When the El Paso, Texas Fire Department needed a new coin to present to it’s training graduates, they commissioned Challenge Coins Limited to come up with a unique design that portrayed not only their recognizable logo, but also their core values. The El Paso logo is quite intricate, which created a “challenge” for the design department as far as fitting each element on a coin.

Gold plated custom challenge coins for El Paso, Texas Fire Department. Click the coin image above for detailed view.

When a challenge coin is deigned, the actual specifications of manufacturing capability must be adhered to. What does this really mean? Well, you can’t simply slap a logo on an artwork file for production and just hope it turns out well. Metal line thicknesses are critical when it comes to a finished coin looking good. A quick glance at the El Paso example to the left reveals very small details within the reverse side. Knowing the manufacturing limits is critical for such detail to turn out well.

On the other hand, there is quite a bit of small text in the lower “International Accredited Agency” seal near the bottom. This small wording is actually beyond the minimum requirements for line thickness. The solution: silk screening. Silk screening very small text is noting new and quite common, especially in lapel pin manufacturing. This technique applies the desired color to the surface metal of the coin. Before you ask, we’ll let you know that silk screened text, or imagery, is very durable – it does not scratch off.

To make this challenge coin even more distinctive, we created a custom edge just for this coin. The edge is actually an adaptation of a “Rope Edge” that is fairly common on some custom made challenge coins.

Challenge Coins Limited is able to tackle just about any design issue that may arise when composing your coin. With industry-leading options and helpful tips on ordering your coins, the process is a breeze!

During the filming of Iron Man 2, director Jon Favreau presented ‘Iron Man’ challenge coins to the troops stationed at Edwards Air Force Base. It was during the production crew’s time aboard the base that they bonded with the troops by exchanging these customized challenge coins.

Favreau and crewmembers were given battalion and squadron challenge coins by service men and women stationed on the ship. Favreau was honored by the gesture, and in return, had customized Iron Man 2 challenge coins made and handed out to the troops.

“The people at Edwards were great,” said co-producer Rockwell. “They provided everything we asked for and let us put up on the screen what their world really looks like.”

The specific scene filmed at Edwards is that which showed arms dealer Justin Hammer shopping for high-tech weapons on the black market. Favreau wanted complete authenticity for the scene, and so he had real weapons used as props. Although there were no sightings of Robert Downey Jr. on the set, troops were still thrilled to have a Hollywood film crew on-board. Whenever they had an opportunity, they would walk up to Favreau and other crew members and hand them one of their challenge coins. This began a friendship that both film crew and military service people on board the Edwards will never forget.

It was fitting that this friendship was made aboard an Air Force base. Legend has it that the origin of the challenge coin began during World War I amongst U.S. flying squadron troops. Young men from all walks of life wanted a chance to fly the never-before-used fighter planes in war. A wealthy lieutenant belonging to one of these new fighter squadrons decided to have bronze challenge coins specially made for members of his troop. As the story goes, it was one of these coins that saved one crewmember’s life.

While flying over enemy territory, German fire shot down one of the fighter pilots. The Germans captured the man and stripped him of all his belongings. However, they did not find his gold plated challenge coin tied around his neck in a leather sack. The overlooked coin would soon save his life.

Not long after he was captured, allied troops attacked the prison camp. The soldier escaped into the woods, but French troops soon captured him. They assumed that he was another German soldier in disguise. Just as he was about to get shot, the U.S. pilot pulled out his challenge coin and showed it to the captain. The captain stared down at the coin, and after studying the insignia for a few moments, he told the soldier to put away his gun. He had seen this insignia before. It was American.

When co-director Rockwell was asked about how the military service people responded to Favreau’s gesture of giving out Ironman 2 challenge coins, he emphasized that he was incredibly humbled by the unwavering kindness of the troops, and they were grateful that he not only understood, but also respect their culture and tradition.

Customized challenge coins are still used today. You can make your own coins for all kinds of events and club activities. Just as the coins helped the film crew of Iron Man 2 connect with the troops, you too can connect with new friends and colleagues through this unique token of appreciation.

Iraq War veteran, Jesse Medford, has taken challenge coins to another level by creating the first official challenge coin association. The Challenge Coin Association was established in 2006 after Jesse returned home from serving in the Middle East. The 34-year-old war veteran served in the 102nd Field Artillery, and like many military service men and women, received military challenge coins throughout his time in the service. By the end of his tour, he had an extensive collection of custom designed challenge coins.

When Jesse returned from his military service, he was a hero with a passion for a unique hobby. He wanted to continue collecting challenge coins, but was uncertain as to how he could find other enthusiasts. He soon discovered that the hobby had grown in popularity. Collecting challenge coins was no longer a hobby strictly enjoyed by military service people; rather, it had grown into a massive popular hobby nationwide. It was clear there needed to be some kind of organization to help challenge coin collectors meet. This was the beginning of the Challenge Coin Association.

The CCA is considered an exonumia organization. This means that it is recognized as a club or organization that deals in numismatic items, such as tokens or medals. The CCA currently has 700 registered members and is closely affiliated with American Numismatic Association. The CCA’s recognition from a prestigious coin organization like the ANA shows Jesse Medford created something long needed in the numismatic community.

Challenge coins have become something of a craze in the coin-collecting world. Originally military service people received them during their time in the U.S. military. They would hold on to these coins as tokens or mementos of their service. Some traded them, while others passed them down to family members. However, within the past ten years, people from all walks of life have had them customized and used challenge coins for different purposes.

Challenge coins have been given as gifts by U.S. Presidents like George Bush and Barack Obama. They have handed these coins out to military service people, as well as average American citizens as a way to show their appreciation for the work and support of average American citizens. Other organizations collecting these coins include the police department and fire department. In fact, professional poker players now use challenge coins as cardholders.

The CCA is growing every day. It has forums on MySpace, Google, and Yahoo. Collectors meet in these chat rooms and discuss topics related to challenge coins. They also go to virtual meet-ups to trade their coins with one another. One of the great parts about the CCA is anyone can join.

Membership into the CCA is a free and easy process. Jesse has created an official website for the organization where you can sign up and become a member. Once you are a member, you receive a free newsletter and access to trade links where other collectors look for people to trade their challenge coins.

With the growing number of challenge coin collectors, the Challenge Coin Association will only continue to expand. The possibilities are endless. Over time, Jesse Medford’s hobby may become one of the world’s most recognized authorities on exonumia. Time will only tell. However, one thing is for sure, people love challenge coins, and thanks to the ingenuity of Iraq War veteran, Jesse Medford, people can share their passion for this hobby in a fun and organized way.

Do you want a customized challenge coin but you’re unsure as how to design it? Before you go about placing your order, there are seven important things that you need to consider:

1. Event

A challenge coin can be the perfect token of appreciation at a special event. The types of events people give them out at include:

• Retirement parties
• Bachelor/Bachelorette parties
• Birthdays
• Commemoration ceremonies
• Events honoring acts of bravery
• Poker tournaments
• Fantasy football drafts
• Business conferences

People are using challenge coins in new and fun ways every day. It’s really up to you how you want to use them.

2. Artwork

Before looking for a challenge coin company, you should first brainstorm about the design you want on the face of your coin. Remember, you want to be unique, so pick art images or insignias that relate specifically to the event or people to who you are giving your challenge coins. Some options include:

• Cultural symbols like a shamrock or eagle
• Flags
• Monuments
• Dates
• Sports teams

The possibilities are endless, so take time to narrow down your choices.

3. Soft or Hard Enamel

The difference between a soft enamel and hard enamel challenge coin has nothing to do with the actual “hardness” or “softness” of the coin. Soft and hard enamel refer to the finishing process used to complete the challenge coin. Because the paint fills flush with the coin’s edges, a hard enamel coin has a smoother feel. On the other hand, softer enamel coins have raised metal areas that provide dimension, so they “feel” more textured to the touch. Naturally, hard enamel coins are more costly. You can read more on this subject here.

4. Quantity

If you’re designing a challenge coin as a gift to a few family members, then a small order is all you will need. However, many are designed for use at big events, like wedding coins or retirement parties. In these cases, you want to be sure that you order enough coins for everyone. Most challenge coin companies require minimum orders of at least 100 coins. That may sound like a lot, but it never hurts to order extra. That way you’re not leaving anyone out when it comes time to distribute them.

5. Plating

Plating refers to the outside covering of the challenge coin. There are many types of plating types to choose. These include:

• High polished gold, silver, or bronze
• Black nickel
• Antiqued gold, silver, or bronze
• Black metal

6. Size

Coins are measured in diameter. You may wish to a U.S. quarter as a reference point when deciding on the desired size of your custom challenge coin. A quarter is just shy of an inch in diameter.

Challenge coins are much larger than U.S. coin currency. They range from 1.5 to 3 inches in diameter. This means a quarter is about a half inch smaller in diameter than the smallest standard size challenge coin.

7. Edge

Challenge coins come in a variety of edges. It is best to think about the type of edge that you would like for your customized design before placing an order for your challenge coin. The most common edge types include:

• Flat edge
• Rope cut edge
• Spur edge
• Oblique line edge
• Flat weave edge
• Diamond cross cut edge

As you decide on how you want your challenge coin designed, you should consider each of these seven mentioned aspects. Taking the time before you call a company will ensure you get the perfect coin design for your individual needs. If you’ve already know what you want, you can fill out a free design and quote request, and the representatives at Challenge Coins Limited will offer you a great deal on coins featuring your customized design.

PHOTO CREDIT: AP

The challenge coin continues to be a symbol of appreciation and honor. It has become customary of President Obama to hand out challenge coins to honor the service of military service men and women. The coins have also been distributed to commemorate special events like his visit to Wakefield High School. They have come to signify events of national importance and are tokens of appreciation awarded to outstanding individuals or groups.

In Honor of the Heroic Act of Specialist Ross McGinnis

Specialist Ross McGinnis lost his life while attempting to save four other individuals from a grenade blast inside a Humvee in Iraq. Specialist McGinnis made the ultimate sacrifice for his country, and like the many great heroes who have done the same, he was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. The president visited the hallowed grounds of the cemetery on Memorial Day. During his visit, President Obama laid a challenge coin in front of the gravestone of Specialist McGinnis. The laying of the coin was a gesture of respect and gratitude from the Commander in Chief of the military for Specialist McGinnis’s outstanding valor.

The Tragedy of the Fort Hood Shootings

The tragedy of the Fort Hood Shootings is something U.S. civilians and military service men and women will never forget. On November 15, 2009 President Obama, accompanied by First Lady, Michelle Obama, placed challenge coins on each of the graves of the 13 victims killed at Ford Hood. This act was a symbol of the country’s mourning for the deceased.

In Appreciation for the Service of Troops Stationed in the Middle East

On May 6, 2011 at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, President Obama gave a challenge coin to Brigadier General Jeffrey Colt. Obama visited numerous military units returning from Afghanistan. One of the units he met with included the special elite forces team that was involved in the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden. It is assumed that numerous challenge coins were given to other military men and women in appreciation for their continued service to protect the U.S.

Military challenge coins have become a customary token of the President and the country’s appreciation to military service men and women. Although, it is impossible to ever repay these military heroes for the sacrifices they have made to keep our country safe, we try to find a way to capture the respect and appreciation we have for them.

These coins are not just available to the President of The United States. Other respected organizations including police and fire departments distribute these coins to honor heroic acts, celebrate special occasions, and build camaraderie. If you are interested in placing an order for custom challenge coins for your organization, you can call 1-800-818-3229 or fill out an online free quote submission, and the representatives at Challenge Coins Limited will assist you with your request.

Military coins have soared in popularity in recent years. While once only popular in military circles, the collectability of these coins has made them sought after items by historical, military, and general memorabilia collectors worldwide. It has become increasingly common to see military challenge coins being sold in collectors’ shops and auctions across the United States, and around the world.

Collectable military coins can sell for as much as thousands of dollars, or as little as ninety-nine cents. The significant range in value between these coins depends on a variety of different determining factors that are also used to assess other kinds of collectible items. These determining factors include:

• Rarity
• Significance
• Condition
• Sentimental value
• Design

While some of these factors are more influential than others in assessing the collectible and resale value of military coins, they all have an impact when determining challenge coin pricing.

Rarity

The rarity of certain military coins can be evaluated by asking the following questions:

• How many were made?
• How many are still in existence?

Coins with limited or exclusive manufacturing runs are usually some of the most difficult to find. These military coins are, in general, the most coveted due to how enormously difficult it is to find them. As such, they are also some of the most valuable, and command very high prices when put up for sale.

As with other collectible items, some older military coins are considered to be highly valuable due to the limited number left in existence. While these coins carried significant sentimental value and purpose to those awarded them, they may not have carried the same value to those who received them as part of an estate. Because military coins were not widely collected in the past, they did not carry the same monetary value. As such, they may have been lost or discarded, making them very difficult to find, and highly valuable to collectors in today’s market.

Significance

Not all military coins are considered to be equally significant. In general, the significance of these coins can be determined based on either the unit for which the challenge coin was made, or the rank of the officer or official that gave out the coin. The greater the significance of the coin, the more it is worth.

For example, the Bulldog challenge coin is one of the most coveted and valuable of military coins. The coin was distributed to B-52 gunners in World War II, and represented strength and courage. Because the gunner position no longer exists, the bulldog challenge coin has not been manufactured for some time. It is rarely seen for sale, as most families of the B-52 gunners have used it as an heirloom to represent the person’s legacy rather than sell it on the open market.

Military coins for other units are also highly coveted due to their significance, and are thus more valuable. An example of one of the more highly coveted significant coins is that which is made for the Black Ops unit.

The value of a military challenge coin also greatly depends on the rank of the officer or official that distributes it. For example, coins given out by the Secretary of Defense or President carry exceptional value.

Condition

The condition of a collectible is always considered to be an important factor in determining value, regardless of the industry. Military coins that are in better condition tend to be worth more than those in fair or poor shape. With military collector coins, the condition is evaluated based on whether or not it has scratches, or any other noticeable defects in its appearance. Coins that have holes drilled into them or have a badly scratched surface are not considered to be overly valuable due to their less than stellar condition.

Sentimental Value

Perhaps more than any other collectible, most military coins have an unparalleled amount of sentimental value. The coins signify the blood, sweat, and tears of those in the military. For those that were active members during times of war, these coins serve as a representation that they were able to make it out alive. As such, military challenge coins are often considered to be priceless in value to those that received them.

Design

While not a major factor in determining value, the design of a coin can affect its popularity and thus have a minimal impact on pricing. Those that display their military coins may place a greater emphasis on design, and will likely pay more for those that are more intricate and appealing to the eye.

Custom wedding coins are a fantastic way to add a splash of color and drama to your wedding. These coins, which are also known as challenge coins, wedding unity coins, wedding arras coins, or simply matrimonial coins are custom produced for your ceremony, and they may serve a wide variety of functions during your wedding. Whether you are looking for a way to create some tangible memories for your service or you simply love the idea of hearkening to an older, beautiful wedding tradition during your ceremony, consider the many roles that wedding coins can play.

Custom wedding coins, also known as Arras coins, are becoming popular favors, mementos at modern weddings. Challenge Coins Limited designs coins for such occasions every day. Call 1-800-818-3229.

Consider the physically pleasing qualities of wedding coins. They can made in any shape, format or color your event requires and are wonderful wedding favors. Imagine a glimmering gold or silver-colored coin sitting by the side of each plate at the reception, or handed by the bride to the wedding guests. They have a permanence about them that makes them a beautiful display and wonderful souvenir for the wedding, something that is neither too large and ostentatious or too small. These coins are a pleasing reminder of the ceremony and a wonderful way to commemorate the marriage.

The customizable nature of the coin is another feature that draws attention. You may choose to have the happy couple’s names emblazoned on the coin as well as the date, or you may simply find that you want a symbol that represents them engraved on the coin’s surface. Depending on what flavor the ceremony has, you may have the coin engraved with a symbol that matches the wedding’s theme. Consider what you might like to see on your wedding coins and how well they may serve you as personalized reminders of your wedding, perhaps even family heirlooms to be passed down.

When you are thinking about purchasing customizable wedding coins, there are many factors to consider. One of the first things is the metal plating. Both gold and silver are common choices for these coins, and you should consider the wedding scheme of your wedding. For example, gold is a wonderful choice if you have decided on warm colors like red, brown, orange and yellow. Gold is a warm color, and it is also the traditional choice for Mexican arras coins, as discussed below. Silver, on the other hand, matches cooler wedding colors, like blue, green, and white. Silver is a great choice when it comes to wedding ceremonies held during winter, for example.

There are many things that you can choose to have engraved on your wedding coins. Most common by far would be the couple’s names and the dates of the wedding. However, even on a standard wedding coin, that only takes up one side. On the other side, the wedding couple may choose to have another saying engraved. For example, there may be a Bible verse that is important to them, or a song lyric that describes their relationship. Some people simply choose to have a heart or a rose engraved on the back, symbolizing peace and beauty. For couples who are deeply invested in the church, there might simply be a cross on the back of the coin.

When choosing what to have engraved on the back of a wedding coin, you may consider who has helped you during the wedding proceedings. Some brides and grooms have their parent’ names listed on the back, or, if this is a second marriage, the names of their children. This is a wonderful way to symbolize two families coming together as one. When considering whether or not to have other people’s names on your wedding coin, speak to them and ask them what they think.

One fantastic way to have the wedding coins presented is to place them in a white silk bag that matches the bride’s dress and to have her give them out in the receiving line. This ensures that everyone who comes to the wedding receives one, and it adds a wonderfully personal touch to proceedings. This emphasizes the fact that the wedding coins are a gift from the wedded couple to the people who have attended the wedding.

Another way that people have handed out the wedding coins is by giving them to the flower girl or the ring bearer and asking your coin bearers to make sure that everyone at the wedding has a coin. Not only does this give the youngsters something to do, it is also a wonderfully charming way to hand out the coins.

Theme weddings are also venues where custom wedding coins can play a role. For example, if you are having a medieval wedding or a pirate wedding, these coins are wonderfully in keeping with your theme. They can be kept in a treasure chest and people can be encouraged to take one as they go by. Similarly, they can also be strewn on the tables as both decorations and party favors. On the other hand, they also add some glitz and shine to a wedding with a Mardi Gras theme or a wedding Las Vegas. Consider how these coins can give your wedding the flash that they need.

Traditions of the Las Arras (Wedding Coins)

Wedding coins play an important part in Mexican weddings and in traditional Spanish weddings (often Catholic weddings). In the traditional wedding, thirteen gold coins are given by the groom to the bride during the marriage ceremony. This symbolizes the groom giving the bride his worldly possessions and his wealth. The bride, in accepting the coins, is symbolizing her pledge to care for his wealth and to always use it wisely. If you are planning to have a traditional Mexican or Spanish wedding, these coins are an important part of the typically Catholic wedding ceremony. Choose your coins to reflect your commitment to each other.

In countries such as the Philippines and Spain, wedding coins have a significant meaning among locals. Wedding coins are among longstanding Hispanic traditions that are still well-known and widely observed in Latin America.

What do wedding coins mean?

The 13 wedding coins are symbolic in different ways, depending on which country’s tradition you follow However, one general idea about these wedding coins is that they symbolize the trust newly married couples have in each other when it comes to successfully managing their home and finances.

This translates to the groom promising that he will always be able to take care of his family. The bride makes a vow that she will honor God’s blessings in regards to her married life.

So why are there 13 wedding coins?

The reason there are 13 coins is that one represents Jesus and the other 12 represent his apostles. There are an odd number of coins because this means they can’t be divided evenly, as the culture dictates a marriage never should be.

Tradition dictates that either a priest or Godparent presents the coins to the newlywed husband. Of the 12 coins representing the apostles, each one counts towards one month of the year.

To find out more about wedding coins or to get started ordering beautiful custom wedding coins for your own special day, contact us at Challenge Coins Limited today!

Take some time to consider how custom wedding coins can serve at your wedding. Whether you want a wedding that has hints of a traditional ceremony as part of it, or you are more interested in a dramatic touch for your wholly modern wedding, look into wedding coins to help you achieve your goal. The representatives at Challenge Coins Limited can help make your wedding day all it can be with custom wedding unity coins. Contact us or call 1-800-818-3229.

Challenge coins can be a great way to honor a military veteran, promote a cause or celebrate a special occasion. They can also be clever marketing tools. Businesses are always looking for creative ways to promote themselves. One side of a coin can promote a company event, for example, while the other side features your company logo and business slogan. The marketing possibilities with challenge coins are nearly endless.

What Do You Want to Promote?

The first decision you have to make is what to put on the other side of the coin. It’s a given that one side will be your company name or logo. The flip side could be a specific conference or meeting or the anniversary of your business. It could also be tied into the holiday season or just about anything somehow related to your business. Another possibility is to tie the coin in with a particular promotion such as “10% off your next purchase” or a similar promo. Regardless of what you are marketing, you need to narrow down choices. They can also be used to promote an upcoming event your company is involved with. This could be a community event that you sponsor or an upcoming corporate event. You could also opt to use challenge coins to help launch a new product or service. It can be just about anything that you would normally want to market or promote in some way.

Your Plan of Attack

You can get a lot of use out of challenge coins, depending on how you use them. If you want to get the most of marketing an upcoming event, it’s a good idea to pass out the coins well in advance of the event. If you are simply using the coins to promote your business or a particular product or service, you can mix it up a little. Some can be passed out during your traditional marketing efforts such as mass mailers or within local communities. You could approach local businesses and make a deal that if they allow you to pass out your custom coins, you will promote their business or product or some other arrangement. Aside from physically handing them out, they can also be incorporated into other marketing techniques. You could mention your special coins, for instance, on your website or social media marketing efforts.

If you’re using challenge coins as a marketing tool, you probably want to make as many as possible. If you’re planning to use the coins to promote a certain event or something with a specific date attached, you may want to limit how many coins you have made. Keep in mind that you can always have more made. If you are using challenge coins to celebrate a business related anniversary, you may want to limit them somewhat to make them somewhat of a collector’s item. It really depends on what other methods you are using. If you are not entirely depending on a coin, you can be somewhat flexible with how many you have made.

Being Creative With Coins

Challenge coins can be an extremely clever marketing device, it just depends on your level of creativity. First, realize that custom coins are likely to standout from your other methods. It’s often the creative approaches to advertising that people tend to remember. Your coins can be given away with each purchase, or use of your service, or handed out by your employees. Sometimes they are simply left on the counter at your place of business for customers to take as they come in. You can even make the coins part of your general business practice by incorporating them into your slogan or adding a tag line such as “Ask about our challenge coins.”

A unique and custom made coin can be a creative way to promote your business or event. They are fairly easy to have made and can feature just about any design you can think of, including touches of different colors here and there. At a time when marketing budgets are tighter than ever, it is often the creative marketing efforts that standout from the crowd and have the most impact. Challenge coins certainly fit that category.

Challenge Coins Limited can help make your diversified branding campaign come together with no hassle, reasonable prices, and excellent service. We are available every day of the week to answer questions. Call toll free at 1-800-818-3229.

The concept of memorabilia is nothing new, and its desirability has existed as long as fans of teams and sports have wanted a small piece of the teams they support. Challenge coins are a relatively new form of memorabilia, at least in the sports world. They originated in the military as a means of building unit cohesion and camaraderie, but have since moved beyond their military background and out into the civilian world. Sports teams have several uses for challenge coins and are helping to propel their burgeoning popularity as collectors’ items.

The high customization level of challenge coins makes them desirable collectors’ items for players and fans alike. Since challenge coins are affordable and easy to customize, teams can make different designs so that people will want to trade coins. Teammates can trade coins within a team, especially if each coin is personalized to identify an individual person or number. Fans can exchange challenge coins with one another so they can collect coins from the best years and the most important events. People who love a particular sport in general can exchange challenge coins with other collectors in order to assemble a collection featuring all teams.

One of the biggest draws of challenge coins is the ability to customize each coin on an individual letter within an order. Coaches will sometimes order challenge coins with names and jersey numbers to hand out to players in order to motivate them for the upcoming season or congratulate them for a job well done at the end of a season. These coins might even be handed out during an awards ceremony in which each coin is minted to reflect individual achievements and superlatives. Combining the highly personal aspect of a name and jersey number with a more general team mascot or symbol creates a memorable and valued piece of team memorabilia that will be treasured beyond season’s end.

Challenge coins are also good for fundraising. An attractively designed coin will be desired by fans of a team, particularly if the fans are regular game attendees. These coins can be sold at and between games in order to raise money to supplement traveling expenses, equipment costs, and league dues that teams may have to pay in order to play. Challenge coins are durable and long lasting, giving them added appeal to fans who want to purchase a piece of sports memorabilia that will not break or wear shortly after purchase.

Personalized coins can also be used as environmentally friendly admittance tokens. Rather than wasting paper on printed tickets, teams can pass out reusable challenge coins instead. Game attendees simply hand the challenge coin to the admittance gate attendant and the coins will be redistributed upon purchase for the next upcoming game. Challenge coins can also be used for promoting special team deals and packages. An announcer tells game attendees that those in possession of a team challenge coin all get a free soda at the concession stand and the fans simply show their coins to the vendor to gain their prizes. Teams can draw in new fans and game attendees by showing themselves to be environmentally conscious and willing to try unique, eye-catching solutions to modern problems.

More and more important gaming events are being started by a flip of a challenge coin. It is not uncommon to hear an official publicly state that the coin that they are flipping to determine possession has one school’s logo on one side and the other school’s logo on the reverse side. They have become collectors’ items by those who want a souvenir from that particular season or game.

Challenge coins make excellent gifts for those who want to reward team players for hard work and good play as well as for fans of teams that want a long-lasting souvenir of a special occasion for their teams. They can be used to raise both team spirit as well as money for team supplies and can be a great means of bringing a fan base together. These coins can also be traded to fans and players of other teams in order to show good sportsmanship and to assemble league and division coin collections. Those with military backgrounds will also appreciate receiving a challenge coin because they will be reminded of teamwork and unity from their times of service. The distribution of challenge coins is ever growing in popularity, so teams would be wise to get in on this newer form of promoting the team’s image now so that they will be seen as forward thinking and relevant to the modern sports fan.

Challenge Coins Limited has designers available to make your next sporting event an even more cherished event – call us at 1-800-818-3229 to see how we can adapt your team logo into the coin making process.

Challenge coins can represent some very diverse groups across many different walks of life and professions. Some coins have military insignia, corporate logos, sports team icons, or represent future and past events. No matter what the purpose is of your custom coin, each can be personalized to your needs.

Have you ever seen a coin with a clear coating over one or both sides? This is called an epoxy dome and is used in the production of challenge coins to appeal to those customers who desire a smooth glassy finish to their coins.

While most people enjoy the textured sides of challenge coins caused by the stamping of the design into the blank, there are those customers who opt for an epoxy finish. In our experience, customers who simply display their challenge coins will have only one side of the coin finished with epoxy. The one-sided finish allows the challenge coins to be placed on a table or desk and remain sturdy. The epoxy finish on each challenge coin is really bubble shaped – not perfectly flat. So, if you set your challenge coin on a flat surface, it will tend to wobble if placed on the epoxy finish side. Conversely, those who intend on carrying the challenge coins in their pocket will choose double sided epoxy for their challenge coins. In either situation, the epoxy dome offers a protective glossy finish that will accent your custom designed coins. This extra step adds 2 days to our production process.

Designing custom coins is an important process to making sure our customers are pleased with the finished product. We are often presented with only rough ideas from customers who would like to place an order. With these ideas, our challenge coins designers incorporate our factory manufacturing standards to make sure the finished coins match each design proof as close as possible.

Challenge coins, due to their size, can be made with great detail. Also, the larger the challenge coins are, the more detail that can be added. Most challenge coins are 1.75″ diameter with some coins exceeding 2.5″ or more depending on the customer’s needs. You are not limited to certain shapes or sizes – we have produced some rather unusual and distinct coins for troops and private companies all over the world.

Military challenge coins often use highly detailed crests and unit insignia, while corporate, civic and sports oriented challenge coins are typically not as detailed. With this in mind, we find that our military coins are usually ordered at 1.625″ and above, while most others remain at around 1.5″.

Regardless of your design requirements, our designers can apply your needs to the perfect size order of challenge coins. For examples of different size coins, we invite you to visit our website’s coin gallery. There you will find many different coins of various sizes and detail. If you are undecided about what size best suits your application, we’d be more than happy to recommend a solution for you. Call us today for more information at 1-800-818-3229.