What are Challenge Coins and What do they Symbolize

ByAmericanpatchandpin
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A challenge coin is a specially designed coin that is given to someone to confirm membership in a group or organization. Challenge coins can also honor a person for their special achievements. Generally, they are small, metal coins that can easily fit in the palm of your hand. Each challenge coin has a unique design that belongs to that particular group or organization. The insignia or emblem of the organization, along with its motto can be etched and engraved directly into the coin. Though they are usually made round, some challenge coins can also come in other shapes too. Challenge coins can be made from a wide variety of metals including bronze, zinc, brass, etc. Some organizations also make exclusive and expensive challenge coins out of 24-carat gold.

What Do Challenge Coins Represent?                               

Challenge coins represent organizations, groups, units, teams, etc. They can also represent an achievement, a special event, or an anniversary, depending upon what they are sued for. They build close, lasting bonds among the people who receive them and represent unity. They have a long-standing tradition in the military, but the military isn’t the only service that uses them. First responder groups also have a history of using challenge coins and civilian groups are also starting to use them to represent accomplishments in their businesses. It is an excellent way to build morale among teams, link people with similar interests, and also to promote the brand.

Purpose of Challenge Coins:

The purpose of challenge coins depends on the reason it was made in the first place. It can be used for membership, recognition, creating bonds between people of a group, or commemorating a special event.

  • Membership:

In the military, challenge coins are proof that you served on a specific tour of duty or that you are a member of a particular unit. Earlier, they were used for security, where a member might be required to show the coin to prove loyalty. This may not be necessary today, but challenge coins are still a strong military tradition.

  • Recognition and Awards:

Challenge coins are used to award people who perform their duties extremely well. This builds pride and morale while motivating others to perform well too.

  • To Create Bonds and Connections:

The tradition of challenge coins is to keep members of the military connected to one another, even after they leave the service. Veterans frequently and proudly display their coins from units they have served and missions they have been on. First responders receive coins for their heroic efforts during the call of duty. Challenge coins also pay tribute to events that members of an organization endured together and create an everlasting bond.

  • Branding:

Most recently, challenge coins are also being used to identify a company brand or logo. Corporations hand them out at conferences, sales events, and trade shows. This is mostly because a challenge coin is certainly more respectable and memorable than a business card. Even schools and sports teams are jumping into this tradition to build exclusivity and bonding.

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