CHALLENGE
COIN HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The China
Post #1 Doubloon/Interim Challenge Coin. On 20 April 1995, the Post
celebrated its 75th year as an .American Legion Post. Also, New Orleans, Louisiana
(the state one of our namesakes, Gen Claire Chennault,
called home) was chosen for our 75th birthday party/annual reunion in honor of
these events, we have had a special coin struck. On the front of our unique
doubloon/ challenge coin is the inscription "Generals Ward & Chennault & LT Helseth - China
Post 1 Worldwide - Operating in Exile". In the center is our Post dragon. The coin's
reverse side is inscribed with the "China Post 1" name. In the center
is the 75th anniversary diamond, flanked by the years "1920-1995".
Below this are the words, "when duty calls we answer".
Following is a brief history of the Mardi Gras
doubloon and the challenge coin. Both have been carried by elite groups over
the years--it is only fitting that China Post 1 has its own coin to commemorate
its 75th birthday.
History of the challenge coin: Elite military units
have a long history of carrying some type of device to identify past and
present members. The U.S. Special Forces are credited with the tradition of
identifying unit members with a coin. The coins are designed with mottos of the
particular units they represent. The 10th Special Forces group established the
tradition of the group coin in 1969, group commander Vernon E Green designed
and had the 10th Group coin manufactured. On the front side is the inscription:
"10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) 1st Special Forces". In the
center is the Trojan horse crest, the original SF crest worn during the 1950's,
and below are the words "trojan
horse". The reverse side is inscribed with the special
forces motto: "de oppresso liber" and "the best". A beret with flash is
centered over a scroll for engraving the owner's name or job specialty.
Once the 10th Group coin was minted, the tradition began
calling for each group member to procure and carry a coin at all times. The
actual history of the coin check--the challenge
initiated by one SF to another demanding to see his group coin--varies greatly.
The coin check was done primarily as a morale check to verify each unit
member's team spirit/pride. Regardless of any established "coin
check" regulations, most SF's prefer to carry their coins at all
times--not only to show pride but also to save money on drinks they may have to
buy if caught without it!
History of the Mardi Gras
doubloon: starting
after Christmas and continuing until lent, the carnival season in New Orleans
begins. It is a time of masked balls, parties, and street parades with marching
bands and decorated floats manned by masked krewe
(club) members. The krewes may change themes each
year but one thing remains the same-- those on the floats will toss
"throws" to those along their route who are shouting, "throw me
something mister." the throws can be plastic cups, beads, or the popular
and famous "doubloon."
For those who have never been to Mardi Gras,
the doubloon is a lightweight coin which carries The insignia of a particular krewe. The first Mardi Gras
medallion/doubloon was introduced by King Rex (the traditional king of
carnival) at the New Orleans world's fair in 1884 and it displayed the rex coat
of arms. However, it did not become a "throw" until many years later.
In early parades, it is said that flour was thrown and later, dust. Then
rowdies began throwing unsuitable items which injured people which resulted in
the outlawing of throws for a long period. Still, the idea persisted .and
slowly regained popularity. In 1960, the now famous doubloon or lightweight
version of the original coin was re-introduced and thrown by the rex krewes. It took the crowd by storm and in following years
many would shout, ’’throw me a doubloon mister," thus making it a parade
tradition.
The idea for the rex doubloon came from Alvin Sharpe, a
retired ship's captain, who wrote to that krewe in
1959 saying he had designed some beautiful coins as a memento of Mardi Gras and
adding, "they are harmless to throw." a rex captain approved the idea
when Sharpe showed his design and how it could be thrown without injury. 83,000
doubloons were made up and thrown at the 1960 parade. In a short time almost
every krewe had created its own version. Eventually
the word doubloon became a generic term meaning any and all carnival medallions
and it remains one of the most. Popular mementoes of the Mardi Gras season.
UPDATE: Some Memorial Divisions have their own locally
made coins which are also used to display pride in their organization. Often
the different Divisions try to make the best coins of the Post. Normally the Asian post
have the advantage since so many coins are made in the Asian countries
and shipped to US based military units.
Sent to webmaster by JC Bond,
past Post Commander.