How It All Began

Back in WW I, a moderately wealthy flying officer had a set of coins produced at his own expense, bearing the squadron badge. He gifted them to his fellow officers to promote unit loyalty and esprit-de-corps. 

In the heat of battle, one of his comrades was shot down over enemy territory. He donned civilian attire and was in the process of making his way home when he was challenged by the local underground movement - and was about to be executed as a spy.

The only way he had of proving his loyalties was by presenting his squadron coin, located in a leather pouch about his neck.

Since then, this tradition has been embraced by the international military, police, fire and EMS communities as a way to promote camaraderie and display unit pride, dedication and devotion to the public they serve.

Ask any serviceman or women about 'Challenge Coins' and they all have a story.

During the wars in the Middle East, thousands of  soldiers were coined, as an award for their extraordinary courage, dedication and heroism in battle.