naturel eye , appeared to be a simple exchange of regard . It was , in fact , a hugger-mugger handshakewith a surprise indoors for the recipient — a special Secretary of Defense challenge coin .
Not all challenge coins are pass by secret handshake , but it has become a tradition that many uphold . It could have its stock in the Second Boer War , oppose between the British and South African colonists at the twist of the 20th century . The British lease many soldiers of fortune for the conflict , who , due to their worldly-minded status , were ineffectual to realize medals of heroism . It was not strange , though , for the commanding officer of those mercenaries to find the adjustment rather . Stories say that non - commissioned officers would often snarf into the collapsible shelter of an unjustly awarded ship’s officer and cut the medal from the palm . Then , in a public observance , they would call the deserving mercenary ahead and , handle the palm , throw off his hired man , passing it to the soldier as a way of indirectly give thanks him for his service .
Special Forces Coins
Challenge coin began to beguile on during the Vietnam War . The first coins from this earned run average were make by either the Army ’s 10th or 11th Special Forces Group and were little more than common currency with the unit of measurement ’s insignia stamped on one side , but the man in the building block carried them with pride .
More importantly , though , it was a lot secure than the alternative — slug clubs , whose member carried a single fresh bullet at all time . Many of these bullets were apply as a reward for outlive a mission , with the estimation that it was now a “ last refuge smoke , ” to be used on yourself instead of surrendering if defeat seemed imminent . Of course carrying a bullet was little more than a show of machismo , so what started off as pistol or M16 troll , soon intensify to .50 caliber bullet , anti - aircraft rounds , and even gun shells in an sweat to one - up each other .
Unfortunately , when these bullet order member presented “ The Challenge ” to each other in bars , it meant they were slam lively ammunition down on the tabular array . disturbed that a deadly accident might occur , command cast out the ordnance , and replaced it with limited edition Special Forces coins rather . Soon almost every unit had their own coin , and some even minted commemorative coins for specially hard - fought struggle to pass out to those who endure to state the tale .
President (and Vice President) Challenge Coins
Starting with Bill Clinton , every United States President has had his own challenge coinand , since Dick Cheney , the vice president has had one , too .
There are usually a few different Presidential coins — one for the inauguration , one that commemorate his organisation , and one available to the worldwide populace , often in gift shops or online . But there ’s one limited , official presidential coin that can only be received by shake the hired hand of the most powerful humanity in the world . As you may probably guess , this is the rarest and most sought - after of all challenge coins .
The President can give out a coin at his own discretion , but they are usually reserve for special social function , military personnel office , or strange dignitary . It ’s been aver that George W. Bush reserved his coin for injured soldiers coming back from the Middle East . President Obama hands them out somewhat often , most notably to soldiers that man the step on Air Force One .
Beyond the Military
Challenge coins are now being used by many different organizations . In the Union government , everyone fromSecret Service agentstoWhite House staffto thePresident ’s personal valetshave their own coins . credibly the coolest coin are those forWhite House Military Aides — the people who carry theatomic football — whose coins are , of course , in the shape of a football game .
However , thanks in part to custom coin companies online , everyone ’s getting in on the tradition . Today , it ’s not uncommon forpoliceandfire departmentsto have coins , as do many civic brass , such asthe Lions Clubandthe Boy Scouts . Even theStar war cosplayers of the 501st Legion , Harley Davidson riders , andLinux usershave their own coin . Challenge coins have become a long - lasting , extremely - payable agency to show your allegiance anytime , anyplace .
