#challenge coins

[nights-at-the-opera]

[topatoco]

Weird coins have been showing up our pockets. We tried using them at a gumball machine, but all that came out were eyeballs? And we could've sworn they blinked at us 😳...

Coins from @nightvaleofficial! Designed by Jeffery Rowland (based on Rob Wilson's WTNV art) & Dev O'Reilly!

[geekysteven]

I was explaining what challenge coins are, pulled up an image for an example and had a real "are we the baddies "moment

[something-witcher-this-way-comes]

Tom Canton shares his challenge coin that Henry sent out to the entire cast and crew of S2 of The Witcher

Geralt threw us a coin...

The Aen Seidhe thank you, Witcher...

Thanks @henrycavill bro what a lovely touch x

#Witcher #WitcherNetflix #TheWitcher

[ssadboyysblog]

Win together with Game & Earn!

Be my friend! Join for money prizes!

Pls download😭😔

[ley-pins]

A pin that spins

[geekywotter-blog]

Custom Coins and Their Military History

Custom coins have been a part of military life and lore for millennia. While we tend to think of them as a relatively recent icon for military members, custom coins have been dated back as far as Ancient Rome. What accounts for their ongoing popularity among military organizations?

In the Beginning

While no one knows when the idea of what we know today as challenge coins came to be, one of their earliest recorded uses came in Ancient Rome. Soldiers were often rewarded with extra pay if they performed particularly well in battle. When the coins were specially minted to differentiate them from regular coins, some soldiers kept them as keepsakes rather than spending them.

Ancient Greeks minted custom coins as well, typically to commemorate victory in battle.

In the U.S. Military

There are several stories about the origins of custom coins in the U.S. military, none of which can be documented as true. The most popular legend dates the history of U.S. challenge coins, as they came to be known, to World War I.

According to the story, a wealthy lieutenant in the Army Air Corps had custom bronze coins struck for each member of his unit. One of the men was later shot down and captured by German forces. Stripped of all identification, he had no way for others to know who he was. But he was able to keep the coin, which he carried in a pouch worn around his neck.

The solider was able to escape German custody, and donned civilian clothes to evade capture. He eventually came across a group of French soldiers, but was unable to communicate because he didn’t speak French and the soldiers spoke no English. Because the French had been victims of enemy saboteurs dressed as civilians before, they treated the American as an enemy combatant and prepared to execute him.

Before they did so, he was able to show them the coin. One of the French troops recognized the insignia of the man’s unit. Instead of executing him, they shared wine and saw him safely back to his squad.

From that day, the men of the unit carried their coins with them at all times. As the story spread, the legend grew, and soon other units had their own custom coins as well. Eventually, the challenge came along – when challenged, a soldier had to show his coin or buy the next round of drinks.

Another tale links the challenge coins to postwar Germany, and American soldiers conducting “pfennig checks.” The pfennig was the lowest denomination of German money at the time, worth only a fraction of a U.S. cent. If a soldier was able to show a pfennig from his pocket, indicating he was saving them, he was deemed too poor to buy the next round. Those without a pfennig on hand were on the hook for the drinks.

A third version ties the challenge coin to soldiers in Vietnam. Some kept a piece of “lucky ordnance,” a bullet that just missed them, for example. When slammed on a bar or table, the challenge was for others to show their own lucky ordnance or buy the next round. When the challenges grew to include unexploded grenades and live rounds, military officials said “enough,” and began issuing coins to be used instead.

Today’s coins are given for achievements and meritorious service in all branches of the U.S. military, and the custom has spread to other nations as well. From the lowest Army private to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and even the Commander in Chief, coins have become a way to recognize accomplishment, shared sacrifice and service. They have found their way into popular culture in TV shows, novels and movies as well.

No matter what their origins, custom coins are clearly one facet of military life that shows no signs of disappearing any time soon. Military Coins USA is the industry leader in top quality custom challenge coins. We offer the highest quality coins, at the lowest prices, with outstanding customer service. For more information, visit our website at www.militarycoinsusa.com, or call toll-free at 877.670.2646.

[unclesamsmisguidedclub]

Latest SecDef Mattis Response: "I'm Saving Money for Bombs"

Latest SecDef Mattis Response: “I’m Saving Money for Bombs”

When a reporter asked SecDef Mattis if he was carrying challenge coins to an international terrorism conference in Aqaba, Jordan earlier in December, he gave a classic Mattis remark: “I’m saving money for bombs.” A Marine asked the Breitbart reporter to ask Mattis if he was carrying challenge coins to give as “tokens of gratitude” to the troops. Of course, he knew full well that probably wasn’t…

View On WordPress