A soldier will often take the challenge coin he carries in his pocket and place it on a table or bar. The only proof he had that he was actually an American pilot was the challenge coin he carried in the pouch around his neck.Ī challenge attached to the coin that involves drinking and bragging rights is popular in the military. Once he was able to escape the Germans, he was arrested by the French who thought him to be a saboteur. Everything was taken from him except the pouch he wore around his neck. The pilot was shot down by enemy fire and taken prisoner a short time after receiving the coin. One pilot in the unit placed the coin in a pouch that he wore on his neck during missions. Many of these young men were attending prestigious institutions like Yale and Harvard but quit in the middle of the school term to join the war effort.Ī popular story is that a wealthy lieutenant had enough solid bronze coins crafted to give one out to his entire unit. Young men from notable families volunteered their services in World War I flying squadrons before America officially joined the global conflict. The exact origin of challenge coins in America is unclear but many people believe they first surfaced as a reward for soldiers in World War I. The coins date back to ancient Rome where they were used to acknowledge exceptional achievements. Challenge coins were given to honor members of the military in past years but are now used for a number of other reasons.Ĭhallenge coins do not function as a currency and are not produced by the mints responsible for currency production in the United States. Challenge coins are pieces of metal that measure about one inch in diameter and bear a resemblance to other traditional coins.
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