Are you the proud owner of a special challenge coin? Are you curious how this tradition even started?
There's something special about the specific recognition that challenge coins give as an individual and as a group
of people. That's why they're such an important part of the military and
continue to be a strong tradition in the modern world.
If you want to learn how this
tradition began, keep reading. We'll take you through the history of the
challenge coin and show you how it has evolved throughout the years!
Uncertain
Origins
The main thing to understand is the
fact that the origin of the challenge coin is a debated topic. No one is quite
sure where it all began but there are many instances of it showing up in
history.
The good news is that there are many
theories that each have an intricate story of their own. It's possible that
each one has a touch of truth to them but it's up to you to choose which one
you want to believe.
Ancient
Rome
One of the oldest origin stories of
military medals and coins begins back in the empire of ancient Rome. Any
soldier that went above and beyond his call of duty would receive a single
specially-minted coin alongside his normal pay.
The coin would look much different
from normal coins, often showing some sort of symbol referring to the soldier's
legion or similar information.
This was an honor that wasn't given
very often and the extra details on the coin made it extraordinary.
Due to the special quality of this
coin, many of these soldiers would keep the coin as a memento rather than spend
it with the rest of their money. It's through this that coins began to mean
something more to military men than a way to pay a bill.
11th
and 10th Special Forces Groups
Some say that the origin of these
special coins started only in the 1960s. The 11th Special Forces Group took old
coins and engraved them with new designs and then handed them out to everyone
within the group.
The unit rallied behind the idea of
this, with it being a visual representation of their teamwork. They found that
it made them feel closer as a unit and gave them even more inspiration as
military men.
Another commander within the 10th
Special Forces Group saw this and liked the idea as well. He replicated it for
his own group and handed out coins to his unit as well.
For many years, these were the only
groups with coins until the late 1980s. From there, the idea caught fire, and
soon challenge coins were everywhere.
World
War I
It's no wonder that this origin
story is one of the most respected. It shows both the bravery and the ingenuity
that embodies all military forces.
In World War I, a lieutenant in the
Army Air Service made medallions the size of coins for each person within his
unit. The coins were all the same, with the same insignia and design. It was
meant as a memento of their time spent together.
This lieutenant liked to have it
close by at all times, and wore the coin in a pouch around his neck.
When Germans shot his plane down and
took him prisoner, they removed all of his other identification items, but they
didn't remove the pouch. It was only a coin, so they left it.
The lieutenant escaped and made his
way to a French outpost. Without any identification, the French believed him to
be an enemy and imprisoned him as well.
Until one French man noticed the
lieutenant's coin and recognized its design. It identified him as an ally. The
lieutenant was released and accepted with open arms and many apologies.
Through his trials, soon it was a
well-received tradition that all units should carry similar coins in case of
capture.
Vietnam
Infantry Bar
Another origin story starts in a
Vietnam bar run by the infantry stationed there. To keep others out of the bar,
the bartender would demand to see proof of combat from anyone who came in.
This started with small things, such
as bullets, but then evolved into people bringing in larger weapons to show off
to everyone else. When grenades and rockets started showing up, it was clear
something else needed to happen.
That's when the idea of using coins
with the infantry's insignia took over. It was a much easier way to prove who
was who and made the whole bar safer for everyone.
The
Modern Challenge
All of this leads us back to the
modern-day. Challenge coins are a deep part of our military and offer a unique
way to give recognition to individuals who go above and beyond.
The challenge comes from those who
take out their coins and 'challenge' others to do the same. When someone isn't
able to do so, they often pay a price, such as buying a round of beers.
It's possible to buy challenge coins
online, but many feel that it's better to receive the coin for a job well done.
Better to buy the coins to give out to your comrades than to buy them for
yourself.
There is even a secret handshake
that goes along with handing off a new coin. It's another way to show camaraderie
between different individuals.
Custom challenge coins are even more
popular today, giving each coin a flair of its own. From the army to the navy,
make sure to check this
out to learn even more about the designs and symbolism!
Receiving
a Challenge Coin Touches Back on History
Whether you receive a challenge coin
through a well-done deed or solid work in a military group, each coin is a
piece of history. You're adding your name to the countless others who have
served and taken part in this timeless tradition.
Hang on to your coin with pride and
don't be afraid to initiate a challenge of your own sometimes!
Make sure to browse through the rest of our blog for even more news and interesting information!
