AA Coins: A Brief Introduction
AA is Alcoholics Anonymous, an international group of men and women who have had drinking problems. AA coins mark the anonymous membership of many people around the world. This coin or token is a very significant reminder to its recipient. The silver colored aluminum 24 hour token marks the first day of an alcoholic's journey to the new way of life. A life away from alcohol. Sometimes this silver token is carried for a lifetime, as an ever present reminder of the AA way of life.
1942 was the year when this coin of chip system is believed to have begun in Indianapolis by a certain person named Doherty S. He brought AA to this city and some documents have seemed to indicate that this chip or token system was practiced during those days.
After the coming out of the silver token or the 24 hour token, there have come out more tokens which marked monthly milestones in their recovery. And there was a pattern to this as follows. A while chip is given after one month of abstinence. After 2 months, a dark gold anodized aluminum medallion is given. 3 months is marked by emerald green AA Coins. After 4 months is a purple coin. From the 5th to the 11th months are pink, blue, copper, red, purple, bright gold chip and green chips, respectively. When an AA member reaches one year of continuous sobriety, the anniversary celebration is marked by the Bronze AA token. It is called heavy metal because of its weight and is very significant because the member has reached one year as an AA member. This special anniversary token is usually presented by a sponsor who also makes a short speech celebrating the recipient's success. A cake is also presented on that occasion. Significant sobriety anniversaries are often marked by the giving of Triplate AA Medallion, which is said to be the most fancy and expensive one.
The AA coins shows the length of time of sobriety which is stamped in the center of the coin. It shows the AA circle with a triangle motif. Stamped on it are the words, "To Thine Own Self Be True." It also shows the three pillars of service which are unity, recovery and service, and in the back of the coin is the Serenity Prayer. Watch a video about drug detoxification here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hFfAzLldwk.
Whatever color the AA coin or 24 Hour Chip takes, the most important thing is the significance that it carries to its recipient. For a former alcoholic, every sober day is a day farther from dying an alcoholic.
