If you’ve been in the military or worked for the Defense Department, you know what a challenge coin is. They’ve been an American military tradition for a century, meant to instill unit pride, improve esprit de corps and reward hard work and excellence.The coins represent anything from a small unit to the offices of top leaders, such as the defense secretary. There are also coins made for special events, anniversaries and even nonmilitary leaders. Many service members and veterans proudly display challenge coins at their desks or homes, showing off the many missions they’ve been on, the top leaders they’ve met and the units for which they’ve worked. But how did this tradition get started?

Their are many different accounts that tell the origins of the Challenge Coin and how they came to be a Military tradition. One story goes as far back as the Roman Empire when they rewarded soldiers by presenting them with coins to recognize their outstanding achievements. In Rome, if soldiers excelled in battle, they would receive their typical day’s wages along with a separate special coin. According to some accounts, these special coins were minted featuring the marks of the legions from which they served. As a result, some soldiers apparently kept their coins as mementos, instead of spending them.

Another account claims that the tradition started during WWI, As the U.S. started building up its Army Air Service, many men volunteered to serve. One of those men was a wealthy lieutenant who wanted to give each member of his unit a memento, so he ordered several coin sized bronze medallions to be made.