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The other side to this tradition is the Challenge, typically occurring in a bar setting. If one officer puts their coin on the table, they are challenging the others. All other attending officers are expected to have their coins. If anyone is missing his, he must purchase the next round of drinks. If everyone has their coin, then the challenger is responsible for the next round.
This fun and richly historic tradition is now making it’s way outside of the military. Custom made coins are being employed throughout all walks of life as a way to announce where your loyalties lie.
War is pain. War tears apart lives and minds. In the midst of World War II, a squadron leader was looking to boost the morale of his group, so he commissioned some custom made coins which bore the insignia of their unit. This simple symbol of fellowship ended up saving the life of one of his pilots, and changing military tradition for years to come.
The story goes that the pilot was shot down, and apprehended by German forces. They stripped him of all of his belongings, and left him with nothing except for a leather pouch tied around his neck, which contained the coin gifted to him by his commanding officer.
Against all odds he managed to escape. He fled into France where he attempted to fit in with the locals. The French people of the area did not recognize his accent, and therefore feared him to be a German spy. He was once again apprehended, with no way to prove his identity. Consequently, execution was imminent. In an act of final desperation he showed his coin to his captors. A French commander recognized the insignia of his unit, halted the execution, and instead gifted the man a bottle of wine.
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We ask that you give as much detail as possible in an effort to help our designers to better envision your idea.
For last minute orders, we recommend Photo Etched or Silk Screen pins, as these are produced much more quickly than other options.
Soft Enamel fillings add to production time, so please be aware that this can affect your receiving date.
