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November 27, 2007
emeraldi42\| The Masonic Challenge Coin Posted at: 5:04 pm Oh the ideas some come up with! There’s nothing like a few brethren getting together and discussing this or that to spice up their lodge activities or go against the grain on a few issues. Hence came the idea of the masonic challenge coin. The masonic challenge coin was tossed in as an idea when discussing gifts for first time visitors, masonic vip’s or a newly raised Master Mason. Most of the lodges that I have been to will usually have a lapel pin or some other piece of jewelry for this purpose but fresh ideas flow like wine in certain company and the masonic challenge coin was one of them. Some of you might know of the challenge coin used by military personnel and the many traditions they carry whether it be at the local bar or as a gift from an officer for a job well done. A couple years ago I was given a masonic coin from the Grand Master that commemorated his year in office. I looked at it and thought “neat, it’s a masonic challenge coin!”. It actually wasn’t and I wasn’t about to go up to the bar in the hotel and slam it down in front of the first brother I came across and demand a drink, but I did think it was quite cool and went back to my lodge and showed it off. I still have this masonic challenge coin and I was thinking that it would be a great gift for lodge members, something a little different that another pin to be tossed in the jar with the other 200. It could even be a state-wide custom where every lodge has their masonic challenge coin like they have their banners and then the brethren can try to collect them all, like the new quarters. And then of course you can always go up to a brother at the bar during the next academy, slam your masonic challenge coin down and if he doesn’t have his then it’s a matter of naming your poison. Who knows? Maybe a masonic challenge coin can be given to the brethren when they recieve their Mark Master coin and have their mark engraved on that as well. Or you could just use the masonic challenge coin as a small paperwieght. The idea of the masonic challenge coin is still in the air but if any of you have them already for your lodge, or remember them from your days in the armed forces let us know of your opinions and ideas and maybe the masonic challenge coin might just become another part of the fraternity’s tradition.
MasonicMinute.com

November 27, 2007

emeraldi42| The Masonic Challenge Coin

Posted at: 5:04 pm

Oh the ideas some come up with! There’s nothing like a few brethren getting together and discussing this or that to spice up their lodge activities or go against the grain on a few issues. Hence came the idea of the masonic challenge coin. The masonic challenge coin was tossed in as an idea when discussing gifts for first time visitors, masonic vip’s or a newly raised Master Mason. Most of the lodges that I have been to will usually have a lapel pin or some other piece of jewelry for this purpose but fresh ideas flow like wine in certain company and the masonic challenge coin was one of them.

Some of you might know of the challenge coin used by military personnel and the many traditions they carry whether it be at the local bar or as a gift from an officer for a job well done. A couple years ago I was given a masonic coin from the Grand Master that commemorated his year in office. I looked at it and thought “neat, it’s a masonic challenge coin!”. It actually wasn’t and I wasn’t about to go up to the bar in the hotel and slam it down in front of the first brother I came across and demand a drink, but I did think it was quite cool and went back to my lodge and showed it off. I still have this masonic challenge coin and I was thinking that it would be a great gift for lodge members, something a little different that another pin to be tossed in the jar with the other 200. It could even be a state-wide custom where every lodge has their masonic challenge coin like they have their banners and then the brethren can try to collect them all, like the new quarters. And then of course you can always go up to a brother at the bar during the next academy, slam your masonic challenge coin down and if he doesn’t have his then it’s a matter of naming your poison.

Who knows? Maybe a masonic challenge coin can be given to the brethren when they recieve their Mark Master coin and have their mark engraved on that as well. Or you could just use the masonic challenge coin as a small paperwieght. The idea of the masonic challenge coin is still in the air but if any of you have them already for your lodge, or remember them from your days in the armed forces let us know of your opinions and ideas and maybe the masonic challenge coin might just become another part of the fraternity’s tradition.

MasonicMinute.com

6 Comments »

Brother, I love the tradition of the Challenge Coin. I have a rather large collection from my military days. Some I traded for, others were given to me as you say for a job well done. When I retired in 2000 there seemed to be a resurgence in coins. Ive started collecting coins from Masonry now but they arent as readily available. The GL of TX does have some available including one that has the GL seal on one side and on the back a place to have your name, date initiated, passed and raised on it. When I was a poor and penniless initiate I was given the coin of the previous GM and I still carry it or the one with my dates on it every day!

Comment by WyndellF — November 28, 2007 @ 8:32 am
I helped design the coin that was given out by the US Military for the Defense Message System project. There are several good companies to work with to get one made!

Comment by WyndellF — November 28, 2007 @ 8:33 am
Interesting, but my ignorance is showing through. Can someone please explain what a challenge coin is?

Comment by Jim — November 28, 2007 @ 9:04 am
A challenge coin is usually a thick coin designed for a particular squadron, batallion, etc. They usually have detailed designs, ensignias, and arms distinguishing them from other challenge coins. From the stories told to me by servicemen and women there are many games, traditions or other “challenges” that surround their coin. One of the more popular ones is that if you go to the local NCO club and show another NCO your coin and they don’t have theirs then they will have to buy you or another predetermined ammount of drinks for the patrons or do some sort of calisthenics or embarrassing task. They are also given by senior officers for recognition.

Comment by emeraldi42 — November 28, 2007 @ 5:12 pm
I LOVE this idea! I (being a civilian on a military base) was never entitled to the privilege of a unit challenge coin, although my boss did give me a career specialty challenge coin for a graduation gift. I’ve always though of those coins as a very neat idea and I can see several neat ways these could be used to encourage visitation of other Lodges and increase feelings of brotherly love among us outside of Lodge.

Comment by Joshua Armstrong — December 4, 2007 @ 1:42 pm
I misspelled civilian

Comment by Joshua Armstrong — December 4, 2007 @ 1:43 pm

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November 27, 2007

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