USN Military Challenge Coin
Military challenge coins are small coins or medallions that bear the insignia or emblem of an organization and are carried by members of that organization. Traditionally, they are used to prove membership when challenged and to boost morale. These coins are also collected by servicemen and law enforcement officers. Historically, challenge coins were given by unit commanders to recognize the special achievements of unit members. They can also be exchanged when visiting organizations.
Modern challenge coins may include pop culture attributes or organizational values. They are made in a variety of sizes and often use pop culture references, including superheroes and other well-known characters, to create a unique identity.
There are several stories about the origins of challenge coins, many of which stem from popular culture based on current events. The Roman Empire issued coins to reward soldiers for their achievements. In Rome, if a soldier performed well in battle, they would receive their daily wage plus an additional bonus coin, which was specially minted with the insignia of their legion. As a result, some soldiers apparently kept their coins as mementos rather than spending them.
Challenge coins were also known as "portrait medals" during the Renaissance and were often used to commemorate specific events involving royalty, nobility, or other wealthy individuals. These medals were given as gifts or prizes and were also exchanged among friends and colleagues. The most common format was one side depicting the patron, and the other side showing something that represented the individual's family, lineage, and/or coat of arms.
The first instance of using coins as a response to an actual challenge may come from the religious wars in 17th-century France. After Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685, France's Protestants began to be persecuted by the state for their illegal religion. Many Protestants fled France to find religious freedom elsewhere. Among those who chose to stay in France were some from the Protestant group known as the Huguenots, who were forced to conduct religious services in secret. To avoid infiltration by state spies, the Huguenots began carrying their Méréau communion coins. When challenged while attempting to enter a Protestant church service, a Huguenot would present his Méréau coin as a sign of loyalty to the Protestant church and gain entry.
The tradition of challenge coins is the most common way to ensure members carry their unit's coin. The rules of the challenge are not always formalized for a unit and can vary between organizations. The challenge only applies to members who have been officially given a coin by their unit. This can lead to some disputes when challenges are initiated between members of different organizations, which is not recommended. The tradition of coin challenges means to be a source of unit morale, and forcing challenges can have the opposite effect. The act of initiating a challenge is known as a "coin check," which is usually announced loudly.
Challenges can be conducted at any time, with the challenger starting by drawing his/her coin and slapping or placing the coin on a table or bar. In a noisy environment, repeatedly tapping the challenge coin on the surface may initiate the challenge. (Accidentally dropping a challenge coin is considered a deliberate challenge to all present.) Each person challenged must immediately present their organization's coin; anyone who fails to do so must buy a round of drinks for the challenger and everyone else with a challenge coin. However, if every person challenged can present their coin, the challenger must buy a round of drinks for the group.
Although most challenge coin holders typically keep them in their pockets or in other easily accessible places on their person, most versions of the rules allow the challenged person to be "one step away and arm's reach" or if a person has extra coins to pass one to the nearest person. Coins on a belt buckle or keychain are not suitable for responding to a challenge. However, coins in a pouch around the neck are suitable for responding to a coin challenge.