Challenge Coin ? The Priceless Medallion
Posted by dunitzsantrino on December 5th, 2014
A Challenge coin is a small medallion bearing an organization's emblem and this belong to the organization’s members. These coins are given to prove one’s membership when challenged and carried by service member too. It is given to members joining the organization to improve their morale. Challenge coins are presented by the senior most officer of a unit to their unit member in recognition of a special achievement or fete and also exchanged in recognition of visits to an organization. The origin of the challenge coin goes way back to’ world war I’ but not definite as to when and where the tradition began. There are various stories regarding the origin of these coins.
The Challenge coin started within the military ranks, but soon became a firefighter tradition, and thus gave birth to the Firefighter Challenge Coins. East coast firefighters started using the challenge coins due to the large east coast military influence and it has now swept throughout the country. The different type of Firefighter challenge coins includes Fire chief Nickel coin, Maltese coin, Flag Maltese coin, Fire rescue firefighter coin, Firefighter rescue coin, Firefighter in prayer challenge coin, Deputy fire chief Bugle coin, St. Florian coin etc. All these coins have its own significance and are made for different occasions.These coins are a symbol of strength and commitment and build relationships amongst people of the group. These coins are of different shape and size are made of different metals and their value varies accordingly.
The Challenge Coins have a significant and deep-seeded role with the Army and Navy Organizations. Only those have received a coin will truly appreciate its meaning as it is a closely guarded tradition. The coins besides being used for challenging are used as rewards and awards for outstanding service of duty and built morale of the member. Non-military personnel are awarded with Challenge coins for their outstanding services. The act of challenging is called a coin check. A challenge can be made by a challenger by holding the coin high in the air and challenging his opponent and if the challenged does not produce his coin he is liable to buy wine for all. But forcing the challenge can cause reverse effect. In modern times these coins are used by various organizations.
Challenge Coin carries various stories, the most popular being a young pilot who was captured by the Germans, when his aircraft was damaged in a ground fire and taken for execution and since he had his medallion around his neck in a leather pouch, it saves him and instead of being executed he was given a bottle of wine. Hence it became a tradition to carry the coin by all the members.
