What Should You Know Before Getting a Challenge Coin

Significance of a Challenge Coin

Whether in the air force, navy, or infantry, the military exchanges the most difficult coins. A first responder, police, or fire challenge coin may also be shared among individual squads or crews. Every group or event can be commemorated with custom challenge coins. Coins for AA, scout troops, and sports teams are some examples.

Their advantages are numerous, regardless of their purpose or design. They serve as a physical form of team bonding, remember a major occasion or milestone, and boost morale in your workplace or business. Bosses can create and distribute personalized challenge coins to their employees. This is one of the best ways to recognize their exceptional work. It's a win-win for both sides. A lack of recognition is the primary reason employees leave their jobs, and fixing this problem leads to a 31% lower turnover rate.

Basic Challenge Coin Etiquette

The most important element of challenge coin etiquette is taking care of your coin. Keep it clean and store it in a safe place where you won't lose it.

You should also respect the coin's original purpose. Don't use it as a bracelet or belt buckle, or drill a hole in it to wear it as a necklace.

Challenge Coin Checks

If you plan to use your challenge coin for coin checks, you'll need to know the rules that apply to this longstanding tradition.

The first and most important rule is to keep your coin with you at all times. You never know when a challenge will be given.

If you're the one initiating the check, make sure you do so in a way that gets everyone's attention.

If you drop your coin and it makes a noise, that's a sign that you've accidentally issued a challenge. It is also poor challenge coin etiquette because it shows you haven't taken care of your coin.

Explain the rules of the coin check before you begin

Everyone must place their coin on the table. You lose if you place your coin too far from your seat. It shouldn't take you more than four steps to reach it.

Don't put your coin in anyone's hand because this signals that you want to give it to them. You must either place it on the table, hold it in the palm of your hand, or hold it high for everyone to see.

If everyone properly displays their coins, the last one to do so, or the one who initiated the challenge, is the one responsible for paying?

There is no definitive ranking system for challenge coins, but there are a few standards to use if you can all agree on them. They'll help judge who wins if everyone displays a different coin.

As far as value goes, from most common to least common, the list goes store-bought, promotional, unit, general officer, military school, and medal of honor coins. You may also judge them based on design or personal significance.

Finally, remember that you can only initiate one coin check per night.

Challenge Coin Exchanges

The way you present the coin is another important part of challenge coin etiquette.

A simple handoff like the military handshake is the most traditional method. It works for almost any organization. Most challenge coin recipients appreciate the recognition but don't want the exchange to become a major event.

It's also acceptable to buy a challenge coin at a flea market or online. This is the best method for history buffs or collectors who want a specific pin from a group they don't belong to.

Purchasing a Challenge Coin

Team-building and recognition are essential to the health of any organization, from the military to the Boy Scouts. Challenge coins help with these factors. Their history is unclear, but they're significant symbols that should be treated as such.

Understanding challenge coin etiquette is the best way to respect this long-standing tradition. It involves respecting the coin itself, following the rules of a check, and knowing how to buy one or give one away.

Custom challenge coins have a range of types and styles to choose from when making one. Welcome contact us today.