California Corporate Coins

Challenge coins have a rich history throughout the United States Military. The tradition began to rise in popularity especially during the Vietnam War. Soldiers began to practice a game involving challenging one another to pull out a round of live ammunition carried in their pocket. Entire battalions of soldiers would carry at least one live round in their pocket at all times and when one member of a team instigated a challenge, or bullet check, every member of the squad had to produce their round as fast as possible. 

Rules varied from group to group. Some followed the rule that if someone initiated a challenge by pulling out their own bullet and the rest of the squad was able to comply, the instigator would own everyone a round of drinks at the next stop. If a person could not meet the challenge by produce a bullet then that individual would have to buy the round for the team. Some groups made stipulations that if you took less than three steps to reach your bullet you would be safe, and others said if you pulled out your bullet and dropped it than you would fail the challenge. The list of rules goes on. 

However, in general, squads would be instigating challenges in bars and restaurants all over the place and slapping the live ammunition onto table and bar tops. As the game grew in popularity, soldiers began trying to one-up each other by carrying more ridiculous types of ammunition. Everything from .50 caliber bullets to live mortar rounds were being slammed on tables by enthusiastic soldiers. 

Seeing potential for extreme danger, commanding officers sought a substitute for the bullet challenge rather than outlawing the practice altogether. The superior officers saw the benefit of the challenge game as an incredible source of building team camaraderie and relieving stress in the high-intensity landscape of war. Challenge coins were born out of a need for a safe substitute for the bullets soldiers carried around. Officers commissioned the coins to be custom minted with emblems and artwork that reflected the spirit of their platoons, squads, and battalions alike. 

Today, the challenge coin tradition is still prevalent through every branch of the armed forces and Signature Coins has been making custom designed coins for a variety of teams, forts, and divisions in the United States Military.

But what does any of this have to do with California corporate coins?

The tradition of challenge coins has bled into a wide assortment of different organizations across the country over the years. Sports teams, law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders all use challenge coins and large companies as well have found the benefits custom coins can have on a workforce.

Custom California corporate coins are used to distinguish the foot soldiers of your company. Just as commanding officers saw the benefit of the “challenge game” their troops had started, so have leaders in all walks of life. Running a business is a competitive calling. It is easy for employees to become jaded after months and years of grinding through the course of work. It can be a bleak and stressful environment. Giving your team a set of corporate coins is a means of showing appreciation to your staff, of motivating them towards reaching company goals, and of creating a culture of positive team spirit. 

Your employees do not need to partake in the same challenge coin game as the soldiers around the armed service, but they will each feel the individual pride and accomplishment minted into each coin. 

Get started with your set of California corporate coins today!