The Cherished Challenge Coins

There is many an elderly ex soldier walking around today still with their challenge coins safely tucked into their wallet, they say old habits die hard and this is true of these coins. For in years gone by it was always considered imperative that a soldier always carried his challenge coins, whether it be in his pocket, wallet or simply worn around his neck in a leather pouch.

Soldiers carried these coins as a symbol of unity within their regiment, their pride at having been honoured in being awarded the coin, whether it is for simply belonging and being an active member of their squadron or for an act of sheer courage and bravery, the reason was not important the fact that they had been given the coin was important.

It is said that one young soldier owed his life to one of these challenge coins when unable to prove that he was not a German soldier but in fact an American soldier, with his fate set on his execution he was finally believed when he produced his challenge coin with his squadron insignia emblazoned onto it.

This is just one of the reasons why it is important that every soldier carries his coin or coins with him as they can be awarded more than one coin, indeed many a soldier from previous wars have a collection of challenge coins from various missions and battles they encountered and will mean the same to them as any medal that they may have been awarded for bravery as well.

Whatever the reason for being awarded the coins, you can be sure that soldiers will cherish and keep their coins until their dying day, when, it has been known, they have them been passed down the family to younger members to keep and value just as much.

For more information, visit www.lapelpinscn.com. They offer information on military coins, including military challenge coins.