Send Us Your Ideas
Get an Online Proof
Receive Order

Wholesale Challenge Coins

If you’re ordering challenge coins in bulk quantity, you want to be sure you’re still getting a quality product. At Signature Coins, no matter whether you order 100 or 100,000 coins, our world-class sales team and dedicated artists will make sure your coins are exactly what you want.

From a Military Tradition to the Corporate World

Custom challenge coins have been growing steadily in popularity over the years.The challenge coins tradition has roots in the United States Military. Superior officers would commission custom coins with unit insignias emblazoned across the front and hand them out to their men. Each coin represents honor, integrity, and courage in the line of fire. Soldiers would earn custom challenge coins by performing under pressure and committing themselves to excellence in service to our Nation.

Blue and gold Astronics All In corporate challenge coins produced in bulk

Free mold and set up is included on orders of over 300 coins as well! Delivery takes around 14 business days on completed orders. That includes both production and shipping! We are perfectly capable of keeping up with wholesale challenge coin orders and meeting sales demands. Signature Coins stores your challenge coin mold for 2 years, free of charge, after the initial order. This expedites future orders and ensures our clients do not have to pay for mold and set up a second time.

Get started with your custom order of wholesale challenge coins today by following the links below!

Antique bronze Morgan County Georgia years-of-service wholesale challenge coins

Why Order With Signature Coins?

Signature Coins is different from other coin suppliers because we only offer original work. Nothing we create comes from stock imagery or templated coin setups. We work closely with each of clients to ensure our wholesale challenge coins capture the character and spirit of an organization.

Your vision for custom design will be brought to life through the experience and skill of our design staff. We specialize in producing high-quality bulk challenge coins and offer competitive services like:

  • Free artwork
  • Free quotes
  • Free unlimited revisions
  • Free UPS Air shipping
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee

Uses And Custom Options For Wholesale Challenge Coins

ARMS public housing anniversary challenge coins celebrating 5, 10, 15, and 20-plus years of service

Common ideas for custom challenge coin artwork include emblems, slogans, department or store names, location information, and original mascot or character art. It just depends on the purpose of the coins. Retailers use wholesale challenge coins for:

  • Promotion:
    • Stores, restaurants, museums, clubs, and other organizations use challenge coins to promote services. They change hands quickly and include information on brand identity, upcoming events, and locations.
  • Retail Sales:
    • Coins are sometimes sold by retailers or included with purchases. Custom designs build brand loyalty and are carried as a symbol of support and inclusion.
  • Raise Awareness:
    • Challenge coins are often created to support causes like cancer research, elections, or social issues. Proceeds from sales can be donated or put towards sponsorship events.

Customization is easy with Signature Coins. First, fill out one of our order forms. We ask for some information on what type of designs you are looking for before we get started. If you have any ideas or pre-drawn art, send it our way. Even a sketch on the back of a napkin helps! Our artists will have your first free proof ready within 24 to 48 hours. We also offer free unlimited revisions so feel free to let us know of any adjustments or additions you would like us to make.

Green and gold ARMS Automated Records Management System wholesale challenge coins

Some options on in coin construction you can expect to control are:

  • Size & Shape:
    • Our clients most often want standard medallion style coins, but we can work with any specification. Dual purpose coins like bottle openers and screwdrivers are popular as well.
  • Color:
    • We use the Pantone Matching System to ensure consistency across all mediums. Organizational symbols and designs can be recreated easily with the exact shades of color.
  • Materials:
    • We use durable metals like brass, steel, and zinc in coin construction. This ensures longevity and dexterity. Custom designs are sure to hold their smooth surfaces and vibrant colors.
  • Edging:
    • Custom edging options include spur edging, rope edging, cross-cut edging, and standard smooth edging.
  • Presentation:
    • Coin presentation options include plastic stands, velvet pouches, velvet cases, and coin capsules among others.

To see a full list of customizable options and their descriptions, check out our pricing page! Our goal is to provide every possible avenue for custom design in our wholesale challenge coins. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us! One of our friendly specialists will be happy to help!

Sarasota County Fire Department maltese cross challenge coin surrounded by thin red line years-of-service coins

Who Uses Wholesale Challenge Coins?

Wholesale challenge coins are versatile. Traditionally, challenge coins have been used in the military to promote team unity and to commemorate service. The benefits of using custom coins have caught on in all sorts of team-centered organizations. Custom wholesale challenge coins create a shared vision and build camaraderie through shared experience. They are a mark of pride, accomplishment, and support among team members and are carried at all times as a mark of distinction.

Some of the larger organizations that use wholesale challenge coins include:

Bulk order of Sarasota County Fire Department wholesale challenge coins arranged on a black surface
  • The United States Military:
    • Signature Coins has created custom wholesale challenge coins for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and countless military bases and installations. The coins are used to welcome new recruits, to commemorate graduation ceremonies, and to recognize excellent service. Each coin is a representation of values like courage, commitment, and honor.
  • Corporations:
    • Employees are the source of success for a corporation. Wholesale challenge coins reward their service, promote camaraderie, and remind staff of their value and influence. Without their efforts, the business could not survive. Signature Coins has handcrafted bulk challenge coins for companies like Microsoft, Facebook, NASCAR, and Amazon.
  • Local Law Enforcement:
    • Police Officers put their lives on the line every day. Departments commission wholesale challenge coins to celebrate exemplary service, promotions, retirements, and to commemorate milestone achievements in department history.

The benefits of wholesale challenge coins are felt in every organization where teams work together to reach the same goals. Signature Coins is committed to ensuring those teams get the most unique and compelling challenge coins available.

Gold Temecula Valley Unified School District 25-year service wholesale challenge coins with a silver antique master coin
download-template

Download Our Design Template

Custom Coin Customer Reviews

Custom Challenge Coin Pricing

Color on Both Sides

(Up to 7 Colors per Side)
Size 50
1.5" $6.03

Color on One Side

(Up to 7 Colors)
Size 50
1.5" $6.03

No Color

(Metal Only)
Size 50
1.5" $6.03

Mold Setup Fees

Molds are FREE on all orders over 300 pieces
(on coins up to 2.5")
Size 50
1.5" $6.03

Custom Challenge Coin Edge Options

Standard Flat Edge
Price: per coin
Rope Edge
Price: per coin
Spur Edge
Price: per coin
Flat Weave Bevel Edge
Price: per coin
Oblique Edge
Price: per coin
Cross Cut Edge
Price: per coin

Custom Challenge Coin Plating Options

Antique Gold
Price: per coin
Antique Silver
Price: per coin
Antique Copper
Price: per coin
High-Polish Gold
Price: per coin
High-Polish Silver
Price: per coin
Dual-Plating
Price: per side per coin

Additional Challenge Coin Options

Spinner Challenge Coins
Interactive coins where part of the coin is designed to spin or rotate freely.
Pricing depends on size and complexity
Challenge Coin Cut Outs
Not only can the outer shape of the coin be customized, but the interior areas can be “cut out” as well
Price: per cut out
3D Challenge Coins
3D coins have an unlimited number of sculpted levels. We can round edges and create smooth gradations.
Price:
Sequential Numbering
The perfect option for anyone looking for trackable coins or just a fun way to make every coin a little more special.
Price: per coin
Glow in the Dark
Choosing from our selection of glow enamels ensures your design will continue to shine even when the lights go out.
Price: per coin
Edge Engraving
Not only can you design the front and back of your coins, but the true edge can be engraved with messages as well.
Price: per coin

Common Challenge Coin Questions

A challenge coin is usually a metal coin or medallion, bearing an organization's insignia, emblem or logo and carried by the organization's members. Traditionally, challenge coins were used by the military and displayed by service men and women to prove exclusive membership when challenged, and to enhance the military units' morale.

Historically, challenge coins were awarded by military unit commanders in recognition of special achievement made by a member of the unit. They are also known to be exchanged and traded during recognition visits to different international organizations, bases and service tours. These coins have been heavily collected by active and retired service members and law enforcement personnel for years.

Modern challenge coins are made in a variety of sizes and often include popular culture references such as superheroes as well as known characters in a parody. Many companies today are using them to build morale in teams, link people with similar interests and even to promote their brand. Challenge coin designs today are pushing the boundary of what a challenge coin could mean or be used for. One thing is for sure, personalized coins further strengthen the sense of bond within people that both give and receive them.

Challenge coins are often used as a physical token or symbol to represent membership to an organization, unit, or team.

Challenge coins also serve as a lasting personal award for anyone that has received one. Since they are custom and long lasting, challenge coins serve well to commemorate the time and experience put in to overcome overwhelming obstacles or the extraordinary effort and sacrifice needed to reach a given achievement. These keepsake coins become a life long reminder of the achievements made.

Our bravest first responder services also have a history of using challenge coins. Whether for fire departments, emergency medical technicians or law enforcement officers, challenge coins have been used to award bravery, acts of heroism and department camaraderie.

Many companies today have been started by veterans, or are veteran owned and are beginning to use the challenge coin tradition to help represent accomplishments in their businesses. This modern approach to awarding challenge coins has garnered some criticism from the traditionalists. Signature Coins has been making challenge coins for 20 plus years, and we see more and more companies joining in on awarding custom challenge coins to customers, staff, and volunteers. They are using them to build morale in teams, link people with similar interests and even to promote their brand or charities.

Generally speaking you give someone a challenge coin when you want to honor them for a good deed or for their hard work.

Challenge coins still play a major role in the military today, much like a "Thank you Plus" or "Great Job Plus". In the armed forces not every action rates an honorable medal or certificate, for those moments when someone is deserving of more than a thank you, awarding them with a challenge coin fills the gap.

As a very simple miltary example. You're out on a 3 day field op. One of your guys or gals busts their butt during a particularly stressful couple hours of it. Shows great attitude, effort, and was overal top notch. If you tried to write it up, it wouldn't "quite" be "award worthy" but definitely deserved "recognition."

Now even if you're not a veteran or a member of the armed forces, you can still recognize and award someone with custom challenge coins.

You can use challenge coins to reward employees after the completion of a special project or if huge accomplishments have been made company wide. The coin design can be representative of the achievement, the employee or the company goals. Studies show when employees are recognized for a job well done, they feel more satisfied with their job performance, are more likely to reach for higher goals, and are more loyal to their organizations.

Finding the right time and place to give someone a challenge coin can be, well, a bit challenging.

  • Military tradition has a few ways of approaching this honor. One being "The Secret Handshake" where commanding officers, department officials or the president himself would shake a soldiers hand and "slip" them the coin via the handshake. Transferring the coin shouldn't be dramatic or obvious, like a quiet wink and a nod, this honor is more personal to the people giving and receieving the award and less ceremonial. Although a bit more obvious, another military tradition is to hand them out in front of a formation or during a meeting, but it's more commonly done one on one.

  • As more civilians and businesses use challenge coins, they have taken a more ceremonious and inclusive approach to awarding them. When looking to give a challenge coin to an employee or team member most businesses will do it during a team meeting. Some businesses have even integrated their employee award recognition into their annual and quarterly ceremonies. Awarding their employees in front of others can be a great way to show the rest of the team that you too can be "recognized" if the effort is there.

  • Modern marketers are also finding that custom challenge coins make for great business cards, so many high end service providers, such as lawyers, accountants and commercial developers are now giving their custom coins out as a means of promoting themselves or their business offerings.

Challenge coins typically cost $3.00 -$5.00 per coin for a full production run of 100 coins generally speaking.

More specifically though, it depends. Challenge coin pricing is dependent on a variety of factors including size, quantity, and coloration. Your organization's insignia or logo, as well as the brand standards surrounding it, will often dictate coloration. The level of complexity, industry standards, and personal preference will dictate the size of the coin.

You can view our challenge coin pricing here.

Designing challenge coins is a lot of fun, but there's also a ton of things to think about before getting started. Luckily, we have years of experience making custom coins, and we're happy to help you every step of the way.

We have put together a how-to guide that will tell you everything you need to know about challenge coin design.

Challenge Coin Design 101: A How-To Guide For Creating Challenge Coins