Colorado Military Challenge Coins Foster Connection

The Rich History of Challenge Coins

Challenge coins have a long and storied history dating back to Ancient Rome. These meaningful tokens represent membership, achievement, unity, and connection. Many organizations, including military units, police departments, and even companies utilize custom-made challenge coins to foster morale and commemorate milestones.

Challenge Coins Arrive Stateside Through Military Tradition

It wasn’t until the 20th century that the tradition of carrying and exchanging challenge coins came to the United States through military service members. One of the first documented cases was in 1947 when Lieutenant Colonel “Buffalo Bill” Quinn had bronze medallions made for members of his 17th Infantry Regiment. These became some of the first true American military challenge coins.

Over the following decades, the practice grew as more units created their own custom coins. Before long, challenge coins transcended the armed forces with other governmental agencies, like police and fire departments, and civilian companies adopting them.

Fort Carson Keeps Challenge Coin Customs Alive

Modern military installations like Fort Carson in Colorado carry this time-honored tradition into the 21st century. Units of all types stationing at Fort Carson have challenge coins made for their members. These meaningful keepsakes depict insignia, mottos, and images unique to the group.

CPT Juan Ospina’s 68th DSSB coin provides the perfect example. One side features the American flag alongside the text “Death from Above” and unit designation. An Apache helicopter adorns the opposite side, representing the aviation support provided by the unit. Powerful icons like these make challenge coins highly prized by their recipients.

The Excitement and Camaraderie of the Coin Challenge

While owning a challenge coin is special, these tokens hold even greater meaning when “challenged.” If asked to present your coin, failure to do so requires buying the challenger a drink. Coins preserve memories through this fun tradition which builds camaraderie and morale.

Coins Get Put to the Test

It may sound simple, but coin challenges involve more pomp and circumstance. The challenger states their name, rank, and unit as they present their coin. They then “challenge” others to show their coins as a “proof of membership.” Anyone not producing one buys drinks while those meeting the challenge are viewed as equals.

This game thrives on military bases like Fort Carson where challenge coins display solidarity. It also enables friendly competition with bragging rights when your coin beats an opponent’s. Most importantly, it facilitates storytelling and bonding over the coins’ heritage.

True Connections Run Deeper Than Drinks

At its heart, being challenged reveals whether someone belongs to your unique tribe. Veterans often exchange coins when reuniting years later. This immediately reestablishes their connection through a familiar ritual. Custom challenge coins thus represent far more than avoiding a drink penalty. They form lifelong bonds forged in military service.

Colorado Challenge Coins Capture Unit Pride

Military challenge coins hold deep personal meaning for those who serve. Units stationing across Colorado take great pride in designing tokens that encapsulate their history and traditions.

Meaningful Symbols & Motifs Make Coins Unique

Coin designers incorporate many visual elements with significance to the unit like:

• Insignia & logos
• Founding date or location
• Motto or creed
• Noteworthy commanders
• Awards & battle honors
• Unit mascot or other icons

These details make challenge coins special for each recipient while allowing others to understand the unit’s legacy.

Coins Build Connections Across Communities

Despite their military origins, challenge coins now extend into civilian spheres. Fire departments, police forces, veterans groups, companies, charities, and other organizations now utilize them to honor members for length of service, special achievements, or retirement.

Coins even get exchanged beyond these entities to recognize community supporters. JROTC instructors, military family groups, volunteers, and local leaders now frequently receive challenge coins as thanks for their efforts.

This expanding inclusiveness shows how challenge coins create human connections that make Colorado stronger.

The Next Generation of Challenge Coins

Challenge coins offer timeless value with collectability and meaning that persists through decades. Even as coins get passed down or exchanged, new ones continue getting minted as today’s military members carry on the tradition.

Fresh Ideas Bring New Life to Coins

While challenge coins follow long-held customs, adding modern twists makes them relevant for current units. This keeps the heritage alive while better representing present-day personnel.

Some fresher coin styles include:

• New shapes like dog tags, arrows, or stars
• Bottle opener functionality
• Glow-in-the-dark images
• Custom bottle opener functionality
• Higher relief 3D designs
• Incorporating QR codes

Technology even enables ordering convenient online and accessing mobile design tools for customizing coins.

Coins Transform but Remain Meaningful

Though coins evolve aesthetically, their significance stays unchanged. They still represent hard work, sacrifice, belonging, and pride for those serving in America’s military.

This is no different for 21st century service members in Colorado’s units. The challenge coin tradition continues giving them tangible tokens representing camaraderie forged through dutiful service.

FAQs

When did the tradition of military challenge coins begin?

The origins of challenge coins trace back to World War I when a wealthy lieutenant had medallions made for his unit. However, they did not gain widespread popularity until the Vietnam War era. Since then, they have become deeply ingrained military and organizational traditions.

What is a coin challenge?

A coin challenge occurs when someone holds up their coin and "challenges" others around them to present their coins as well. Those unable to do so owe a drink to the challenger. This builds camaraderie while allowing members to proudly display their unit affiliation.

Why are some coins more expensive than others?

Custom design, size, metal selection, relief technique, antiquing, cut outs, enameling, plating - all impact coin cost. More complex multi-die cast coins with color fills or cutouts cost much more than simple debossed brass coins. Rare vintage coins also fetch higher prices from collectors.

Where can I buy military challenge coins?

Many online retailers offer custom coins that units can design to their specifications. Base exchanges also sell coins for local units stationed on post. Collector coins get traded on specialty online marketplaces or purchased at military memorabilia stores or militaria shows.