Custom Challenge Coins To Honor Veterans

Challenge coins are a mainstay among all branches of the U.S. military. Their tradition and history are symbolic and meaningful, as are the rules for giving and receiving them.

In recent decades, the popularity of challenge coins has expanded beyond the military. Today, they’re used by businesses, schools, nonprofits, and many other organizations. Though no longer exclusive to the military, their meaning and the reasons they are presented still matter to military personnel.

Custom Coins Carry Extra Meaning for Veterans

While many different organizations use challenge coins as marketing and promotional tools, they carry greater meaning and importance for military veterans. They are held in high regard by active duty soldiers and even more so by former troops who fought for our freedom.

Challenge coins are keepsakes that provide memories of past deployments, specific battles, fallen comrades, special events, and other memorable aspects of military service. They’re an ideal way to honor veterans, no matter when or where they served.

Celebrating and Honoring Veterans with Challenge Coins

What makes challenge coins such a good way to honor veterans? Challenge coins are a special token of honor to recipients and are a unique way to acknowledge former military members for all they have done for our country.

It’s vital to recognize those who gave so much for our freedom, and challenge coins are the perfect way to do so. Custom coins can be used as recognition and commemorative gifts, honoring the performance of their duty and service.

Challenge coins are symbols to remember and praise the recipients’ valor and achievements. Some veterans collect coins that mark important occasions and events. Some even choose to pass their collections and coins on to family members as heirlooms.

A Brief History of Military Challenge Coins

Part of the appeal of challenge coins is their history. Many traditions have helped build camaraderie and cohesion throughout the military. The challenge coin has become one of the most well-respected ones. Challenge coins commonly show membership in a specific group, team or discipline. Military officers also present them as rewards for excellence, a way to commemorate promotions, and to celebrate special milestones.

Although not quite the way we think of them today, the first examples of challenge coins originated in ancient Rome, where a particular coin was given to soldiers who excelled in battle. These coins were specially minted and presented with a soldier's daily wage.

Many of the soldiers chose to keep those coins as keepsakes, mementos of their careers. In a similar vein, military leaders present modern challenge coins today as a reward for a job well done, keeping up with the same tradition.

While there’s no definitive origin story for U.S. military challenge coins, the most popular legend dates them to a World War I Army Air Corps squad. A wealthy lieutenant had bronze coins made for all the men in the squad. When a member of the squad was shot down behind enemy lines, he was able to use his challenge coin to show French soldiers he was an American and be safely returned to his unit.

Since then, the challenge coin tradition has expanded throughout all branches of the armed forces and has become very popular with veterans. Some soldiers and veterans use challenge coins today as identification badges, showing that they served in specific units.

About the “Challenge”

Military challenge coins are packed with meaning and tradition, including "the challenge." While the coins have plenty of sentimental value on their own, the challenge adds another layer of significance for coin holders.

According to legend, the challenge began after World War II. Americans stationed in Germany began conducting "pfennig checks." The pfennig was a German coin valued at less than an American penny. If a soldier had one, he was presumed to be too poor to buy a round. When checked, those who couldn't produce a pfennig were responsible for the next round of beers.

The pfennig check evolved into a coin check, which uses the same rules, but with challenge coins. Any member who can’t show their challenge coin has to purchase drinks for everyone else who does. The challenge further enshrined the custom of challenge coins into military lore.

Modern Challenge Coins

Today, coins are still used by the military and other government agencies. Even the president has his own. The recipients cherish the keepsakes as a way to tell the story of their careers. That’s one reason why veterans hold challenge coins in such high regard.

The Legacy of Challenge Coins

Military challenge coins have a long history and ongoing tradition among both active duty and veteran military members. The coins are given as gifts and issued as rewards in honor of the dedication and bravery it takes to be a soldier, sailor, Airman, Marine or Space Force or Coast Guard member.

At ChallengeCoins4Less.com, we take special pride in designing military challenge coins. We are a U.S.-based company and a proud provider of military challenge coins for more than two decades. We’ve created challenge coins for all six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

A challenge coin is more than just a coin. It’s a keepsake that recipients will carry and display with pride for years to come. Challenge coins are an ideal way to celebrate the veterans in your life and honor their dedication and sacrifice to keep us free.

Ordering Challenge Coins

Want to find out more about honoring the veterans in your life with custom challenge coins? We’re here to help! We’ll work with you to design the perfect challenge coins to commemorate any aspect of a veteran’s service experience. Our talented artists are waiting to turn your design into great looking challenge coins.

Let us show you how fast and easy it can be to order custom coins for any occasion. You can call us toll-free at (855) 272-8451 or email us. If you already have a specific design in mind, fill out our no-obligation free quote form to get started with your own coin order today. And to all the veterans who gave so much, we offer a heartfelt thank you.