In the pocket of every member of the Airborne Regiment, if you are lucky enough to be allowed to see it, you will find his most prized possession, his coin. The Airborne coin is not something that is easily obtained, it must be earned.

An Airborne soldier must carry his coin with him at all times. At any time, another soldier can “coin” you by producing their coin. If you can’t produce your coin, you must buy a round of drinks for every soldier who produces a coin in response to the challenge. If however, everyone produces a coin, it falls on the challenger to buy the round.

Airborne soldiers can be coined in the most unlikely places like the shower, during “check- your-equipment,” while walking down the aisle after being married or even after being pulled over by a cop who noticed the Airborne bumper sticker on your car!

Regimental Standing Orders spell out the issue and allotment of the coins;

GENERAL: “The Paratrooper Coin” - it shall be customary for serving and former members of The Canadian Airborne Regiment and its Battle Group to have this coin always on their person. Failure to produce the Paratrooper Coin when challenged by a possessor of the coin shall entail a forfeit, normally a round of drinks.

DESCRIPTION: The coin is similar in size, weight and appearance to a silver dollar. The obverse side bears the Regimental crest, the reverse side the collar badge and a riband bearing the recipient’s name.

ENGRAVING: On the riband is engraved the last three digits of the SIN, surname and initials. Cost of the engraving is to be borne by the holder.

SUPPLY: The Paratrooper Coins are serialized and controlled by the Regimental Secretariat. New arrivals to the Regiment will be presented with the coin on successful completion of the Airborne Indoctrination Course or after serving on posting with the Regiment or Battle Group for one year. Past members of the Regiment or Battle Group may apply to purchase the coin from the Regimental Kit Shop with a remittance of $5.00.

REPLACEMENTS: Though it is not considered likely that an Airborne soldier could lose his coin, if this situation occurs he may purchase a replacement coin. The replacement coin will carry the same number as the original with the addition of an “R”. Replacement coins may be acquired from the Kit Shop at a cost of $25.00.

Lost and Found Coins

Now that the Regiment has been disbanded, the responsibility for replacing lost coins and for re-uniting found coins with their owners has fallen on the Airborne Kitshop.

Any member who has served with an Airborne unit from 1942 onwards can request a new or replacement coin from the Airborne Kitshop.

If you have found a coin, please contact the Kitshop so that it can be returned to its owner.