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October 16, 2023
Key Takeaways
Challenge coins have been around for years, but when were they first used, and how have they changed over the years?
Versions of challenge coins date back to Ancient Rome, where they were given as a bonus, but many soldiers kept them as mementos as the legion mark was stamped on them. Modern challenge coins were first used in World War I as a form of identification and are still used today by many organizations.
The history of challenge coins features legends and speculations but is still important nonetheless. Below we will look at how challenge coins were used in the Ancient Roman Empire, the evolution of challenge coins through the years, the legend behind the first challenge coins, and how they are still used today.
The history of challenge coins is thought to have originated back during the Roman Empire's reign. In Roman culture, soldiers were rewarded with a special coin for their exceptional performance in battle and their regular day's pay.
These were known as a separate bonus coin, and some historians speculate that they may have been decorated with the emblem of the soldier's legion.
Interestingly, many soldiers chose to keep these coins as keepsakes rather than spend them, which suggests the high value they placed on this unique form of recognition.
There are many legends in challenge coin history, with the origins being traced back to World War I in Europe. Many American volunteers, including wealthy ivy league students, joined the newly formed flying squadrons during the war, eventually forming the Air Force.
Legend has it that a wealthy lieutenant in one of these squadrons had solid bronze medallions made for each member of his crew featuring the squadron emblem. In addition, he kept a medallion for himself, wearing it in a leather pouch around his neck.
During a mission in Germany, the pilot’s aircraft was damaged, forcing a rough landing behind enemy lines. He was captured by a German patrol, who confiscated all of his personal belongings except the pouch around his neck.
The lieutenant was later imprisoned in France but escaped and returned to Allied territory. However, French soldiers mistook him for a German spy due to his lack of identification and unfamiliar accent, and he was taken to a French outpost.
As a last effort to save himself from execution, the American soldier showed the medallion he was still wearing to his French captures, who recognized the emblem and gave him time to prove his identity.
This action would save the soldier's life and begin the tradition of ensuring that all squadron members carried a special challenge coin for similar situations. This small act has established a military challenge coin tradition that has endured to this day.
The origins of the challenge coin check can be traced back to after World War II in Germany. The original check was conducted using the low-denomination German coin, pfennig.
American soldiers in Germany would conduct "pfennig checks," and if someone couldn't produce a pfennig when called upon, they had to buy the drinks. This evolved into a unit medallion check where unit members would challenge one another by slamming their medals down on the bar.
Those who didn't have their medallion had to purchase drinks for the service members who had their coins. If everyone had a coin, the challenger had to purchase the drinks.
Today, instead of placing your challenge coin on the bar, you can raise your coin in the air and say that you're starting a coin check. Dropping your challenge coin accidentally can also trigger a check. You must have your coin within arm's length to win the challenge. If you don't, you will lose the challenge.
The rules for the game vary among Army Units. Some units require only the coin, for the unit you are serving will suffice, while others allow any coin. The commanding officer can alter these rules as they see fit. However, one rule is still followed - upon receiving the coin, the rules must be given and revealed to its new owner.
The game developed into the challenge coin game played in bars throughout the armed forces. The tradition soon spread from the Army to other military branches of service. Challenge coins became a way to show pride in one's service and initiate a sense of camaraderie among service members.
Coin checks can occur anytime, so it's essential to be prepared. Those who lose a challenge and refuse to buy drinks may be required to return their challenge coin to the agency that issued it to them.
The first verified use of military challenge coins started during the conflict in Korea. During the Korean War, Colonel "Buffalo Bill" Quinn, commander of the 17th Infantry Regiment, commissioned a challenge coin to be made for his soldiers.
This challenge coin featured the regiment's insignia on one side and a buffalo on the reverse, with a hole drilled at the top of the design so that the men could wear them on a chain instead of in a small leather pouch. This was one of the earliest known instances of a challenge coin being given to military personnel.
The coin given to members of the 17th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War is widely considered one of the oldest and most valuable challenge coins. It was given to soldiers from 1950 to 1951 as a tour memento.
On one side of the challenge coin is a buffalo with the date 1812, signifying the year the unit was formed. The reverse side features the 17th Infantry patch with the dates 1950-1951 and the text "Korea" to represent the tour.
The cross and fort icon on the coin depicts the unit's heritage, which dates back to the Civil War in Cuba.
Today, only a few Buffalo Bill Challenge Coins remain available, with most believed to be in the possession of private collectors.
Nevertheless, this coin remains a treasured and historically significant item concerning the oldest challenge coin. Its creation marked the beginning of the long-standing tradition of challenge coins in the military.
During the Vietnam War, military challenge coins became popular among soldiers to build camaraderie and honor their units. These coins represented the bond between soldiers, and many custom coins were created with unit names, symbols, and individual names.
The use of challenge coins during the war was also tied to the practice of carrying lucky pieces of ordnance, which eventually had to be outlawed due to safety concerns. However, these lucky items were often used in challenge games at local bars, where soldiers would test each other's loyalty to the unit by presenting their military challenge coins.
Today, challenge coins symbolize honor, camaraderie, and achievement in military units and other organizations such as fire and police departments, government agencies, and businesses.
These coins are designed to represent the organization or unit they are issued by and often feature unique designs, logos, or mottos that hold significance to the organization's members.
While challenge coins were originally used to prove membership in a specific unit or to issue challenges in bars, they have now become a way to recognize outstanding service, reward exceptional performance, and boost morale.
They are often presented to members of a unit or organization to show appreciation for their support and dedication. They are highly coveted by those who receive them.
In addition to their use in the military and other organizations, challenge coins have also become popular among collectors. Some collectors seek out rare or unique coins, while others collect coins from specific units or organizations.
Even former President Bill Clinton has a personal collection of challenge coins prominently featured in his official portrait.
Overall, challenge coins are an important tradition in the military and other non-military organizations, serving as symbols of dedication, honor, and camaraderie. Whether used to recognize outstanding service or to issue challenges among comrades, challenge coins are a unique and meaningful way to show appreciation and build bonds within a community.
At PinProsPlus, we want to help you carry on the challenge coin tradition. We offer custom challenge coins services so you can create your own challenge coins for any event . Contact us today for a free quote and to work with one of our designers to make the perfect challenge coin for any occasion.
