Challenge Coins: What I know about them

2015-05-27T13:41:14-04:00

There are many wide-ranging stories, procedures, and misconceptions regarding military challenge coins. There is the ancient history that refers to Roman soldiers offering them to allied fighters to identify themselves as friendly. There are stories about downed fighter pilots in WWII using a coin stamped with a unit insignia to identify himself as American to the French who would rescue him.

The modern history though goes back to Vietnam with Special Forces groups keeping a live bullet in their pocket (bullet club), which would be slammed on the table as a challenge with drinks being the reward. By the late 1960's the 10th Special Forces Group began frowning on the “bullet in the pocket” procedure and started minting a formal coin complete with a location for engraving identification on the coin. The funds were initially used to pay for a life-size wooden statue that was displayed in Group HQ at Ft. Devens, MA and now, I assume, at Ft. Carson, CO. I received my first challenge coin in April of 1984 when in-processing at Ft. Devens, MA. I was given a short and informal lesson on its use that included dropping it on the floor, tapping it on the table, holding it in the air, and having to buy drinks if everyone in the challenge produced a coin, or conversely receiving a drink from all those that did not. I later found the rules were rather loose, diverse, and growing in number. I remember my company Commander forcefully throwing his coin into a pitcher of beer, and then when finding everyone at the table had their coins, he drank the whole pitcher, caught the coin in his teeth, and ordered three more pitchers for the table. (Respect.) This approach to a coin challenge had never been imparted to me.

“The first military unit known to have a coin was the oldest Special Forces unit in the Army, the 10th Special Forces Group. Green Berets were the only known units to have coins prior to the creation of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) in 1987. Since then, the Challenge Coin tradition has spread far and wide in both the military and the private sector.” - ITS Tactical

So, while challenge coins were initially offered to members of elite units for the purpose of esprit de corps, the practice has evolved to a whole new level. I have been given coins for being a distinguished graduate at Air Assault School, and for my performance at an NCO Academy. I have been offered coins for excellence in supporting various units in Iraq and also received a coin from Chief of Staff Gen. Schoomaker after meeting him and discussing my service at a leadership forum at my local city hall. The drift goes even further today with coins being offered to civilians and others who have benefited the unit. It is no longer just the elite units that have coins – instead, every special office or discipline in the military now has their own coin. Even my fire department had coins minted a decade or so ago.

By the1990s, I found myself working with members of the military from every branch of the service in my National Guard long-range surveillance unit. We had a guy from the Coast Guard who served in Vietnam, Force Recon Marines, Navy machinists, Air Force AP's, and Former SF soldiers in the unit. As you can imagine, there were numerous thoughts and understandings regarding the use and purpose of the challenge coin. We found it necessary to create an SOP, and titled it the “Coin Check Constitution” in order to create some continuity and uniformity. Take a look at it here!: http://rly.pt/coin-check-constitution

I hope my experiences with coin challenges have been informative. I'm looking forward to hearing coin challenge stories and experiences from my even more extensive and diverse group of RallyPoint friends!

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made May 27 at 2015 1:50 PM

2015-05-27T13:50:33-04:00

Cool history lesson! I went out and about one time without my wallet (wife was driving)....Ended up at a bar with some friends....There ensued a coin check, which, if I had my wallet, would have been no problems.....I didn't have wallet...couldn't produce coin, but also had issues paying the bar tab. Had to go back the next day!

Response by SrA Johnathan Kropke made May 27 at 2015 2:22 PM

2015-05-27T14:22:47-04:00

I have one story that is more than amusing due to one person basically buying too many drinks.

A couple of my buddies, including me, went out to a bar and I decided a coin check was necessary, one of the guys didn't have the coin, so, per tradition, he bought a round of drinks, however, throughout the night we had more friends show up at different times and decided they wanted to coin check as well.....needless to say after the third round we told everyone our buddy couldn't buy more drinks, his tab was almost clipping $100 at this point :-)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 2:25 PM

2015-05-27T14:25:20-04:00

I truly enjoy Challenge Coins as well. What a great article!

Response by MSgt James Mullis made May 27 at 2015 2:31 PM

2015-05-27T14:31:51-04:00

The earliest coin check I remember in my career was in Germany during the 1980's. Long before I saw my first unit coin, they used to do "Pfennig Checks" at German bars. The basic concept was that with the exchange rate at the time, the One Pfennig coin was basically worthless, unless someone was broke. Someone at the bar would yell "Pfennig Check", then everyone had to empty their pockets to show if they were saving any Pfennigs. If a soldier/airman could produce a Pfennig, it meant that he was nearly broke, and if a soldier could not produce a Pfennig, it meant that he had enough money to not bother saving them, and therefore had enough money to buy the next round. I'm not saying I'm cheap, but I still carry a Pfenning in my wallet.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 2:39 PM

2015-05-27T14:39:36-04:00

It's actually WWI.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 2:51 PM

2015-05-27T14:51:55-04:00

One my my Units in the past didnt do Coins but Engraved Gerber Knives... When i get home ill get a picture of it and Upload it... We also went with the Highest rank Coin if everyone had a coin.... Lucky enough I had a Coin from someone Very High up the food chain that only had about 3 coins to beat it... Unfortunantly I lost that Coin on one of my Trainings

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 2:58 PM

2015-05-27T14:58:24-04:00

Manny different version have been put forth one is from a wealthy pilot in WWI but, my personal favorite was told to me by the Ship’s Boatswain when I was a young lad sailing the Mediterranean sea for the first time.
Challenge coins date back to the day of sail when pirates and privateers would often melt down their loot and coin common denominations with their own seal because they had no money sanctioned by a crown, the first because of his trade and the second because they often operated too far from home to maintain enough in their coffers to pay for the necessities of a long voyage. Often these coins were used to pay the ship’s crew. These crew members, most often the Men at Arms (Marines), would find their way to the local pubs to spend some of their spoils. When it came time to pay they would slap the coin down on the old rickety wooden bar and as they pulled their hand away the other patrons would peer over to see what seal their coinage boar. Mostly to see the crown, needless to say someone with a British coin in a bar full of Spanish or French sailors normally ended in a brawl. Yet in some cases a crest other then the crown would be revealed. No doubt Blackbeard’s crest was the Jolly Rogers and would licit fear in the other patrons. Coins from the privateer Bonhome Richard would no doubt illicit admiration for the Navy of the young country standing up against the British Empire. It was not uncommon for those patrons to show respect for those sailors by buying them rounds so as to loosen their tongues and hear the tails of heroism on the sea the bearer had experienced.

Response by SSgt Donnavon Smith made May 27 at 2015 2:59 PM

2015-05-27T14:59:15-04:00

I carried a unit coin, but the highest rank thing I hated. I have a SecAF coin and a few 4 star coins and I am not carrying those around with me and losing them.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made May 27 at 2015 3:37 PM

2015-05-27T15:37:07-04:00

The day I joined RallyPoint, I saw his last name of one of our own beloved interns, and messaged him. His last name was the same as one of my favorite Officers of all time. Back in the day, instead of getting an impact AAM, I told him I would much rather have one of our 2/17 CAV squadron coins. Almost 20 years later, he still remembers that no TIS SSG of his. I was very proud of my time with the 101st Airborne. He was kind enough to have my name engraved on it (the only one I have that is). Awards come and go, but the memories attached to him have the biggest impact. That coin is still one of my prized posessions because 20 years later, this now LTG still remembers the kid who chose one of his coins over an official award.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made May 27 at 2015 7:32 PM

2015-05-27T19:32:24-04:00

I hate to dispute your history lesson, SSG Gerhard S., but I received my one and only coin as a corporal while I was assigned to C CO 1/501st INF at Fort Campbell, back in the latter part of 1979.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made May 28 at 2015 12:12 AM

2015-05-28T00:12:20-04:00

Generally speaking, the higher rank you are, the more coins you have in your 'hoard'. My favorite coin that I ever received is also the one I was never given. My Region CW4 (coolest warrant ever) gave me a coin that landed in my buddies car that ETS'd with him.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 2:24 AM

2015-05-28T02:24:22-04:00

The only coin I've received so far was right out of basic training. My father being retired Navy gave me and my senior DS one. They were the coin from his old battalion in the Seabees with the old motto on it (Which today has been changed due to it being politically incorrect and offensive to some). I think it will always be a treasured coin not only because it was my first coin but it's one that you can't get anymore as well as being given to me by my father.

Response by SSG Paul Setterholm made May 28 at 2015 7:48 PM

2015-05-28T19:48:31-04:00

Here is the coin that I designed.

Response by SGT Edward Thomas made May 30 at 2015 12:57 PM

2015-05-30T12:57:18-04:00

My first challenge coin was from the 172d Infantry Brigade in Alaska in 1986. Then the 6th Infantry Division. Then the unit the used it the most was JCSE at MacDill AFB FL. Once I went to Germany, I never saw another challenge coin until I got to 10th Group at Ft Carson. I also have the Airborne School challenge coin.

Response by PO1 Donald Hammond made Jun 1 at 2015 7:22 PM

2015-06-01T19:22:30-04:00

What is interesting is that I was in the submarine fleet during the cold war and never once heard of challenge coins. Didn't hear about them until I got my current position at USPACOM. They are big for the people up here. I have one. Didn't do anything to get it. Our outgoing 1 star gave one to everybody under her. Not to belittle them at all, but I'd rather have a coffee mug. :)

Response by PO1 Donald Hammond made Jun 1 at 2015 7:22 PM

2015-06-01T19:22:33-04:00

Response by SGT Edward Perez made Jun 14 at 2015 2:09 AM

2015-06-14T02:09:23-04:00

Response by SSG Mark Matteson made Jan 9 at 2017 5:31 PM

2017-01-09T17:31:52-05:00

In one of my old commands, you would get a 4 day pass if you received a General's coin. Which you couldo Cash in at anytime to your 1SG

Response by Sam Carter made Mar 28 at 2017 3:56 PM

2017-03-28T15:56:01-04:00

That is true.

I got into challenge coins as a collector when I was younger because my best friend's dad was a Col. in the Army at the time stationed in Germany. I wasn't fair to me at that time that I had no custom coins to trade him.

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Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 26 at 2018 5:38 PM

2018-02-26T17:38:57-05:00

I recognize one of those ;)

Response by CW4 Jim Webb made Jan 5 at 2019 12:05 PM

2019-01-05T12:05:46-05:00

As an 18 year old SP4 in Vietnam, I was given a 101st Abn challenge coin by a Staff Sergeant that I had helped with a problem he had with his stateside assignment. Years later I was given an 82nd Abn challenge coin by a Master Sergeant that I helped with his retirement package. I didn't notice at first that his coin was obviously a Vietnam era coin and probably impossible to replace or duplicate. The next time I saw him I offered to give it back to him for that reason, but he declined. I still have both coins to this day and they mean a lot to me although at the time I only thought that I was doing my job.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 4 at 2019 7:25 PM

2019-08-04T19:25:32-04:00

Nice historical piece!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 13 at 2020 9:19 PM

2020-01-13T21:19:43-05:00

I gave about 30 coins to an older veteran. He was tickled.

Response by SFC Steven Miller made Jan 26 at 2020 7:42 AM

2020-01-26T07:42:46-05:00

I still carry my Engineers coin.

Response by Kamil Faizi made Feb 21 at 2020 5:54 PM

2020-02-21T17:54:18-05:00

Kamil Faizi, owner at challengecoins4u.net :

I love making coins. Each one tells a story. A memory solidified in history.

I have thousands of coins in my office, and I can tell you about each one and the customer who got them made.

What started out as an identification tag in World War 1 for soldiers lost behind enemy lines, turned into a solid military tradition for an award of excellence.

Now, this trend has spread to the civilian world, and coins are handed out as safety coins at construction companies, to awards of excellence for projects completed (such as Lockheed Martin, et). We have even done coins for Google!

Response by LCDR Robert S. made Dec 24 at 2021 6:56 PM

2021-12-24T18:56:42-05:00

That's a great SOP.