The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame has started to produce Challenge Coins to honor its inductees and hopefully tie together the bass fishing world in a small way.

To understand why these metal coins are being utilized, it’s best to give a little history of the Challenge Coin in history.

The earliest of these coins dates back to ancient Rome. When soldiers excelled in battle
they were awarded along with their daily wages a bonus coin, often minted with the legion in which they served. Many are associated with the 10th Legion, a hand-picked group of warriors who fought directly under Caesar. In
Biblical times, the 10th Legion is the one that saved Paul from execution in the Book of Acts.

But the Challenge Coin came to signify much more in American History. As the story goes in World War I, a rich Air Force lieutenant created bronze medallions with the
flying squadron's insignia and gave them to his men.

Shortly after, one of those pilots was shot down over Germany and captured. To discourage his escape the Germans took everything the pilot had including his uniform, but failed to find a small pouch hanging around his neck with the coin inside.

During a bombardment that night the pilot managed to escape, find civilian clothes and make his way toward France.

Eventually, he stumbled into a French outpost. Unfortunately, saboteurs dressed as civilians had been harassing the French in the area and the French manning the outpost did not recognize his American accent. Thinking him to be a saboteur, they detained him with the intent of executing him as a saboteur.
Lacking identification, the young pilot remembered his medallion. One of the French captors recognized the squadron insignia on the medallion, which bought him enough time for the French to confirm his identity. Instead of an execution, he was given a bottle of wine. The coin had saved his life.

Upon return to his squadron, it became tradition to ensure that all members carried their medallion or coin at all times. Carrying those medallions became important among all pilots. This also started the joke punishment of having to buy the next round if you were not carrying your coin.

That tradition carried over into World War II, the Korean War and became a mainstay in the Vietnam War.

Today Challenge Coins, essentially small tokens or medallions, signify that people are members of certain organizations, have served their organizations well and deemed honorable enough to receive one.

Law enforcement agencies all over the country have these coins for that reason. President Bill Clinton started that tradition for Presidents. When you see a President shaking the hand of the military today, it is generally understood and even expected that within that handshake he is giving the soldier one of his personalized coins.

All of that is a pretty fancy way for the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame to recognize that fishing fans, industry leaders and professional anglers are part of a unique band of brothers and sisters spread across the country. Deeming it honorable to be a part of that group, these coins have been produced as a small token to share our fishing history together.

Each of these coins have the logo of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame on one side. On the other side is a list of that year’s inductees. The 2020 class of Hall of Famers are listed on the first coin, but in coming years all the classes will eventually be highlighted.

Challenge Coin Rules

A “Coin Check” consists of a Challenge and a Response.

The challenge is initiated by drawing your coin, holding it in the air by whatever means possible and state, scream, shout or otherwise verbally acknowledge that you are initiating a coin check. Another, but less vocal method is to firmly place it on the bar, table, or floor (this should produce an audible noise which can be easily heard by those being challenged, but try not to leave a permanent imprint.) If you accidentally drop your coin and it makes an audible sound upon impact, then you have just “accidentally” initiated a coin check. (This is called paying the price for improper care of your coin.)

• The response consists of all those persons being challenged drawing their coin in a like manner.

• If you are challenged and are unable to properly respond, you must buy a round of drinks for the challenger and the group being challenged.

• If everyone being challenged responds in the correct manner, the challenger must buy a round of drinks for all those people they challenged.

• Failure to buy a round of drinks is a despicable crime and will require that you turn-in your coin to the issuing agency.

When-Where

• Coin checks are permitted, ANY TIME, ANY PLACE.

Exceptions

• There are no exceptions to the rules. They apply to those clothed or unclothed. At the time of the challenge, you are permitted one step and an arm’s reach to locate your coin. If you still cannot reach it — SORRY ABOUT THAT!