Of all the varieties of the challenge coin out there today, the ones that started in all were air force coins. The story goes that the first challenge was issued to a captured airman during World War I. Currently, collecting of these medallions has grown into a huge business. A coin usually has certain standard information depicted on it for unit identification.
The hobby of challenge coin collecting has been around for some time and involves all the branches of the armed services and many private organizations. Originally, these tokens signified ones membership in a military unit and were given by the commander to his troops as a symbol of group solidarity. The tradition of minting these medallions is believed to have begun with a unit of the U. S. Army Air Corps during the first World War, so it in fact precedes the founding of the Air Force.
Legend or not, it has become accepted as gospel that this first officer who conceived of the challenge coin gave them as a token of loyalty which the group felt for their cause. The pact amongst those pilots to always carry their coin may be said to be a contributing factor in the origin of the challenge.
One of the pilots from this first squadron was captured by German soldiers but managed to make his escape. On his return, he was stopped by a group of French soldiers who had been ordered to shoot any German saboteurs dressed as civilians. The pilot had been stripped of his possessions, but still had his coin in a pouch around his neck. When challenged by the French under threat of death, he presented his coin as identification, saving his life.
By the time the custom became widespread around the Persian Gulf War, many unit leaders would have a coin struck to give to new members joining a unit or as a symbol of recognition for a job well done. When new airmen completed their training, they were given a unit insignia to welcome them to the unit, and as a way to make sure pilots carried their coin at all times, the challenge custom developed as a way to prove others had theirs with them.
Around the time of the developing internet, the hobby of collecting the coins rapidly grew to become a phenomena. There are many specimens of coins available issued by Air Force units since their history is the longest out of any branch of the service. An example is the Bulldog, which was issued to B52 tail gunners.
Nowadays, with the spread of collecting and issuing them, numerous coins from the military and other groups are available and their are literally hundreds of sources for the collector to buy, trade and sell. A quick search online will show the range of mints and companies that deal in the medallions.
As bearers of their unit insignia and motto, and usually the rank of the person receiving it, Air Force coins are dandy little pieces of history that may be as valued by the collector as they were by their original owner. With many also bearing an image representing the squadron, they are objects that uniquely symbolize pride and tradition.
Looking for more info on challenge coins? Get the low down now in our guide to everything you need to know about army challenge coins .
