Challenge coin
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
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Exchange officers and British military visitors to US units and formations in recent decades have often been presented with challenge coins. The British Army has had challenge coins for recruiting purposes since the mid\-2000s \- for example the [Special Air Service](/wiki/Special_Air_Service "Special Air Service") and [Royal Engineer](/wiki/Royal_Engineer "Royal Engineer") units have such challenge coins. British military medical units also discovered the tradition while working with American units in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Department of Military Anesthesia and Critical Care has been issuing a coin since 2006\.

Tradition dictates that challenge coins are shown within social environments (see above) with the loser of the "coin check" purchasing drinks for those others involved. Following a turbulent period of change within the British Military, commanders have tightened restrictions on the consumption of alcohol and any activity that encourages drinking, leaving the traditional challenge coin as a collection item. 


Can challenge coins be used as a recruitment tool in other countries?