Challenge Coins

The custom of challenge coins started at some point in the First World War. During this instance a lot of volunteers joined the United States Army Air Service which was the forerunner to the US Air Force. One of the service lieutenant’s regimented little hard bronze medallions or coins to be arranged. These coins were then presented to the members of his regiment. As one of his team mates had by no means owned anything as precious as this coin he situated the coin in a skin purse which he hung about his neck.

When this serviceman was captured by the Germans every one of his private belongings were confiscated. The sole article to escape their detection was the challenge coin which was still hanging about his neck. When the military air force gentleman escaped from the Germans he was afterwards taken by the French who wrongly identified him for a German as he was wearing one of their uniforms. Immediately prior to this service man being executed he showed the challenge coin to a French official in the expectation that his nation of origin would be recognized.

When he returned back to his country and recalled his story the coin was called a challenge coin and supplementary numbers of these challenge coins were minted. All branches of the forces afterwards adopted these challenge coins. From the myth of this coin a new way of using the coin was adopted. This is where the challenge coins custom was born.

In this custom the challenge coins are used to increase moral and lets the different individuals see if their unit friends are wearing their challenge coins. When one service staff associate meets a different member and requests the challenge coin to be shown, the challenged person has to show the coin.

The failure to show the challenge coin results with a round of drinks being bought for all who are on-hand at the challenge. However if there is a group of people who have been challenged and they produce their challenge coins the challenger has to purchase all a round of drinks. From the beginnings of the challenge coins to the present day, these coins represent the unwavering custom of military honour and dependability.