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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!
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!
Challenge Coin
Tradition
Command Post
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 25
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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.
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SFC Wesley Arnold, Jr
I remember my father's second tour to Germany (76-81) the Pfening Check was in full force ... had to dig deep in mom's purse at a full house once to save Dad
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SFC Ron Chelsy
I stopped carrying my penning when I married my German wife lol she started carrying all the money
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TSgt (Join to see)
While in Korea, I always had a 1 Won coin in my pocket. Yep, won a few drinks that way.
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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.
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SrA (Join to see)
Awesome.... I remember the coin that I was givin when My cousin passed away By then BR Grieleg of the Omaha Corps of Engineers...
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SSG Gerhard S.
Awesome story! I know some make a job out of collecting coins. I have the few I posted with this Command post, and a few other "campaign" coins I did not include. There are memories attached to each of my coins that will be with me as long as I live.
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SSG Roger Ayscue
I have coins that have ridden in my pocket for decades and will be buried with me when I take the big dirt nap
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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
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SGT William Howell
I have played by the highest ranking, I don't carry my highest ranking coin though. I have an attachment to one I got from a 1 Star that was given with a sincere handshake and a wispier in my ear of a great job. I met him again while I was a contractor in Iraq (He was now a 3 Star). I showed him that coin and told him it meant the most out of everything I ever got out of the army. He said he still remembered giving it to me and that I had earned it. His CSM tried to give me the 3 Star coin. I thanked him and told him I earned the one I carry and to save that for a young soldier who will hopefully think as much as I do of my coin.
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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.
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SSG (Join to see)
Roger that MSgt Allan Folsom, I look forward to the ones I'll be awarded and I appreciate the advice.
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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 :-)
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 :-)
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SSG Gerhard S.
I've seen this repeated often. Thanks for sharing. When we drafted our Coin Check Constitution (linked to the Command post article) we included a clause that only held one liable for one lost challenge until an acceptable amount of time had passed to allow one to obtain, or retrieve one's coin...... I know it's another exception that some may find fault with, but we saw the coin as a tool of comradeship, and not as a device to empty the wallets of our brethren.
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SrA Johnathan Kropke
Yeah, I read that and liked it a lot for the same reason, we all ended up pitching in the buy the drinks ultimately, but it was quite humorous to watch him sweat bullets for everyone walking in the bar.
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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. :)
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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.
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SSG Gerhard S.
I was given a Coin by JCS Chair Gen. Shoomaker.... Conversation piece.... Wouldn't consider carrying it. Not because it means little to me, but because my own Unit Coin means more to me.
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SSgt Donnavon Smith
Cool coin, got my SecAF coin at Rodeo '98 (Airlift competition) spent the day riding shotgun in his limo and opening the door when we stopped lol
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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.
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.
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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!
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CPL (Join to see)
I Admit it SSG Gerhard, I drilled my 25th anniversary coin and used it as a necklace, so that it was with me at all times! I was not aware of the No No on that! But I did receive two new Co F Coins that are totally cool! Lesson learned!!!!
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CPT William Jones
TSgt David L. - according to the constitution referenced in one of these it was no longer a challenge coin but now a key chain
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TSgt David L.
CPT William Jones - LOL Probably true but by the EOD standards in that shop back then he wasn't willing to chance it.
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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.
We are veteran owned and we donate a percentage of each order to a charity of your choice.
Here is our profile on Instagram of some work we have done for our customers:
http://www.instagram.com/challengecoins4u
http://www.challengecoins4u.com
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.
We are veteran owned and we donate a percentage of each order to a charity of your choice.
Here is our profile on Instagram of some work we have done for our customers:
http://www.instagram.com/challengecoins4u
http://www.challengecoins4u.com
Challenge Coins 4 U (@challengecoins4u) • Instagram photos and videos
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