2016-09-22 Thu

Challenge coins are medallions that are inscribed with an organization’s insignia and distributed to its members.

During World War I, an Army Air Service lieutenant struck bronze medals for his squadron’s pilots. One of them was attacked by the German army and managed to escape to France. With the help of his Challenge coin, he was able to prove French soldiers that he was an American. The tradition of carrying the challenge coin at all times became a tradition after that.

Airmen challenged their fellowmen at any time, to check if they have the coin with them. If the one who is challenged is not carrying the medal, then he would have to buy a drink to his challenger, else the challenger would have to buy a drink for the one who is challenged.

Experts say that the 11th Special Forces Group Airborne in Vietnam took old coins, counter-stamped them with his unit’s emblem, and presented them as souvenirs of duty to other members of the unit.

Following the tradition, Colonel Vernon E. Greene, Commander of the 10th Special Forces Group designed a coin for his unit featuring their personal Trojan horse symbol in 1969. Today special budgets are allotted for minting these coins specially.

Each Challenge coin has an interesting story behind it which lives on from generations to generations. Read more about challenge coins here:

U.S. Challenge Coins and Their Story

ARISS Fundraising Event Driven by ARISS Challenge Coin Door Prizes