What is a Challenge Coin & How Does It Work?

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If you’re in the military or a first responder, you’ve probably seen or been given a challenge coin for meeting a dignitary, getting a promotion, or even for merit.

So, what is a challenge coin, and what does it represent? A challenge coin is a coin that’s specially designed to represent an occasion or an organization. These coins are usually small and made of various metals, including brass, zinc, and bronze. Some challenge coins are also made of 24-carat gold.

The coins usually have a unique design belonging to the institution they represent. The insignia or emblem of the organization is usually engraved onto the coin. The organization’s motto may also be etched around the coin’s edge.

While most coins are round, some come in other shapes. Some designs also include unique features or cutouts.

What Do Challenge Coins Represent?

These coins represent teams, organizations, or units. They can also represent a special event, an anniversary, or an achievement. A challenge coin represents unity and builds lasting, close-knit bonds between the individuals given the coins. They have long been used in the military and by first responders.

A History of Challenge Coins

The tradition of challenge coins is said to have begun among soldiers in the military. The earliest accounts date the practice back to Ancient Rome when unique coins were awarded to soldiers to appreciate their bravery in battle. Various historians claim that the unique coins were marked with their battalion’s symbol, which prompted most soldiers to keep them as souvenirs.

Others believe that the origin of these coins can be traced to World War I. The story goes that German soldiers captured the aircraft of a pilot soldier who received a stamped bronze medallion and was a spy.

It is said that even after the German soldiers took the pilot’s personal identification to discourage his escape, the young soldier still found a way to escape. After finding his way back to his home base, he used his medallion to prove he wasn’t a spy. However, this is likely a myth.

What Challenge are Challenge Coins Associated with?

This varies between groups, but generally, the challenge is linked to drinking. It was started as a way to ensure that all members of a squadron had their coin with them at all times.

The most common version of this challenge entails one group member, referred to as the challenger, initiating the challenge by placing the coin on the nearest surface. Individuals around the challenger must then produce their own challenge coins.

If any person cannot produce a challenge coin for the “coin check,” they have to buy drinks for those who produced theirs. However, if every individual presents their coin, the challenger is tasked with buying the drinks.

The original purpose of the challenge was to avail the coin for security purposes, as those who couldn’t produce a coin were considered impostors. However, as better security systems were implemented, the use of the coin became more of a tradition than for official use.

The traditional rules of the challenge also forbid the coin from being defaced, especially if defacing will make it easier to carry. For example, if the coin has a hole drilled in it so that it can be attached to a lanyard, keyring, or belt buckle, it can no longer qualify as a challenge coin.

 

What Does it Mean to be Given a Challenge Coin?

As mentioned above, challenge coins are awarded for different reasons. Some groups give their members unique challenge coins to signify their acceptance into the group. For instance, the Air Force gives basic and officer training graduates challenge coins to commemorate their graduation.

A coin’s rank is usually determined by the rank of the person giving the challenge coin. For instance, a challenge coin from an admiral will outrank a challenge coin from a vice admiral. Traditionally, a challenge coin is usually given during a handshake. Coins are also ranked by the level of difficulty endured to attain them.

Other groups give challenge coins to individuals who’ve achieved something significant to honor exceptional accomplishments in the line of duty. For instance, some fire departments and law enforcement agencies award challenge coins to officers who go beyond the call of duty.

Politicians and government agencies also use challenge coins to recognize first responders in their communities, creating a sense of unity and honor, especially during a tragedy or loss. In addition, challenge coins can also be given to non-members in special circumstances.

Military vs. First Responder Challenge Coins

Recently, civilian groups have begun using them to promote brands, build team morale, and link individuals with similar interests. Some corporations have even started handing out challenge coins at trade shows, conferences, and sales events.

It makes sense since a challenge coin is unforgettable compared to a business card. Apart from companies, sports teams and schools have also begun using challenge coins for branding. Team logos and school mascots are engraved onto coins that are handed out at different events.

Challenge coins today may have evolved, but they were initially used for much more severe purposes. So, what is a challenge coin’s historical background? Once upon a time, soldiers would often have to display their challenge coins to prove their loyalty. For example, a soldier approaching a military camp may be required to show their coin to prove they’re not spies. Later, they would become purely ceremonial.

Although issuing challenge coins for identification purposes has primarily gone extinct, veterans and first responders still wear them with pride. If you’ve ever wondered, “What are challenge coins?” it’s important to note that they’re there to form bonds and connections. Many former military staff members carry their coins to show which units they served in, the countries they fought in, any special missions they embarked on, and the leaders they met.

How Can I Get a Custom Challenge Coin?

Now that we’ve answered “What is a challenge coin used for?” and “How do challenge coins work?” you have insight into the illustrious history and rich tradition surrounding challenge coin culture. So, where can you get your own?

Whether you’re a first responder, a veteran, or someone who wants to create a new tradition within your business, Lone Star can help you design your custom coin.

So, what’s a challenge coin’s key features, and how do you purchase one? Here’s how to order your coin in three easy steps with Lone Star.

Step One - Create Your Design

What is a challenge coin’s design process?

Unlike other challenge coin companies, you don’t need a ready-made design to get started. Even if you have nothing more than an idea or a concept, our design team will work to bring it to life.

We offer free and unlimited revisions, so you don’t need to worry about getting it right the first time. You pay nothing until you approve the final design.

Step Two - Get a Proof & Quote

We will deliver your proof for review, and you’ll also receive a quote. The dollar figure on your quote is all you’ll have to pay. We don’t add hidden fees or deliver unpleasant surprises later in the process.

If you’re unhappy with the proof, please tell us what changes you’d like to make, and our design team will return with another proof.

Step Three - Approve & Purchase

The final step is to approve the final design and pay. Due to the customized nature of our products, we cannot offer cash refunds after you’ve approved the final design and paid.

Once your payment has been received, producing your coins takes around 14 days. Expect to wait around three weeks from payment to receive your challenge coins.

Awarding a Challenge Coin

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About Lone Star
Challenge Coins

We continually strive each day to make Lone Star Pins and Challenge coins the industry leader for all your promotional item needs. We do this by creating a customer centric environment. By putting our customers’ needs first, providing them with the industry’s best artwork, customer service and products, and by exceeding all expectations, we hope to create the ultimate customer experience.

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J and jarren
J and jarren
10 November 2023
My class spent well over $9,000 on our class coins. First issue, they didn't get them to us in a timely manner. We received them barely in time for graduation. Second, they sent us coins with a misspelled word (brave) as seen in the picture. Third issue, a lot of the spinners came broken, also as seen in the picture. When I reached out to the company, they claim sending replacement coins out at a later date is rectifying of this situation. Very empathetic to the situation at hand overall. Not very professional at all, terrible business practices and they definitely will not receive future business from me nor any recommendations either. Zero stars
M. Wong
M. Wong
27 October 2023
I found this company last year after a recommendation from a friend and I've ordered several times now. What keeps me coming back is the high level of customer service and responsiveness in the projects that have been created. The work product is also great and the quality of the coins, detail and just overall, I am very pleased with. This is my GO TO shop now for coins. Please check them out, you will not be disappointed! PS. Big shout to Corbin for his amazing guest service!
Stephen Ryan
Stephen Ryan
25 October 2023
This company is fantastic! I reached out to them to create a custom shaped coin with custom artwork that they had put together for me. The coins are a Veteran's Day thank you token for those who served at our company. We will definitely be returning for future orders. From start to finish, they were very open with communication, extremely fast to respond to concerns and questions, and lastly delivered something that blew us out of the water. Thank you so much!
Alejandra O'Connor
Alejandra O'Connor
25 October 2023
I ordered challenge coins on behalf of my government agency. Lone Star was easy to work with and did amazing things with the graphics I sent. They turned the artwork around quickly and each time it was better than what we had hoped for. We did have several back and forth messages to get the coin exactly as we wanted it. Our representative was so patient with us and had excellent customer service. We also got the coins in the mail quickly. Working with Lone Star was a wonderful experience end-to-end.
Italy Mair
Italy Mair
18 October 2023
Great service, great communication, and great products! Would definitely recommend them.
Rafael Moronta
Rafael Moronta
13 October 2023
Amazing artwork.. aside from the product what I loved most of our experience was the flexibility to create a coin that’s exceeds your own expectations. Thank you guys so much for making the process seamless and affordable!
Tyler
Tyler
5 October 2023
Absolutely fantastic company to work with. Communication was always quick, and the final product looked even better than the proof did. 10/10 would recommend!
ALISON BOLAND
ALISON BOLAND
26 September 2023
I engaged with Lone star challenge coins to make coins for my fiancé's celebration of life. I was pretty clueless about design, and they provided the perfect design. The coins arrived in time, and we were more than satisfied with the outcome. Their customer service was excellent as well. They guided me (held my hand) throughout the process, and were quick to respond. I cannot say enough about their product and company.
Debbie Avinger
Debbie Avinger
26 September 2023
We are so grateful for the work Lone Star Challenge Coins did for our nonprofit fundraising event! They worked with our budget and gave us medals with ribbons and challenge coins that were better than we expected.
Dan Kiser
Dan Kiser
22 September 2023
Corbin was very combative when I explained that the design provided was not at all reflective of the requests that I provided on the Inquiry form. Based on the customer service alone during that 1 phone call, I am not inclined to pursue any business with this company. EDIT: I spoke to the owner, Mike, and he helped rectify the situation and framed it as a learning opportunity for his team. This is a good reminder that people make mistakes but first impressions matter.
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