Challenge coins have been an element of army tradition for nearly a century. As per legend, individuals of the US Army Air Corps began utilizing challenge coins during World War I to show that they belonged to a specific squadron. Armed forces branches and fraternal groups these days quite often give the coins to members as they become a member of the organization. The coins are also used as honors, to improve morale within a group, or to commemorate special occasions.
Legend says that a successful pilot had several of the coins struck which he gave to other pilots in his squadron as a souvenir of their service together. One of the pilots who obtained a coin later used it to prove that he was a member of the squadron and avoided execution after his identification documents had been confiscated.
Challenge coins have gotten used by civilian organizations including the NFL and NASCAR. The National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troops Motorcycle Group, as well as the Harley Owners Group also have produced coins for their members to hold. U.S. Presidents have obtained challenge coins from members of the military, which they have then exhibited, or put on memorials of slain troops. Most groups require that a member hold their coin at all times.
A challenge is initiated any time a member places or slaps his challenge coin on a table or a bar, commencing the challenge to other individuals in the group of people to hold out their own coins. However, if a person within the group is unable to produce his coin, he must buy the next round of drinks for the crew. Having said that, if all the members produce their coins, the first challenger must buy a round of drinks.
Navy individuals may have to show their challenge coins during coin checks, at any time, no matter where they are or what they are executing. If the coin is out of arm's reach or further than one step from the service member, he might have to surrender it.
It is often hard for members of a group to consciously carry their challenge coins all of the time. Some people have attempted to make it a lot easier to remember by attaching the coins to belt buckles, key rings or lanyards worn around the neck. Even so, coins customized by drilling an opening in them to attach them to something invalidates their particular use as challenge coins. A coin can be carried in a wallet, although it's recommended that armed service members avoid this since the coin's shape is apparent in a billfold. The suggested method to carry a coin is to put it in a pocket or a compact pouch worn around the neck.
Regular challenge coins come in one and one-half inch, one and three-quarter inch and two-inch diameter variations. The coins are manufactured by either zinc-alloy castings or die struck bronze process. Zinc-alloy castings offer high quality at an inexpensive price, although ongoing use may make the sheen to fade away. Die struck bronze coins produce a higher numismatic quality, but are considerably more expensive to generate.
These coins normally have a gold, nickel, copper or bronze finish. Antique gold, silver, bronze and copper coatings are available too. These coins can be oval, square, multi-sided, or even made as dog tags.
Legend says that a successful pilot had several of the coins struck which he gave to other pilots in his squadron as a souvenir of their service together. One of the pilots who obtained a coin later used it to prove that he was a member of the squadron and avoided execution after his identification documents had been confiscated.
Challenge coins have gotten used by civilian organizations including the NFL and NASCAR. The National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troops Motorcycle Group, as well as the Harley Owners Group also have produced coins for their members to hold. U.S. Presidents have obtained challenge coins from members of the military, which they have then exhibited, or put on memorials of slain troops. Most groups require that a member hold their coin at all times.
A challenge is initiated any time a member places or slaps his challenge coin on a table or a bar, commencing the challenge to other individuals in the group of people to hold out their own coins. However, if a person within the group is unable to produce his coin, he must buy the next round of drinks for the crew. Having said that, if all the members produce their coins, the first challenger must buy a round of drinks.
Navy individuals may have to show their challenge coins during coin checks, at any time, no matter where they are or what they are executing. If the coin is out of arm's reach or further than one step from the service member, he might have to surrender it.
It is often hard for members of a group to consciously carry their challenge coins all of the time. Some people have attempted to make it a lot easier to remember by attaching the coins to belt buckles, key rings or lanyards worn around the neck. Even so, coins customized by drilling an opening in them to attach them to something invalidates their particular use as challenge coins. A coin can be carried in a wallet, although it's recommended that armed service members avoid this since the coin's shape is apparent in a billfold. The suggested method to carry a coin is to put it in a pocket or a compact pouch worn around the neck.
Regular challenge coins come in one and one-half inch, one and three-quarter inch and two-inch diameter variations. The coins are manufactured by either zinc-alloy castings or die struck bronze process. Zinc-alloy castings offer high quality at an inexpensive price, although ongoing use may make the sheen to fade away. Die struck bronze coins produce a higher numismatic quality, but are considerably more expensive to generate.
These coins normally have a gold, nickel, copper or bronze finish. Antique gold, silver, bronze and copper coatings are available too. These coins can be oval, square, multi-sided, or even made as dog tags.
About the Author:
SymbolArts was founded in 1986 by Utah-native, Mike Leatham, when he set out to establish a company that could provide both creative design and top quality finished products in the custom ring market. His efforts grew into a company that not only produces rings, but other types of top quality jewelry like police badges and challenge coins.