What Are the Rules For a Challenge Coin Check?

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Originally Posted On: https://www.challengecoins4less.com/blog/what-are-the-rules-for-a-challenge-coin-check

Challenge coins represent a historical tradition that is believed to date all the way back to the Roman Empire as part of a reward system. Challenge coins are best known for their role in the military, given out to members of military units, battalions, or branches to establish a feeling of identity and camaraderie among soldiers.

That depends on who presents it. In the U.S. military, a challenge coin may be your introduction to the service, such as an Army recruit coin. Or it can indicate reaching a milestone. Air Force recruits receive their first coin, the Airman Coin, at the conclusion of basic training. It marks their first official rank. Over the course of an enlisted career, any service member can receive many challenge coins.

Although challenge coins have strong ties to the military, they are becoming more common in civilian organizations as well. They’re commonly used to honor outstanding achievement, recognize longevity in the workplace and celebrate company milestones.

Challenge coins are pieces of art, valued on a sentimental level, and that to an outsider, may look like nothing more than a collectible. Whether military or civilian, it is an honor to be given a challenge coin.

A “coin check” is an challenge specific to an organization that uses challenge coins. One coin holder challenges another individual or group of coin holders to present their coins in a timely manner. If the coin holder who is challenged produces the coin, then the challenger buys drinks. If the coin holder who is challenged cannot show their coin, or if they produce it last in a group setting, they buy the drinks. Coin checks are meant to be a fun and playful challenge that keeps the intended camaraderie alive.

Coin check rules vary from organization to organization, and there are no “set-in-stone” rules for challenges. While military traditions typically see coin checks used to determine who buys a round of drinks, civilian groups might use coin checks to gain entrance into a meeting, for example. While there aren’t any official rules, general coin check etiquette includes:

• All coin check rules and regulations must be explained to new members so that they are not at a disadvantage.
• Anyone in the group can initiate a challenge at any given moment and any given place. In a military setting, that includes the shower. Always remember to bring your coin wherever you may go so that you’re prepared for a challenge at any time.
• Challenges are initiated either by announcing the challenge aloud, or sometimes more discreetly, by placing your coin in plain sight of another coin-holder or group of coin-holders.
• When a coin check is initiated, the participants must display their coins quickly. The definition of  “quickly” varies between organizations. Some groups require the coin to be on the coin-holder’s person, while others have an allotted amount of space that a person can go to get their coin, say, an arm’s length, or a certain amount of steps. The principle is that a coin holder should never leave their challenge coin too far away.
• If the person being challenged is able to produce their coin according to  the rules, the challenger must carry out their punishment. If the person challenged is unable to perform the rules of the coin check, then they must follow through with their punishment. While “punishment” seems harsh, most of the time it entails footing the bill on a round of drinks. The punishment also depends on the organization’s stipulations.
• If a person is lucky enough to obtain a coin, they should take care of their coin. That means no defacing and no modifications. This is commonly expressed as a rule that “a coin is a coin.” Turning it into a medallion or a keychain means it’s no longer a coin. A good rule of thumb is to keep your coin looking as close to the way it looked when you received it. Challenge coins are considered a treasure, so treasure them accordingly.

The short answer is anyone. You can order challenge coins for any event, achievement, or milestone. From new product introductions to promotions to graduations and beyond, there’s a challenge coin for just about every purpose you can imagine.

In the military, officers typically present challenge coins to enlisted personnel. From sergeant up the Secretary of Defense and beyond, any officer can honor military members for service, achievement, valor and other reasons.

Even the Presidents of the United States have their own personalized challenge coin that they can present to deserving service members. One of the highest honors a U.S. Armed Forces member can receive is a challenge coin from their Commander in Chief. Traditionally, they are presented by the President to a select few.

Awarding a challenge coin is a big deal, but does not require a formal ceremony. In fact, giving a challenge coin is typically a private affair, and the actual transaction is traditionally a very discreet process. For example, when military organizations award coins to deserving members, the process is done via handshake. The person awarding the coin holds their hand out to shake the new coin recipient’s hand, and silently passes the coin on while shaking hands.

Challenge coins are meant to represent identities and hold a great deal of sentimental value. It is important to explain that, as well as any other rules and regulations specific to your group, to anyone you choose to award a coin to. By elaborating on the challenge coin, the associated rules, and the longstanding traditions like coin checks, you are keeping a tradition of honor alive.

Civilians can give challenge coins, and custom challenge coins are becoming more common outside of the military. Examples of civilian organizations that might give challenge coins include:

Law Enforcement
Firefighter Association
Fraternities and Sororities
Private Organizations and Clubs
Sports
Schools
Businesses
Challenge coins recipients can be proud of their accomplishments, no matter what kind of organization they receive it from.