*New* Veteran 'Challenge' Coin for H4H

[Gundulph]

We have produced a UK Armed Forces Veteran "Challenge" Coin (you can see the History and info including the Rules of the Challenge etc. at UKChallengeCoins ).

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The UK Armed Forces Veterans Coin will provide much needed funding for a little known organisation called Holidays 4 Heroes, a Donation is made direct to the Charity for Every Coin sold, including around 30 coins auctioned and over 500 sold, the ARRSE "Challenge" Coin has made several thousand pounds for Holidays 4 Heroes so far and has proven immensely popular.

The intention is the Scroll will allow anyone to engrave whatever they want on their coin i.e. Service Number, Name, Units served or a personal message etc.

After weighing up several image options to represent the RAF, the Tornado GR4 at that angle looked the Dogs Machenders DT_Xtremez_14:...

*Breaking News - The Coins have all been produced and are available to purchase and send out immediately*​

 

[techie_tubby]

looks like a good idea. Great idea for leaving presents. Might need to pass this up the chain of command.

 

[Gundulph]

looks like a good idea. Great idea for leaving presents. Might need to pass this up the chain of command.

Thanks t_t,

I think the ARRSE Challenge Coin has raised over 3000 Pounds so far (possibly even over 4!) for Hols 4 Heroes, I would need to check on it...

Is the image recognisable enough as a GR4? I looked at over 40 images of a GR4 before finding that angle, which looks good.

 

[Weebl]

Is the image recognisable enough as a GR4? I looked at over 40 images of a GR4 before finding that angle, which looks good.

Yes mate, it is clear it is a mud moving Tornado. Mind you, I have worked on them so that might not be objective?

 

[Gundulph]

Yes mate, it is clear it is a mud moving Tornado. Mind you, I have worked on them so that might not be objective?

We tried a Sea King at first but it just didn't look as good as the Tornado... DT_Xtremez_42:

 

[Realist78]

We tried a Sea King at first but it just didn't look as good as the Tornado... DT_Xtremez_42:

Of course it doesn't look as good (says he having just left them after 27 years!). DT_Xtremez_19: The coin is a great idea, I hope it takes off and raises the loot. I'm surprised we haven't had them for years, you'll always see the yanks with them.
Would it be an idea to have 2 coins, one with Veteran on and one without?

 

[Gundulph]

Of course it doesn't look as good (says he having just left them after 27 years!). DT_Xtremez_19: The coin is a great idea, I hope it takes off and raises the loot. I'm surprised we haven't had them for years, you'll always see the yanks with them.
Would it be an idea to have 2 coins, one with Veteran on and one without?

We thought about it but for anyone who has served in any of the three services they are officially regarded as a UK Armed Forces Veteran, I suppose for Operational Tours/War Zones the term 'War Veteran' could have been used but I think the details would get complicated...

 

[Pikeman]

It is a greta idea, personally I think that the images at the top (Tonka is fine) the boat seems to be very close to the lettering.

 

[techie_tubby]

The Tonka is good as a generic design but different units could ask for a specific design if they wanted. i.e JHF could have a GR9, TCW could have a 501 etc etc

 

[Pikeman]

The Tonka is good as a generic design but different units could ask for a specific design if they wanted. i.e JHF could have a GR9, TCW could have a 501 etc etc

Stackers could have a sign saying closed DT_Xtremez_06:
Sorry, couldn't resistOff Topic

 

[Realist78]

We thought about it but for anyone who has served in any of the three services they are officially regarded as a UK Armed Forces Veteran, I suppose for Operational Tours/War Zones the term 'War Veteran' could have been used but I think the details would get complicated...

My point was about them being also for serving personnel as well as veterans.DT_Xtremez_19:

 

[SirSaltyHelmet]

Tubby be serious the different combinations would be massive! The thing needs to be minted.

 

[Gundulph]

All good points, I think even serving you are still classed as a Veteran of whatever Ops etc. you have been on, and of course you will one day be a civilian DT_Xtremez_40:...

Many Thanks for all the Poll Votes, it is definitely painting a very Clear picture as in most are in favour of the Scroll at the Bottom...

 

[Realist78]

Tubby be serious the different combinations would be massive! The thing needs to be minted.

Maybe for us, the yanks manage it down to individual squadrons and teams.DT_Xtremez_19:

 

[Gundulph]

Maybe for us, the yanks manage it down to individual squadrons and teams.DT_Xtremez_19:

They certainly do! they've been doing this for a long time though! but the favourite story goes back to WWI about an Air Force Pilot being shot down, we are planning on doing challenge coins for all U.K. Units eventually and we want to be able to keep Holidays 4 Heroes funded constantly, they are a bit overshadowed by help 4 Heroes at the moment and are hoping to gain more help in the future, this is one way of others helping them...

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The History of the Challenge Coin[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
During World War I, American volunteers from all parts of the country filled the newly formed flying squadrons in Europe, the beginnings of the modern day Royal Air Force. Some were wealthy scions attending colleges such as Yale and Harvard who quit in mid-term to join the war. In one squadron, a wealthy lieutenant ordered medallions struck in solid bronze and presented them to his unit. One young pilot placed the medallion in a small leather pouch that he wore about his neck.
Shortly after acquiring the medallions, the pilot's aircraft was severely damaged by ground fire. He was forced to land behind enemy lines and was immediately captured by a German patrol.

In order to discourage his escape, the Germans took all of his personal identification except for the small leather pouch around his neck. In the meantime, he was taken to a small French town near the front. Taking advantage of a bombardment that night, he escaped. However, he was without personal identification.

He succeeded in avoiding German patrols by donning civilian attire and reached the front lines. With great difficulty, he crossed no-man's land. Eventually, he stumbled onto a French outpost. Unfortunately, saboteurs had plagued the French in the sector. They sometimes masqueraded as civilians and wore civilian clothes. Not recognizing the young pilot's American accent, the French thought him to be a saboteur and made ready to execute him. He had no identification to prove his allegiance, but he did have his leather pouch containing the medallion. He showed the medallion to his would-be executioners and one of his French captors recognized the squadron insignia on the medallion. They delayed his execution long enough for him to confirm his identity. Instead of shooting him they gave him a bottle of wine.

Back at his squadron, it became tradition to ensure that all members carried their medallion or coin at all times. This was accomplished through challenge in the following manner - a challenger would ask to see the medallion. If the challenged could not produce a medallion, they were required to buy a drink of choice for the member who challenged them. If the challenged member produced a medallion, then the challenging member was required to pay for the drink. This tradition continued on throughout the war and for many years after the war while surviving members of the squadron were still alive. [/FONT]

 

[MingMong]

I remember being on det with the Americans at various locations, particularly at Incirlik and this type of coin (often refered to by the Americans as a 'tapping' coin) were often handed to people as a sign of gratitude for helping to get things done. I really like the idea of a veterans coin, however, additionally maybe something a little more generic for the British forces in general could be used by many as a small memento to give to foreign visitors or colleagues. I could see potential in them being given to people who have done the likes of Longlook when they return home. This I think could help to maintain a steady demand for the coins without having to generate dozens of different dies for small runs of coins.

Just the thoughts of a soon to be veteran

 

[spike7451]

Cheers Gundy mate.I have an ARRSE coin mesel & they are a brill idea although I'd have liked a hole, or a space for one, at the top so I could put it on my keyring.
I was thinking of maybe a Chinook would be appropriate as well considering the vital,valuable & understated contribution they make in getting our wounded into care.
Spike

 

[Gundulph]

Cheers Gundy mate.I have an ARRSE coin mesel & they are a brill idea although I'd have liked a hole, or a space for one, at the top so I could put it on my keyring.
I was thinking of maybe a Chinook would be appropriate as well considering the vital,valuable & understated contribution they make in getting our wounded into care.
Spike

We'll be doing all Coins in future months Spike... maybe I should add the Challenge Rules (or Coin Check Rules) here... it's all about the beer DT_Xtremez_14:DT_Xtremez_35:DT_Xtremez_42:

 

[rest have risen above me]

I remember being on det with the Americans at various locations, particularly at Incirlik and this type of coin (often refered to by the Americans as a 'tapping' coin) were often handed to people as a sign of gratitude for helping to get things done. I really like the idea of a veterans coin, however, additionally maybe something a little more generic for the British forces in general could be used by many as a small memento to give to foreign visitors or colleagues. I could see potential in them being given to people who have done the likes of Longlook when they return home. This I think could help to maintain a steady demand for the coins without having to generate dozens of different dies for small runs of coins.

Just the thoughts of a soon to be veteran

I've 2 or 3 of these from Incirlik I think the thing there was that johnny foreigner made them cheap. We even did a 14 Sqn one.

 

[Gundulph]

Here is the final amended version, just really the helmet of the kneeling Soldier. So looks like the majority are in favour of the Scroll at the Bottom.

Many thanks to all as that is a massive help! the results are looking the same with the Army also...

Cheers everyone DT_Xtremez_14: