Right, boyos, here's what's what. The ancient Chinese zodiac may say it's the Year of the Ox, but as far as we Howlers are concerned, it's the gorydamn Year of the Wolf! Hic Est Lupus, Motherf@*ker!

Howler Mint presents the inaugural Howler Legion challenge coin, the HELM!

Kicking off a planned series of three, the Howler Legion HELM (Hic Est Lupus, Motherf@*ker) Coin continues a venerable military, and increasingly civilian, tradition dating back to World War I, and its presentation draws its inspiration from the even older Roman inscription of SPQR. Used by Screw in reference to the Reaper, the expletive-laced phrase could just as easily have referred to himself or any other Howler or Pup on Mercury or Luna or Mars. Likewise, the declaration is an equally emphatic statement for each and every ardent Howler in the fandom and a fitting standard for the fandom to rally around. The possession of a unit's coin marks you as part of the pack, part of the family. The concepts of unity and belonging are at the heart of what it means to be a Howler, so gear up and be counted among the Legion of Howlers!

Orders are open! Stocks are available for all orders. At "checkout," please change "Tips to Givebutter" to 0%, and should you be so inclined, please feel free to do the same with the processing fees. No-fee layaway option is available. Details below.

WHY Coins?
Red Rising has many themes and concepts, but the ones that stand out most for me are the following: honor, love, loyalty, family, unity, and the strength found in the combination of those. A challenge coin represents those I've found those same virtues among our fandom, and a challenge coin embodies those values. With that, I give you the HELM. Descending from the rich heritage of challenge coins, the HELM is meant to be a coin common to Howlers across the world, regardless of age or race or nationality or creed. Gear up with your brother and sister Howler Legionnaires and declare to the world, "Hic Est Lupus, Motherf@*ker!" More info on challenge coins, in general, can be found later in this "story."

HOW does the HELM coin become even more meaningful and symbolic? It starts with YOU! The more of us Howlers who bear the coin, the bigger the pack. While the coin already embodies a rich tradition and richer Red Rising symbolism, the coin becomes even more meaningful with each new brother and sister legionnaire who bears it. If you have a Howler name already, then make your mark and spread the word! If you don't have one yet, where have you been?!

WHAT's in this thing?

Tradition: The Red Rising series draws much from the Roman world and so does the HELM coin. One face of the Roman coin bore the likeness of great people or great deeds, later becoming that of the Caesar. Who among us is more deserving to grace the coin of Howler Legion than the princeps himself, *HowlerPod intro style* Howler. Number. One. Pierce. Brown?

Love: This coin establishes Howler Legion as the 19th Legion - Freedmen, or Legio XIX Liberti, in reference to Juneteenth, which marks the occasion of breaking the chains of the last U.S. slaves, an occasion to remember love and respect for all. The "XIX" motif is sprinkled throughout. Hail Libertas! Break the chains!

Strength: First, the prominent spine symbolizes that we, the legion of Howlers, are the backbone of the current fandom (and hopefully of a much larger fandom when the show comes out) just as the Howlers are the spine of the Reaper's fight within a much larger Rising. Second, the bundle of bound rods, the fasces, is a Roman symbol of power, honor, and authority, permitted only to high officials of the Roman Republic. Remember the reaction Ephraim noted when Holiday walked into their bar? That's what the fasces represents. Third, the Roman legions brought their cultures across their known world in the name of SPQR (Senate and People of Rome). It's their way of shouting "HIC EST LUPUS, MOTHERF@*KER!" So we of Howler Legion shall be the foundational bedrock to bring others into the fandom.

Unity and Family: What's a Howler if they are not haunted (or enticed?) by the showing of a little unicorn horn and the sight of a pit viper? Both are lovingly included and blended into the imperial Classical motif.

WHAT You Get

- 3 Bundles to choose from for US Howlers, all with free shipping (1 for international Howlers, shipping built in)

-- Howler Pack: 1x 2-inch HELM Coin ($25)

-- Gory Prime Pack: 1x HELM Coin, 1x 4-inch car/fridge/office magnet, 2x 2-inch stickers ($35)

-- Primus Pack: Gory Prime Pack + 1x 1.25-inch soft enamel pin ($45)

-- International Howler Pack: Primus Pack, includes shipping ($55 USD)

Display HELM on your mantle, adorn your bookshelf, or carry it in your wallet or purse as a Legionnaire would. Put the pin on your bag, the magnet on your car, the stickers on your phone/laptop. Show off your Howler Pride. Gear up, Howler!

******************* Bonus History and Information on Challenge Coins*******************

The most widely circulated origin dates back to World War I, when a wealthy officer had gold-plated bronze medallions struck with the flying squadron’s insignia to give to his men as a mark of their shared experiences thus far and brotherhood going forward. The pilots treasured the medallion and always kept it close at hand.

Shortly after, one of the young flying aces was shot down over Germany and captured. The Germans took everything on his person except the small leather pouch he wore around his neck, which contained his medallion.

As luck would have it, when the Germans stopped in a village overnight while transporting the pilot to the POW camp, the British mounted an unrelated raid on the village. During the general chaos, the pilot managed to escape captivity. Wearing civilian clothing, the soldier raced towards safety.

Once he reached allied French lines, he soon realized the danger was not over. Warned of saboteurs dressed as local citizens, the French soldiers demanded proof of identity.

With all his official information in enemy hands, he had no way to prove his identity and faced probable execution.

No way, that is, except for the coin he carried with him. In his greatest stroke of luck, a French soldier recognized the unit insignia on the medallion, keeping him alive long enough for inquiries to confirm his identity. The pilot not only went back to his unit with his life but also a nice bottle of wine.

From there, the unit coin became increasingly more common. In the past several decades, coins have been purchased as part of arrival at a unit, awarded for excellence, given as gifts, traded as mementos, and just plain used as a business card and collectible items. A military member accumulates a modest collection of such coins through various means over the course of one's career, and the collection is often prominently displayed within their office.

Tracy English, a historian at the Air Force’s 37th Training Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas, said, “If you walk into a high-ranking service member’s office with a big magnet, chances are you will die.”

Today, it’s not uncommon for police and fire departments to have coins, as do many civic organizations, such as the Lions Club and the Boy Scouts. Even the Star Wars cosplayers of the 501st Legion, Harley Davidson riders, and Linux users have their own coins. Challenge coins have become a long-lasting, highly-collectible way to show your allegiance anytime, anyplace.

The Challenge

So you might be wondering how exactly the word "Challenge" fits into this whole picture. The origin story and the symbolism the coin takes on in the years following making it a quintessential item to have on your person when going out. A unit member ought to have the unit gear, so too, a Legionnaire should have his or her coin. I learned my lesson as a freshman in Air Force ROTC when our commander initiated a coin check/challenge during an informal official event. He dropped his coin onto the floor of the aircraft hanger we were in, and the clanging of it reverberated off the walls, rising above the din. For the benefit of the uninitiated, he announced that this was a coin check. Most upperclassmen reached for their pockets and produced their own coins. We freshmen and a few hapless sophomores were sent to the grog as "punishment." The grog was a ceremonial toilet that held an unappetizing mixture of various things people brought to put into it (there would be copious amounts of alcohol had we been of age), and we each got a cup and had to empty it before turning it over above our heads to signify we had done so. I've carried a coin in my wallet everyday since.

Coin checks can be done in settings of large or small groups, involving the bar or just your table. The challenge is typically initiated by slapping or rapping one's coin on the bar or table, or you can do what my commander did. If you accidentally drop your coin while showing it off and the bar goes quiet, you just issue

d a coin check. At this point, the standard rule is others have a step and a reach to produce their coin. Having it out in the car in the parking lot does not count. Rules I've seen used are those unable to produce a coin either each bought a round for those who did or the group of coinless sods split the cost of one round for coin bearers.

All that said, that's not at the heart of why this coin exists.

I've gone on long enough on the meaning behind this coin, so I won't go on any longer. However, I do so hope that the Legion will be fully manned in time, so for all of you who've read this far, if you see me out and about at a beverage establishment (say, at a HowlerFest), come say hello. I'll always buy a drink for the first seven Legionnaires who show me their Howler Legion coin. Hail Reaper!

Admin Notes: Your transaction amount will cover the following: design costs, production costs, shipping costs, and preferential Coin #2 admin. The remainder of you contribution constitutes a gratuitous and disinterested gift made out of admiration and/or respect to the establishment of Howler Legion. Thank you.

Howler Legion HELM Challenge Coin

By Kelvin Puk

Howler Legion HELM Challenge Coin

One Pack. One Family. One Legion.