by Barry Jensen
Challenge coins have been an integral part of army life for nearly a century. As per legend, individuals of the US Army Air Corps started utilizing challenge coins at the time of The First World War to prove that they belonged to a specific squadron. Armed service branches and fraternal associations today commonly provide the coins to people as they become a member of the organization. These coins can also be utilized as rewards, to raise morale inside a group, or to commemorate special occasions.
Legend says that a successful aviator had some of the coins struck that he then awarded to other pilots in his squadron as a keepsake of their service together. One of the pilots who acquired a coin later used it to confirm that he was a member of the squadron and avoided execution after his identification documents had been confiscated.
The coins are getting to be used by non-military groups including the NFL and NASCAR. The National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troops Motorcycle Group, and also the Harley Owners Group have likewise created coins for their members to carry. U.S. Presidents have obtained challenge coins from members of the service, that they have then exhibited, or affixed to memorials of deceased members of the military. Some organizations require that a member carry their coin at all times.
A challenge begins any time a member places or slaps his challenge coin on a table or a bar, commencing the challenge to other individuals of the crew to produce their own coins. In the event that somebody within the group cannot produce his coin, he must buy the next round of beverages for the group. However, if all of the participants show their coins, the initial challenger must purchase a round of drinks.
Navy individuals may have to show their challenge coins during coin checks, at any time, no matter where they are or what they are executing. If the coin is out of arm's reach or further than one step from the service member, he might have to surrender it.
It is often hard for members of a group to consciously carry their challenge coins all of the time. Some people have attempted to make it a lot easier to remember by attaching the coins to belt buckles, key rings or lanyards worn around the neck. Even so, coins customized by drilling an opening in them to attach them to something invalidates their particular use as challenge coins. A coin can be carried in a wallet, although it's recommended that armed service members avoid this since the coin's shape is apparent in a billfold. The suggested method to carry a coin is to put it in a pocket or a compact pouch worn around the neck.
Regular challenge coins come in one and one-half inch, one and three-quarter inch and two-inch diameter variations. The coins are manufactured by either zinc-alloy castings or die struck bronze process. Zinc-alloy castings offer high quality at an inexpensive price, although ongoing use may make the sheen to fade away. Die struck bronze coins produce a higher numismatic quality, but are considerably more expensive to generate.
These coins usually have a gold, nickel, copper or bronze finish. Antique gold, silver, bronze and copper surface finishes are available too. The coins can be oblong, square, multi-sided, and even made as dog tags.
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New Unique Article!
Title: Challenge Coins Are Used by More Than the Military
Author: Barry Jensen
Email: sunnyemmerwitz@gmail.com
Keywords: challenge coins,custom badges,police badges,military
Word Count: 562
Category: Hobbies
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