History of challenge coins
These have been a tradition in the U.S. Military for over a century. Origin stories range from a form of identification for allied forces behind enemy lines during the First World War, to a way to get ‘outsiders’ to buy drinks for infantrymen who had taken their coins into combat. The tradition has evolved to reward hard work and excellence, boost camaraderie and morale, and instill pride in service members. Today, challenge coins have been adopted within the whole military – entire units and offices of leadership have their own coins. Coins are minted for special events, anniversaries, and even non-military leaders. Many service members and veterans proudly display their collection of challenge coins, showing off the missions they’ve been on, the top leaders they’ve met, and the units they’ve served with.
Challenge coins have also been widely adopted outside the military. They are popular within police departments, fire departments, and fraternal organizations; many non-profits, especially those with connections to the military, give challenge coins to donors as an acknowledgment of support. NASCAR, the NFL, cadets of the Civil Air Patrol, Eagle Scouts, and the World Series of Poker all have their own challenge coins. Today, challenge coins are often given to members of an organization upon joining, as an award to improve morale, or sold to commemorate special occasions or as fundraisers. Recently, this has grown to include musicians and performing ensembles such as symphony orchestras and now brass bands. Five Lakes Silver Band has chosen to adopt a similar practice calling them Champion Coins.
Challenge coins have also been widely adopted outside the military. They are popular within police departments, fire departments, and fraternal organizations; many non-profits, especially those with connections to the military, give challenge coins to donors as an acknowledgment of support. NASCAR, the NFL, cadets of the Civil Air Patrol, Eagle Scouts, and the World Series of Poker all have their own challenge coins. Today, challenge coins are often given to members of an organization upon joining, as an award to improve morale, or sold to commemorate special occasions or as fundraisers. Recently, this has grown to include musicians and performing ensembles such as symphony orchestras and now brass bands. Five Lakes Silver Band has chosen to adopt a similar practice calling them Champion Coins.
Building on the rich traditions of challenge coins, our Champion coins commemorate the band’s most memorable achievements. The first two FLSB Champion Coins are in celebration of being named Champions of the 2022 U.S. Open Brass Band Championships and our back-to-back titles as 2022 and 2023 Dublin Festival of Brass Grand Champions. Each member of the winning performance received a coin to commemorate their performance.
These accomplishments would not have been possible without the loyalty and dedicated support of a vital part of the Five Lakes Silver Band family and the true champions of our band: our audience.
We are offering FLSB patrons the opportunity to share in celebrating our accomplishments and to put their loyalty and dedication on display by purchasing a Champion Coin exclusively at our live performances. Coins will only be sold at our live concerts and are limited in quantity. All proceeds from the sale of these coins will go towards the costs associated with our competitions (contest fees, music purchases, travel expenses, etc). Champion Coin holders can expect to be a part of exclusive perks such as discounts on merchandise, special raffles, giveaways, games, and other activities when they attend future concerts. After a patron becomes a Champion Coin holder, they will want to bring their coin to every future FLSB performance to take advantage of all their exclusive coin perks.
As the Five Lakes Silver Band continues to expand its growing list of awards and achievements, so will our collection of circulating Champion Coins. Our loyal patrons can continue supporting us in achieving our next goal by adding to their personal Five Lakes Silver Band Champion Coin collection.
These accomplishments would not have been possible without the loyalty and dedicated support of a vital part of the Five Lakes Silver Band family and the true champions of our band: our audience.
We are offering FLSB patrons the opportunity to share in celebrating our accomplishments and to put their loyalty and dedication on display by purchasing a Champion Coin exclusively at our live performances. Coins will only be sold at our live concerts and are limited in quantity. All proceeds from the sale of these coins will go towards the costs associated with our competitions (contest fees, music purchases, travel expenses, etc). Champion Coin holders can expect to be a part of exclusive perks such as discounts on merchandise, special raffles, giveaways, games, and other activities when they attend future concerts. After a patron becomes a Champion Coin holder, they will want to bring their coin to every future FLSB performance to take advantage of all their exclusive coin perks.
As the Five Lakes Silver Band continues to expand its growing list of awards and achievements, so will our collection of circulating Champion Coins. Our loyal patrons can continue supporting us in achieving our next goal by adding to their personal Five Lakes Silver Band Champion Coin collection.