Military Challenge Coins – the Firsts of the Modern Times!

Military challenge coins which are specially minted for a select few star performers, allow military organizations to show their gratitude towards military members who have illustrated the best of talents and the highest standards of service for the organizations.

More and more groups and institutions like to order and collect challenge coins now. But as a coin lover, how much do you know about the initial stories of challenge coins? There are three classical stories about military challenge coins you should know.

The first mention of a challenge coin in modern times comes from World War I. The legend goes that a French officer gave away a novelty bronze coin to each member of his flying squad during World War I.

Unfortunately, one of the members of the squad crashed into the German territory and he was captured. The Germans stripped the pilot except for the leather pouch hanging around his neck. Luckily, it was in this pouch that he had kept the coin.

Later, the pilot successfully escaped into France. But, given the tensions between countries at that time, he was perceived as a spy sent by Germany to infiltrate their ranks. The pilot was imprisoned and awaited execution.

It was at this point that the pilot presented the coin and a fellow French pilot recognizes it. It was a novelty piece that only the members of his squad knew about. Isn`t it amazing? The unique challenge coins can really save the lives of soldiers!