A Discussion About Air Force Coins
The custom of challenge coins which began in the military and has spread to society in general originated with Air Force coins. It is believed that the tradition of the challenge happened in the first World War involving a Army Air corpsman. The widespread popularity of these emblems has been the stimulus for the rise of a large collector community. Most coins bear unit identification and a slogan descriptive of the unit.
What started years ago as a military custom expanded to civilian groups and is now a world wide hobby of collecting. These unit emblems were initially ordered by leaders of a squadron to present to their members as a means to lift morale. Their true origins may never be certain, but the story goes that in the days of the Army Air Corps, a wealthy lieutenant had the first coin struck for his pilots.
Although it is uncertain exactly where this tradition began, many accept the legend that the aforementioned Air Corps unit was the first when its commander issued coins to the pilots in his squadron. The challenge came about when one of the pilots escaped capture from the Germans and was challenged by a patrol of French soldiers.’
Since the pilot had been stripped of his identification when captured, he had no way to prove that he was not a saboteur, who the French were under orders to shoot. But, as he carried his coin around his neck in a pouch, he was able to show it and the French spared his life. From this incident it is said came the habit of the challenge and the prohibition against carrying the coins on a chain or in a wallet.
It was out of this first challenge that the custom developed that when a member of a unit met fellow members, they would pull out their coin as a challenge to the others to do the same. By the 1990s, it had become traditional for a units leader to have a medallion manufactured to give to new recruits as they completed their training and for existing members as morale builders.
From the growth of this tradition of the challenge and as more units issued their own medallions, interest in collecting them also evolved. As the history of coins struck by Air Force units is the longest, these are some of the rarest and most valuable for collectors to locate. One in particular is a famous Bulldog coin that was given to tail gunners of B52s.
This practice has spread so there are now many Air Force medallions available and people seeking them will have no difficulty finding a large selection to choose from. With an internet keyword search the collector will be able to choose from a long list of companies who sell or trade the coins, and multiple mints who make them.
Most Air Force coins display the branch and unit and the rank insignia of the airman to which it is issued. There may also be a slogan printed or engraved on it and a graphic or logo symbolic of the unit. As emblems of honored association to each other and boosters of morale, these coins are part of a proud tradition.
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