The obverse of a U.S. Marine Corps birthday ball medallion.

A challenge coin is a small coin or medallion (usually military), bearing an organization’s insignia or emblem and is carried by the organization’s members. They are given to prove membership when challenged and to enhance morale.^[1] Image File history File links Obverse of 222nd United States Marine Corps birthday celebration coin. ... Image File history File links Obverse of 222nd United States Marine Corps birthday celebration coin. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... A medallion is a piece of metal, usually carved or engraving, that is used as a medal, or worn on the body as a special symbol. ... ... An emblem consists of a pictorial image, abstract or representational, that epitomizes a concept - often a concept of a moral truth or an allegory. ...

Origins of the challenge coin

Like so many other aspects of military tradition, the origins of the challenge coin are a matter of much debate with little supporting evidence. While many organizations and services claim to have been the originators of the challenge coin, the most commonly held view is that the tradition began in the United States Army Air Service (a forerunner of the current United States Air Force). The United States Army Air Service was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. ... The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the United States armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. ...

Air warfare was a new phenomenon during World War I, when the army created flying squadrons and manned them with volunteer pilots from every walk of civilian life. While some of the early pilots came from working class or rural backgrounds, many were wealthy Ivy League students who withdrew from classes in the middle of the year, drawn by the adventure and romance of the new form of warfare. “The Great War ” redirects here. ... A Squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, aircraft (including balloons), or naval vessels. ... For the record label, see Ivy League Records. ...

As the legend goes,^[2][1] one such Ivy Leaguer, a wealthy lieutenant, ordered small, solid-bronze medallions (or coins) struck, which he then presented to the other pilots in his squadron as mementos of their service together. The coin was gold-plated, bore the squadron’s insignia, and was quite valuable. One of the pilots in the squadron, who had never owned anything like the coin, placed it in a leather pouch he wore around his neck for safekeeping. A short while later, this pilot’s aircraft was heavily damaged by ground fire (other sources claim it was an aerial dogfight), forcing him to land behind enemy lines and allowing him to be captured by the Germans. The Germans confiscated the personal belongings from his pockets, but they didn’t catch the leather pouch around his neck. On his way to a permanent prisoner of war facility, he was held overnight in a small German-held French village near the front. During the night, the town was bombarded by the British, creating enough confusion to allow the pilot to escape. Lieutenant is a military, naval, paramilitary, fire service or police officer rank. ... Assorted ancient Bronze castings found as part of a cache, probably intended for recycling. ... A medallion is a piece of metal, usually carved or engraving, that is used as a medal, or worn on the body as a special symbol. ... This article is about monetary coins. ... GOLD refers to one of the following: GOLD (IEEE) is an IEEE program designed to garner more student members at the university level (Graduates of the Last Decade). ... A dogfight or dog fight is a common term used to describe close-range aerial combat between military aircraft. ... Geneva Convention definition A prisoner of war (POW) is a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict. ...

The pilot avoided German patrols by donning civilian attire, but all of his identification had been confiscated so he had no way to prove his identity. With great difficulty, he sneaked across no-man’s land and made contact with a French patrol. Unfortunately for him, the French had been on the lookout for German saboteurs dressed as civilians. The French mistook the American pilot for a German saboteur and immediately prepared to execute him.

This challenge coin commemorates the imminent promotion of Marine Colonel Yurovich to CAG of CVW-9.

Desperate to prove his allegiance and without any identification, the pilot pulled out the coin from his leather pouch and showed it to his French captors. One of the Frenchmen recognized the unit insignia on the coin and delayed the execution long enough to confirm the pilot’s identity. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 555 KB) Summary Two challenge coins and an American quarter-dollar for scale. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 555 KB) Summary Two challenge coins and an American quarter-dollar for scale. ... Commander, Air Group, or CAG, refers to the senior officer responsible for air operations aboard an aircraft carrier of the U.S. Navy. ... Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at NAS Lemoore. ...

Once the pilot safely returned to his squadron, it became a tradition for all members to carry their coin at all times. To ensure compliance, the pilots would challenge each other to produce the coin. If the challenged couldn’t produce the coin, he was required to buy a drink of choice for the challenger; if the challenged could produce the coin, the challenger would purchase the drink.

This tradition spread to other flying squadrons and, eventually, to other military units in all branches of service and even to non military organizations. Today, challenge coins are given to members upon joining an organization, as an award to improve morale, and sold to commemorate special occasions or as fundraisers.

President Bill Clinton displayed several racks of challenge coins, which had been given to him by U.S. servicemembers, on the credenza behind his Oval Office desk. The challenge coins appear in the background of his official portrait, now hanging in the White House. William Jefferson Bill Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III[1] on August 19, 1946) was the 42nd President of the United States, serving from 1993 to 2001. ... A credenza desk is a modern desk form usually placed next to a wall, as a secondary work surface to that of another desk, such as a pedestal desk, in a typical executive office. ... The Oval Office from above The Oval Office is the official office of the President of the United States. ... Roman-Egyptian funeral portrait of a young boy A portrait is a painting (portrait painting), photograph (portrait photography), or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. ... For other uses, see White House (disambiguation). ...

Challenging

The tradition of a challenge is the most common way to ensure that members are carrying their unit's coin. The challenge, which can be held at any time, begins with the challenger drawing his/her coin, and slapping or placing the coin on the table or bar. (Should the coin be accidentally dropped, the challenge is still valid. This rule only holds near the equator). Everyone being challenged must immediately produce the coin for their organization and anyone failing to do so must buy a round of drinks for the challenger and everyone else who has their challenge coin. However, should everyone challenged be able to produce their coin, the challenger must buy a round of drinks for the group. If you are able to steal a challenge coin everyone in the group must buy you a drink.^{[citation needed]}

Other considerations

Challenge coins may not be attached to belt buckles or key rings and still be considered challenge coins, and they may not be defaced in any way (such as drilling a hole to attach to a lanyard).^{[citation needed]} A generally safe place to carry a coin is in a pouch worn around the neck (like the pilot in the legend). Carrying a challenge coin in the wallet is problematic because the distinctive circular bulge identifies the individual as a military member—a serious security consideration in many places—and because it can loosely resemble a condom (and therefore open the individual up to jokes from friends). A condom is a device, usually made of latex, or more recently polyurethane, that is used during sexual intercourse. ...

Cost

Challenge coins are moderately expensive to have made; as of 2005 in the United States, typical costs run about US$250 to set up the die and then from US$7.00 to as low as US$2.50 per coin to stamp, depending on quantity, colors, textures, and so on. Thus, a run of 25 coins may cost about US$425 total (US$17 each), while a run of 1000 coins may cost about $2750 total (US$2.75 each). Common coins can be found for less than US$5 each, while others will run over US$100 each if they are rare authentic coins from a high ranking military officer. 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Challenge coins in popular culture

The lead characters in JAG watch the flip of a challenge coin.

At the end of the long-running American adventure drama television show JAG, the two main characters decide to marry, then flip a challenge coin to decide who will resign his or her military commission to accompany the other to a new duty station. The final image freezes with the coin in the air; the audience never sees it fall. Image File history File links JAGcoin. ... Image File history File links JAGcoin. ... JAG (the American Military acronym for Judge Advocate General) is a popular American adventure and drama television show, that was produced by Belisarius Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television. ... A television program is the content of television broadcasting. ... JAG (the American Military acronym for Judge Advocate General) is a popular American adventure and drama television show, that was produced by Belisarius Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television. ... An officer is a member of a military, naval, or if applicable, other uniformed services who holds a position of responsibility. ...

Colonel Eli McNulty coins Samantha Liston in E-Ring when she is running to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and a General is trying to put a stop to it. At one point the General initiates the 'Coin Check' to show that she should not have a senior job as she has not seen combat and, of course, Liston has no challenge coin - thus proving his point. This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... The E Ring is one of the rings of Saturn. ... The United States Secretary of Defense is the head of the United States Department of Defense, concerned with the armed services and The Secretary is a member of the Presidents Cabinet. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Canada

• Every new officer cadet at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, is issued a Challenge coin upon completion of First Year Orientation Period. The Coin is engraved with the name of the College in French and English surrounding the College Crest on the obverse. The Cadet's college number and the Memorial Arch is on the reverse surrounded by the Motto in both languages.^{[citation needed]}

Officer Cadet is a rank held by military cadets during their training to become commissioned officers. ... The Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), is the military academy of the Canadian Forces and is a full degree-granting university. ... Murney Tower, Kingston The Fort Henry Guard performing an historical demonstration The Prince George Hotel. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... In heraldry, a crest is a component of a coat of arms. ... Arc de Triomphe, Paris A triumphal arch is a structure in the shape of a monumental gate, usually built to celebrate a victory in war. ... A motto (from Italian) is a phrase or a short list of words meant formally to describe the general motivation or intention of an entity, social group, or organization. ...

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} "Challenge Coin", GlobalSecurity.org.
2. ^ Acosta, "History of the challenge coin", 2005.

References

• CPL Wil Acosta (March 4, 2005). History of the challenge coin. Marine Corps News. Retrieved on 2006-12-30.

• Challenge Coin. GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved on 2006-12-30.

• A1C Jonathan Snyder (March 5, 2007). Challenge coins a trademark tradition for American military. pacaf.af.mil. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.

• Scott Thomspson (March 30, 2007). Of military excellence, affiliation and heraldry -- the story of military coins. The Fort Leavenworth Lamp. Retrieved on 2007-04-03.

• William J. Myers, Meet the Challenge, Numismatist, April, 2007.

is the 63rd day of the year (64th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 364th day of the year (365th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... GlobalSecurity. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 364th day of the year (365th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the day. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... May 13 is the 133rd day of the year (134th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... March 30 is the 89th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (90th in leap years). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 93rd day of the year (94th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article needs cleanup. ...

External links

• Special Forces Coin Rules and History. Special Forces Green Berets. Retrieved on 2006-12-30.

• Challenge Coin Association, Exonumia group with a focus on challenge coins.

• Challenge Coin Pictures, The Coin Page.

• Wire & Cable Dawg Challenge Coins, Wire & Cable Dawg Challenge Coins (U.S. Air Force).