Front: “Don't Let the Bastards Grind You Down · Never Give Up”
Back: “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.”
At a glance
- Theme: defiant grit with a grin
- Good for: exam retakes, job hunts, boot camp, people who refuse to be pushed around
- Gift for: someone joining the military, a stubborn friend, anyone who laughs at setbacks
- Finishes: Antique Silver (brass alloy), Antique Bronze (brass alloy), Antique Copper (solid copper)
- Size: 39 mm, about 1 oz, die struck in the USA
The meaning
Don't let the bastards grind you down is the English version of the mock Latin illegitimi non carborundum, a joke from the British Army during the Second World War that General Joseph Stilwell later made his motto. It is rude on purpose, and that is the point: some days you need a reminder with a bit of attitude.
The back is the calmer half, a Japanese proverb: fall down seven times, stand up eight. It doesn't matter how often you go down. It matters that you get up one more time.
The design
On the front, a clenched fist punches through a cracked wall. The back keeps it simple: the proverb in bold letters, framed by a ring of stars.
On good days and hard days
- On good days, it keeps your fighting spirit sharp and reminds you how far stubbornness has already taken you.
- On hard days, when people or circumstances are grinding you down, it gives you the line to hold: don't let them. Fall down seven times, stand up eight.
Carry it
Keep it for the days when people or circumstances are wearing you down. One customer calls it lucky: every time they think it is lost, it turns up again.
Give it
It is a popular gift for someone heading into boot camp. One customer gave it to a young man joining the Marines, explained the history of the phrase, and wrote that he loved it. Others give it to close friends who never quit.
Specs
- Diameter: 1.54 in (39 mm), about the size of a silver dollar
- Thickness: 2.7 mm
- Weight: about 1 oz (28 g)
- Material: brass alloy (Antique Silver, Antique Bronze) or solid copper (Antique Copper)
- Made: die struck, minted in the USA
- Each coin is antiqued with a special patina so it looks like it has already been in circulation. The patina never settles the same way twice, so no two coins look exactly alike. Small variations in color and shading are normal, and they are what make your coin one of a kind.
Questions
What does “don't let the bastards grind you down” mean?
Don't let difficult people or circumstances wear you down. It translates the mock Latin phrase illegitimi non carborundum.
Where does “fall down seven times, stand up eight” come from?
It is a Japanese proverb, nana korobi ya oki, about resilience.
Is this a good gift for someone joining the military?
Yes, it is one of our most popular coins for recruits and service members.
Other coins about resilience
- Tenacity Coin: losing is not quitting
- Keep Going Coin: for the middle of the worst week
- Endurance Coin: for long, quiet strength
- Phoenix Coin: starting over after something ended
- Per Aspera Ad Astra Coin: the long climb to a big dream
The same proverb also appears on the Samurai Spirit Coin, made for martial artists. For keys: Never Give Up Key Tag.
Care: keep it dry and wipe it with a soft cloth. No polishing needed; the aged finish is part of the look.
Original design by EDC Reminder Coins, protected by copyright. We don't take custom orders.