Metal Memories: Aluminum Coins Mark 40 Years Strong
5-minute read
Logan Aluminum Celebrates an Important Milestone With the Help of Signature Coins
Victor Dodson, Continuous Improvement Specialist at the company, said, “Aluminum is what we do and is infinitely recyclable, so we felt strongly that we should make our coins out of aluminum and not steel.” Aluminum coins are much lighter than traditional challenge coins made from brass or steel, but they’re incredibly strong. For Logan Aluminum, choosing aluminum was a must because of the company’s connection to the material, so our team at Signature Coins set to work sourcing it for them.
Manufacturing challenge coins is a labor-intensive process that involves cutting dies, stamping coins, deburring, polishing, and several other important steps in between. It typically takes a few weeks, but the anniversary dinner for Logan Aluminum was fast approaching when the design was finished.
The solution? We suggested a rush order via our domestic manufacturing facility. These U.S. made coins were designed, produced, shipped, and delivered within a three-week window, ensuring that the coins were in hand for the company’s 40th anniversary celebration. Part of that process involved securing enough aluminum for the project, stamping out each individual coin, and then UV printing the design onto the surface of each coin to add color. Dodson said, “The coins were a huge hit, and the fact that they were made in the USA was an added bonus.”
Over the years, our team has helped Logan Aluminum create custom ball markers and challenge coins for several events, and moving forward, they plan on exclusively designing Aluminum coins from our domestic manufacturing team. “Logan has been using challenge coins for years to recognize milestones and celebrate achievements, “ said Dodson. “I’m not sure exactly when it all started, but you’ll see these coins on desks all around the plant, each tied to a different event or initiative. They’ve become a nice way to show appreciation and remember important moments”
Creating the Custom Aluminum Coin Design
To meet the fast turnaround time, our team created aluminum coins with UV printed artwork. The process involves creating aluminum “blanks,” which are smooth, flat coins without any stamped artwork. The blanks are then put through a UV printing machine that heat transfers the artwork onto the coins, creating simulated ridges and textures.
By layering the colors on the coin’s surface, we’re able to give the artwork the illusion of depth, similar to the texture of a traditional die struck design with raised edges and stamped artwork.
As for the artwork itself, our team always offers free, professional designs and unlimited revisions. The goal is to make sure every client gets the perfect artwork, no matter what. Dodson and Logan Aluminum have created several challenge coins with us, and, when asked about the process, Dodson said, “The process has been easy. Sometimes I don’t even have a design in mind. The art department has done a great job so far of making the coins we need. Since we’re an aluminum company, it was especially meaningful to have the coins made from the same material we work with.”
Share Your Own Challenge Coin Story!
We’re always on the lookout for the fun and exciting stories behind every challenge coin. Each one marks a unique experience, achievement, or piece of history. If you have a story to tell, share it with us! We’d love to hear it!
Feeling inspired? Get started on your own custom coin design for free! Our team is reading to bring your vision to life and create the perfect gift for your team.
