1015) Challenge Coins: i) What is a Challenge Coin? ii) Who commissions the Challenge Coins? iii) The Minting and Appearance of Challenge Coins; iv) How does a Challenge take place? v) The aim of the Challenge Exercise; vi) Challenge Coins also presented outside the military; vii) In Retrospect:
i) What is a Challenge Coin?
A Challenge Coin is a small coin or medallion, bearing an organisation's insignia or emblem and given to/carried by the organisation's members.
It is believed that the Roman Empire rewarded their soldiers by presenting them with coins so as to recognise their achievements.
A Valens Gold Medallion of 9 Solidi
Coins, medals, decorations are ever-lasting. Every time an old treasure is unearthed during excavation/construction work, the chief point of interest is what medals/coins/treasure has been unearthed. Minted metal preserves the history of an era, nation, ruler or even an individual person and gives us an insight into that period of history and achievements.
Challenge Coins were also known as "Portrait Medals" during the Renaissance and were often used to commemorate specific events involving Royalty, Nobility or of other important persons. The medals were given as gifts or awards and people exchanged them with friends and employees. The most prevalent design on one side depicted the patron, while the other side depicted something of that person's family, house, lineage, seal etc.
It is believed that the Roman Empire rewarded their soldiers by presenting them with coins so as to recognise their achievements.
Coins, medals, decorations are ever-lasting. Every time an old treasure is unearthed during excavation/construction work, the chief point of interest is what medals/coins/treasure has been unearthed. Minted metal preserves the history of an era, nation, ruler or even an individual person and gives us an insight into that period of history and achievements.
Challenge Coins were also known as "Portrait Medals" during the Renaissance and were often used to commemorate specific events involving Royalty, Nobility or of other important persons. The medals were given as gifts or awards and people exchanged them with friends and employees. The most prevalent design on one side depicted the patron, while the other side depicted something of that person's family, house, lineage, seal etc.
Traditionally, Challenge Coins were given to prove membership when challenged and to enhance morale. They are also collected by service members and law enforcement personnel.
During World War I the first reference to Challenge Coins comes of a wealthy lieutenant in a newly formed flying squadron ordered medallions struck in solid bronze and presented them to his unit.
The story goes, that a young pilot placed this medallion in a small leather pouch, which he wore around his neck. His plane, while on a combat mission was brought down by enemy ground fire. He was captured by a German patrol who removed all his identification papers except the leather pouch around his neck. He was taken to a small French town near the Front. Taking advantage of a bombardment that night, he escaped, donning civilian clothes. He stumbled onto a French outpost. Saboteurs had plagued the French troops in this area and they sometimes wore civilian clothes to mislead them.
Not recognising the US pilot's American accent and taking him to be a saboteur, they made ready to execute him. He thought of taking out his Challenge Coin and one of the French recognised the squadron insignia on the medallion. After proper confirmation, he was escorted back to British lines after being presented with a bottle of French wine.
Back at his squadron, it became a tradition to ensure that all members carried their medallion or Coin at all times.
A Challenge Coin of a US Airforce personnel for being a member of some specific shops
Another story goes back to World War II, where Challenge Coins presented to the Office of Strategic Service personnel who were deployed in Nazi held Germany. These Coins became an integral part of identifying "bona fide" personnel from infiltrators.
A third story also comes from World War II, which talks about an American soldier who was to assist Philippine guerillas. He carried a Philippine solid silver coin that was stamped on one side with his unit insignia, which helped him join the guerillas for the mission against the Japanese.
Slowly, the Challenge Coins together with their traditions became a familiar/popular feature with the German Forces, British Military/Army, Canadian Forces, Swiss Armed Forces, New Zealand and Australian Defence Forces, Belgian Defence Services, US Air Force and other Services among others.
During World War I the first reference to Challenge Coins comes of a wealthy lieutenant in a newly formed flying squadron ordered medallions struck in solid bronze and presented them to his unit.
The story goes, that a young pilot placed this medallion in a small leather pouch, which he wore around his neck. His plane, while on a combat mission was brought down by enemy ground fire. He was captured by a German patrol who removed all his identification papers except the leather pouch around his neck. He was taken to a small French town near the Front. Taking advantage of a bombardment that night, he escaped, donning civilian clothes. He stumbled onto a French outpost. Saboteurs had plagued the French troops in this area and they sometimes wore civilian clothes to mislead them.
Not recognising the US pilot's American accent and taking him to be a saboteur, they made ready to execute him. He thought of taking out his Challenge Coin and one of the French recognised the squadron insignia on the medallion. After proper confirmation, he was escorted back to British lines after being presented with a bottle of French wine.
Back at his squadron, it became a tradition to ensure that all members carried their medallion or Coin at all times.
Another story goes back to World War II, where Challenge Coins presented to the Office of Strategic Service personnel who were deployed in Nazi held Germany. These Coins became an integral part of identifying "bona fide" personnel from infiltrators.
A third story also comes from World War II, which talks about an American soldier who was to assist Philippine guerillas. He carried a Philippine solid silver coin that was stamped on one side with his unit insignia, which helped him join the guerillas for the mission against the Japanese.
Slowly, the Challenge Coins together with their traditions became a familiar/popular feature with the German Forces, British Military/Army, Canadian Forces, Swiss Armed Forces, New Zealand and Australian Defence Forces, Belgian Defence Services, US Air Force and other Services among others.
Modern Challenge Coins are made in a variety of sizes and often carry popular cultural references and may include super-heroes or well-known characters, so as to parody them. Historically, Challenge Coins were presented by unit commanders in recognition of special achievements by members of the unit. They are also exchanged in recognition of visits to an organisation or similar event.
Over the course of the 20th Century, these Coins have become increasingly important among troops/organisations. They have even made their way into other institutions like the White House and US Presidents now distribute them to all those who participate in diplomatic tours. Civilians can buy the same pieces at the White House gift shop.
President Barak Obama, in addition to handing Challenge Coins to US service members, would leave coins on the memorial graves of deceased soldiers.
During his election campaign, President Donald Trump's coin broke with tradition, omitting the Presidential seal, the motto "E. Pluribus Unum" and the 13 arrows, representing the 13 original states that had joined the Union and instead his campaign slogan "Make America Greatagain" appeared on both sides.
Interestingly, when the first Summit took place between Donald Trump and the North Korean President Kim Jong-un, Challenge Coins were being mooted.
ii) Who Commissions the Challenge Coins?
The Company Commander, the Training Course Director, the Battalion Officer etc. can commission the minting of Challenge Coins either on their own initiative of on the suggestions of the entire unit. The Challenge Coins are struck in extremely limited quantities for the Group which they are aimed to be presented to.
iii) The minting and appearance of Challenge Coins:
Challenge Coins are relatively inexpensive to design and produce. There are two basic processes by which they are minted - Zinc Alloy Castings or Doe struck Bronze.
Zinc Alloy Castings offer the advantage of low cost. Zinc Casting also allows more flexibility in design - like cutouts found on spinner coins or bottle opener coins. Although a die struck bronze or brass coin is more expensive, the end product is of a far superior numismatic quality . Depending on the production process and complexity of design, laser engraving, enamels, voids etc are used. The dies are sculpted by an artist.
There are many finishes available to Challenge Coins - from a simple pewter to 24 carat gold. While, there are only a few base metal, the patina (finish) can range from Gold, Silver, or Nickel to Brass, Copper, or Bronze and even antique finishes, punched holes, rotating elements and colours. Soft or hard enamel or a printed inset with an epoxy coating may add colour - epoxies are often more resilient and scratch resistant than the metal surfaces. There have been instances when Challenge coins have even been made of porcelain.
Sometimes, Challenge Coins may rely heavily on impressive symbolism. They may also be serially numbered or depict the outlines of countries of deployments/postings or nifty allusions which only insiders can understand.
The Challenge Coins often feature official emblems and are usually minted at Private mints and Companies.
iv) How does a Challenge take place?
The tradition of a Challenge is the most common way to ensure that members are carrying their unit's/group/s coin. The rules of a Challenge are not uniform and may vary from group to group or organisation to organisation.
The challenge only applies to those members who have been given a coin formally by their group. The tradition of the Coin Challenge is meant to be a source of morale boosting and a show of camaraderie in the group/unit. The act of challenging is called a "Coin Check" and is loudly announced.
The challenge begins with the challenger drawing his/her coin and slapping or placing it on the table or bar. In noisy environments, continuously rapping the challenge coin on a surface may initiate the challenge, just as accidentally dropping the challenge coin, is considered to be a deliberate challenge to all present.
Everyone being challenged must immediately produce the coin for their organisation and anyone failing to do so, must buy a round of drinks for the challenger and everyone else who has their challenge coin. However, if everyone challenged is able to produce their coin, the challenger must buy a round of drinks for the group.
While most of the holders of Challenge Coins usually carry them in their pockets or in some readily accessible place on their persons, most versions of the Challenge rules permit a challenged person "a step and reach" or if an individual has an extra coin to pass it off to the person closest to him/her.
Coins on belts or key chains do not qualify and are not acceptable for meeting a Coin Challenge.
Variants of the rules could include rules made by the individual group, but generally the following are taken into account -
If someone is able to steal a Challenge Coin, everyone in the group must buy a drink for that person.
During a Challenge, everyone in the group must buy a drink for the holder of the highest-ranking coin. Coin ranks are determined by the rank of the giver of the Challenge Coin. For example, a Coin presented by an Admiral would outrank a Coin presented by a Vice Admiral, while both would outrank a Coin presented by a Captain.
Traditionally, the presentation of a Coin is passed during a handshake. Some units/groups set strict time limits to respond to a Challenge.
Traditionally, the rules of a Challenge include a prohibition against defacing the coin, particularly if it makes it easier to carry at all times. If the Challenge Coin is attached to a belt buckle or has a hole drilled in to attach to a lanyard, it does not qualify as a Challenge Coin.
Although, every group can invent its own rules, the rules need to be written down and put up somewhere where everyone can see them.
v) The Aim of the Challenge Exercise:
Ultimately, the Challenge "game" is only part of the story. It signifies the important chapter in somebody's life, of a profound sense of belonging and of great camaraderie and success. It also helps develop lasting friendships between servicemen and personnel, who although are serving in the same military service/organisation have thus far not had a chance to get to know one another personally so far.
Several servicemen or personnel of organisations who have been presented Challenge Coins have emotional stories to recount in their later years with pride and honour, which their Challenge Coins remind them of.
vi) Challenge Coins - also presented outside the military:
Challenge Coins are also presented/exchanged outside the military. For example, NASCAR, the NFL, Eagle Scouts, Police Departments, Fire Departments and fraternal organisations may hand-out their own Challenge Coins.
Not only these departments, Opera Houses have been known to give Challenge Coins to their staff and musicians and even some schools and Colleges give out such medals/coins to their graduates as a memento. Even Motor Cycle clubs like the "Harley Owners Group (HOG) share their own Challenge Coins.
National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club
Several Scientific groups, Conventions award Challenge Coins to the participants, staff etc.
The Challenge Coins are quite popular in Media too. For example, for "Iron Man 2", the film director had Iron Man 2 Challenge Coins distributed to the Air Force personnel who cooperated with the production. Big Bang Theory Executive Producer's Chllenge Coins were given out to the crew of the last space shuttle.
Over the course of the 20th Century, these Coins have become increasingly important among troops/organisations. They have even made their way into other institutions like the White House and US Presidents now distribute them to all those who participate in diplomatic tours. Civilians can buy the same pieces at the White House gift shop.
President Barak Obama, in addition to handing Challenge Coins to US service members, would leave coins on the memorial graves of deceased soldiers.
During his election campaign, President Donald Trump's coin broke with tradition, omitting the Presidential seal, the motto "E. Pluribus Unum" and the 13 arrows, representing the 13 original states that had joined the Union and instead his campaign slogan "Make America Greatagain" appeared on both sides.
Interestingly, when the first Summit took place between Donald Trump and the North Korean President Kim Jong-un, Challenge Coins were being mooted.
ii) Who Commissions the Challenge Coins?
The Company Commander, the Training Course Director, the Battalion Officer etc. can commission the minting of Challenge Coins either on their own initiative of on the suggestions of the entire unit. The Challenge Coins are struck in extremely limited quantities for the Group which they are aimed to be presented to.
iii) The minting and appearance of Challenge Coins:
Challenge Coins are relatively inexpensive to design and produce. There are two basic processes by which they are minted - Zinc Alloy Castings or Doe struck Bronze.
Zinc Alloy Castings offer the advantage of low cost. Zinc Casting also allows more flexibility in design - like cutouts found on spinner coins or bottle opener coins. Although a die struck bronze or brass coin is more expensive, the end product is of a far superior numismatic quality . Depending on the production process and complexity of design, laser engraving, enamels, voids etc are used. The dies are sculpted by an artist.
There are many finishes available to Challenge Coins - from a simple pewter to 24 carat gold. While, there are only a few base metal, the patina (finish) can range from Gold, Silver, or Nickel to Brass, Copper, or Bronze and even antique finishes, punched holes, rotating elements and colours. Soft or hard enamel or a printed inset with an epoxy coating may add colour - epoxies are often more resilient and scratch resistant than the metal surfaces. There have been instances when Challenge coins have even been made of porcelain.
Sometimes, Challenge Coins may rely heavily on impressive symbolism. They may also be serially numbered or depict the outlines of countries of deployments/postings or nifty allusions which only insiders can understand.
The Challenge Coins often feature official emblems and are usually minted at Private mints and Companies.
iv) How does a Challenge take place?
The tradition of a Challenge is the most common way to ensure that members are carrying their unit's/group/s coin. The rules of a Challenge are not uniform and may vary from group to group or organisation to organisation.
The challenge only applies to those members who have been given a coin formally by their group. The tradition of the Coin Challenge is meant to be a source of morale boosting and a show of camaraderie in the group/unit. The act of challenging is called a "Coin Check" and is loudly announced.
The challenge begins with the challenger drawing his/her coin and slapping or placing it on the table or bar. In noisy environments, continuously rapping the challenge coin on a surface may initiate the challenge, just as accidentally dropping the challenge coin, is considered to be a deliberate challenge to all present.
Everyone being challenged must immediately produce the coin for their organisation and anyone failing to do so, must buy a round of drinks for the challenger and everyone else who has their challenge coin. However, if everyone challenged is able to produce their coin, the challenger must buy a round of drinks for the group.
While most of the holders of Challenge Coins usually carry them in their pockets or in some readily accessible place on their persons, most versions of the Challenge rules permit a challenged person "a step and reach" or if an individual has an extra coin to pass it off to the person closest to him/her.
Coins on belts or key chains do not qualify and are not acceptable for meeting a Coin Challenge.
Variants of the rules could include rules made by the individual group, but generally the following are taken into account -
If someone is able to steal a Challenge Coin, everyone in the group must buy a drink for that person.
During a Challenge, everyone in the group must buy a drink for the holder of the highest-ranking coin. Coin ranks are determined by the rank of the giver of the Challenge Coin. For example, a Coin presented by an Admiral would outrank a Coin presented by a Vice Admiral, while both would outrank a Coin presented by a Captain.
Traditionally, the presentation of a Coin is passed during a handshake. Some units/groups set strict time limits to respond to a Challenge.
Traditionally, the rules of a Challenge include a prohibition against defacing the coin, particularly if it makes it easier to carry at all times. If the Challenge Coin is attached to a belt buckle or has a hole drilled in to attach to a lanyard, it does not qualify as a Challenge Coin.
Although, every group can invent its own rules, the rules need to be written down and put up somewhere where everyone can see them.
v) The Aim of the Challenge Exercise:
Ultimately, the Challenge "game" is only part of the story. It signifies the important chapter in somebody's life, of a profound sense of belonging and of great camaraderie and success. It also helps develop lasting friendships between servicemen and personnel, who although are serving in the same military service/organisation have thus far not had a chance to get to know one another personally so far.
Several servicemen or personnel of organisations who have been presented Challenge Coins have emotional stories to recount in their later years with pride and honour, which their Challenge Coins remind them of.
vi) Challenge Coins - also presented outside the military:
Challenge Coins are also presented/exchanged outside the military. For example, NASCAR, the NFL, Eagle Scouts, Police Departments, Fire Departments and fraternal organisations may hand-out their own Challenge Coins.
Not only these departments, Opera Houses have been known to give Challenge Coins to their staff and musicians and even some schools and Colleges give out such medals/coins to their graduates as a memento. Even Motor Cycle clubs like the "Harley Owners Group (HOG) share their own Challenge Coins.
Several Scientific groups, Conventions award Challenge Coins to the participants, staff etc.
The Challenge Coins are quite popular in Media too. For example, for "Iron Man 2", the film director had Iron Man 2 Challenge Coins distributed to the Air Force personnel who cooperated with the production. Big Bang Theory Executive Producer's Chllenge Coins were given out to the crew of the last space shuttle.
Challenge Coins are also given out to civilians and diplomats during official tours. The Coins are always passed 'given in an official handshake.
vii) In retrospect:
Over the centuries, there is not much historical evidence available of Challenge Coins/medals, particularly, as they are "unofficial" in nature and are presented as mementos, and although they are strictly speaking not "Coins" in the numismatic sense, they are good collector items.
One will not find many sellers of the persons/soldiers holding them, particularly, as they evoke special memories to the holder of these Challenge Coins.
Some Examples of Challenge Coins:
vii) In retrospect:
Over the centuries, there is not much historical evidence available of Challenge Coins/medals, particularly, as they are "unofficial" in nature and are presented as mementos, and although they are strictly speaking not "Coins" in the numismatic sense, they are good collector items.
One will not find many sellers of the persons/soldiers holding them, particularly, as they evoke special memories to the holder of these Challenge Coins.
Some Examples of Challenge Coins:
The Deutsche Verbindungs-und Unterstutzungsgruppe in Djibouti was assigned to serve at the Horn of Africa as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. One of their Challenge Coins features on the Obverse, the national colours of Germany, the name of the task force, the outline of Djibouti, as well as, a camel and a palm tree.
On the Reverse, is seen the logo of the German Navy and the name of the NATO Operation. The medal's colour is reminiscent of the country's desert landscape.
German soldiers who were part of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) had this coin minted to mark their deployment in 2011. The Obverse features the deployment time, a map of Afghanistan, including the deployment location Kunduz, the German and Afghan Flags, as well as the emblem of the Afghan National Army.
On the Reverse is seen a common "OMLT" badge.
Two Challenge Coins issued by the Belgian Air Force
A "US Secret Service" medal from 1865, honouring their "essential personnel"
A US Navy Supply Corps Challenge Coin - Reverse
A US Navy Supply Corps Challenge Coin - Obverse
A Medical Doctor's Medal honouring their personnel who have set an excellent example ("EXCELLENCIO EXEMPLO") in the medical service
A training course of Medical Officers Challenge Coin minted in 2017. The colouring on the Coin's Reverse when tilted against the light resembles ocean waves. This coin features US Navy ships, a helicopter, and a humorously modified quote of Pompeius.
The Obverse shows an emblem which is similar to the official Medical Corps emblem.
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