Challenge Coin

Challenge coins have become a popular item for all branches of the military, service clubs, organizations and departments. The challenge coin has a long tradition of symbolizing unity and providing recognition for fellow members.

“Coining” began in the ancient Roman army, where coins were presented as rewards. The history of the challenge coin dates back to the U.S. military in World War II. There are other undocumented stories of military coins in the early 1900’s, but we’ll focus on Soldiers Magazine’s version from their August 1994 issue.

In the early 1940s, a soldier in the 11th Special Forces Group (SFG), over-stamped some old coins with their emblem, and then gave them to unit members. The 10th SFG was the first to mint their own Special Forces challenge coin and remained the only unit with its own Army challenge coin until the 1980’s.

The military challenge coin tradition carries on today, but now almost every military unit creates its own custom challenge coin which every member carries. It identifies the soldier, sailor, airmen or Marine as a unit member and is a symbol of pride, respect and fellowship. Their revered symbols and mottos capture in metal the essence of their affiliation and fierce pride.

It is fascinating to watch a single batch of Special Forces challenge coins spread over the years to many different custom military coins, including Air Force challenge coins, Marine challenge coins, Navy challenge coins and USMC challenge coins. Even police departments, fire departments, service organizations, local clubs, universities, motorcycle clubs and poker tournaments now use custom coins. Not only are challenge coins a great fundraising tool and morale builder; they still provide the same recognition and appreciation they did in the Roman times.