Custom challenge coins are a great way to celebrate and commemorate accomplishments. They can be engraved with various symbols and designs representing an organization or a person.
The most popular design is a military unit symbol, but other methods may include an honorific prefix, a rank or position, and a date. Many people also have unique designs.
Business Challenge Coins
Business challenge coins are a great way to boost employee morale and company allegiance. They can be presented as a reward for accomplishments, such as meeting sales goals or finishing an engineering project. They can also be given away at events or to customers and clients to show appreciation.
The design of a business challenge coin is limited only by the imagination of its creator. While many companies keep their plans dignified and simple, others take a more creative approach. Tech companies, for example, can use their coins to showcase the products they develop and the services they offer. These coins often include a circuit board or cassette tape shape. Other companies can make a memorable challenge coin using pop culture references or jokes that resonate with their target audience.
Choosing the right plating color can create a striking challenge coin. Silver is popular as it looks good with cool enamel colors like blue and can complement gold or silver-toned artwork. The plating can also serve as a backdrop for a striking logo or slogan, catching the eye of anyone who sees it. For a standout coin, look for one with a bold, single color and a robust and striking design.
Military Coins
In the military, the purpose of challenge coins is a symbol of unity and camaraderie. They represent an individual’s membership in a unit or branch of service, and they commemorate special events. They are also a source of pride for those who wear them.
They have a long history of association with the military, but recently, they have become popular in other organizations, including law enforcement, fire departments, and school alum groups. Some corporations even use them to promote their brands and as a way to recognize employees for their accomplishments.
A challenge coin is a small medallion that bears an organization’s logo or emblem, usually round but can be any shape. It is carried by the organization’s members, who show it when challenged to prove their membership. The tradition of challenge coins began in the military, where they were awarded to pilots for identification. Other military branches later used them, and the concept’s popularity grew.
Many people assume that the military challenge coin was created to combat enemy soldiers who would try to buy drinks at a bar for non-military personnel, but this is not true. According to the Air Force Historical Research Agency archivist Barry Spink, challenge coins were introduced in World War I when Army foot soldiers at a base bar refused to serve alcohol to outsiders until they could produce their challenge coins.
Special Forces Coins
Besides symbolizing a unit’s pride and unity, these coins also show that their wearer is a member. Military members often carry these coins to prove their identity when challenged in bars or other places requiring identification. The tradition originated with the Special Forces, who created their unique coin, emphasizing their distinctiveness and a strong sense of belonging to a close-knit team. The design of a military challenge coin usually features the unit’s emblem and crest on one side, while the other side may have its motto or some other inspirational message. The currencies are engraved with the rank and name of a person in their unit; some even have serial numbers representing the entire production run.
There are several legends about the origin of these coins, but one of the most popular stories dates back to World War I. It tells the story of a wealthy lieutenant in the Army Air Service with bronze medallions made for his squadron, consisting of wealthy ivy league students. He hoped to help develop the team’s sense of pride and belonging by giving them their coin, which they would then display in bars to ensure they were indeed squadron members.
Today, these coins have been adopted by other branches of the armed forces and even first responders looking for a unique way to celebrate their teamwork. They are also given to those who have accomplished something remarkable, like rescuing someone from danger.
Law Enforcement Coins
Similar to the military challenge coins, law enforcement challenges coins honor officers and promote a sense of camaraderie within police departments. These unique medallions often feature the department’s emblem or badge and other symbols that reflect its values and mission. They also include a personal message like “Thank You for Your Service” or an important date.
In addition to the standard police officer badge design, many law enforcement challenge coins feature a city’s seal or other landmarks that are important to the community served by the department. These little touches help make each currency unique and set it apart from other police challenge coins. We’ve even seen a few police coins that use in-jokes, names, or plain memes that only officers within a specific station, unit, or task force would understand.
The custom design on this particular law enforcement coin highlights the sheriff’s office building in a 3D image, which adds dimension and texture to the currency. The contrasting colors and exceptional artwork further enhance the coin’s distinctive look.
