Challenge Coins

**Jock Scot** · 30th October 14, 01:14 PM

Not quite kilt advice needed, but close!

Mrs Jock and I were presented with a Challenge Coin a couple of months ago, as a thank you for some small service, from some Top Brass of Clan MacLeod of USA. A beautiful thing about the size of a silver Dollar. Apparently I must carry it at all times whilst kilted in the USA, or it could get expensive? Yes, we may venture across one day.

This is where you chaps come in, as Challenge coins are not a British custom, just what is the Custom/form with these coins. I would hate to cause upset as great store was given to the coin and we are rather proud of it and the "expensive" bit is a tad worrying!

Any and all advice will be greatfully received.

The flip side.

**1oldsarge** · 30th October 14, 01:27 PM

Private E-mail sent......

**Jock Scot** · 30th October 14, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by 1oldsarge

Private E-mail sent......

Thank you so much.

**Mel1721L** · 30th October 14, 02:54 PM

I have a British Army challange coin.

**MacEanruig** · 30th October 14, 03:22 PM

Jock, hopefully 1oldsarge set you straight on challenge coins. I have plenty coins from my military days; however, I did not expect them to be a clan thing. How many clans do this?

**cookingkilted** · 30th October 14, 03:31 PM

This is a first I am hearing it being a clan thing. I carry a couple of my military coins, mainly my Airman's coin. And if it get expensive the way the military ones can get expensive you better carry it lol.

**unixken** · 30th October 14, 03:52 PM

I have a collection of 60 Challenge Coins (all but a few are Coast Guard related) in a display case on the wall behind me. Although yours is the first I've seen that is clan oriented, I know that as tokens of appreciation, as a show of support, as a simple souvenir, or for other reasons of celebration to honor some individual, group, or event, Challenge Coins *are* beginning to be associated with any number of things. However, I doubt many in the general public (outside of the military), if handed such a coin, would know the back story of the challenge coin, or how "the challenge" works. They'd likely think it was just some round metal souvenir.

However, with that being said, if someone ever challenges whether you are affiliated with the MacLeods of Lewis, you can now slap your coin onto the bar and say "Why yes, I'd love a dram, thanks!"

**Tarheel** · 30th October 14, 04:06 PM

I see that 1oldsarge has emailed you and the thanks is affirmed. Consider a small pouch (cloth or leather) to carry your coin in and transfer it to every sporran you wear, ALWAYS. The coin represents honor and respect when passed on. You've undoubtedly earned it.

**Grunthos** · 30th October 14, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by 1oldsarge

Private E-mail sent......

Umm, OK, but..... can anyone fill the rest of us in on what a challenge coin IS? Thanks!

**MacKenzie** · 30th October 14, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by Grunthos

Umm, OK, but..... can anyone fill the rest of us in on what a challenge coin IS? Thanks!

If "some Top Brass of Clan MacLeod of USA" runs into Jock in a pub (for example) and presents his challenge coin, typically by slapping it on the bar/table, and Jock cannot produce his coin then Jock owes the "challenger", and anyone else that produces their coin at the challenge, a round. If Jock can produce his coin then the challenger buys the round.

As aforementioned, here in the US it's typically been a military custom/tradition. Once you have earned the coin you carry it with you always.

To Jock and the Mrs.: Proud you should be. T'is an honor.