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Veteran Challenge Coins

Veteran challenge coins are often presented during reunions, retirement ceremonies, commemorative events, or as personal keepsakes. Given as a symbol of honor and shared experience, these coins serve as lasting reminders of service, brotherhood, and the legacy veterans carry with them long after their time in uniform.

Veteran Challenge Coins Gallery

Military Veteran Coins

Military Veterans Deserve Only The Best Challenge Coins

Throughout their service to the U.S. Military, veterans are involved in numerous responsibilities and missions, earning them drawers and collections full of unique military challenge coins. These coins are awarded to service members as they demonstrate outstanding completion of their military service, pass major milestones in their careers, or are recognized by their commanding officers for serving with distinction. Each challenge coin in a veteran’s collection tells a different chapter in the story of their service and demonstrates their willingness to serve time and time again.

At Signature Coins, we are proud to know that so many of our nation’s military veterans have our coins in their collections or back pockets. For over 15 years, we have been a trusted industry expert in the design, development, and delivery of custom-made challenge coins to members in every branch of our nation’s military.

Whether you are a veteran who served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, or U.S. Navy, we at Signature Coins salute your service and dedication to the country, and we hope our coins continue to give you fond memories of your duty.

What Are Veteran Challenge Coins?

Veterans are awarded challenge coins for serving with their units, performing exceptionally in the completion of their duties, or as an award for taking part in a dangerous operation. At the end of any veteran’s career, they are likely to have large collections of unique challenge coins. Every challenge coin is unique to every unit, operation, or officer who commissioned the coin, but the most common elements include the major emblems or slogans of a particular military branch or unit.

By the time a service member has gone from Active Duty to military veteran, their collections will be filled with unique challenge coins from the battles they’ve fought, operations they’ve taken action in, and units they’ve fought with. Each coin in their collection tells stories of their service long after they have left, and represents a colorful military history.

Military Veteran Coins

Soldiers have received challenge coins since as far back as World War I, and challenge coins are a consistent tradition in nearly every branch of the military. Even after their service, war veterans may be awarded new challenge coins in recognition of their previous service at military events and from fellow soldiers who meet and wish to honor them.

Veterans of conflicts with notable challenge coin traditions include:

  • World War II Veterans - Challenge coins are often made and distributed to World War II veterans during annual military birthday balls and other major events which honor veterans of World War II. These coins commemorate the sacrifices and valor of these veterans in one of the nation’s biggest conflicts.
  • Vietnam War Veterans - The “challenging” tradition of challenge coins is said to have first started with “bullet clubs” during the Vietnam War where special forces soldiers would keep a single “final” bullet for themselves rather than risk capture and betray their comrades.
  • Korean War Veterans - Often called the “Forgotten War,” members of the armed forces demonstrate that they have not in fact forgotten the conflict by commissioning custom anniversary challenge coins to be given to veterans who served and to be distributed in honor of the conflict.
  • Operation Desert Storm War Veterans - One of the major operations of the Persian Gulf War, challenge coins minted in 1991 are considered valued collector’s items and veterans of the conflict continue to be honored by fellow soldiers and the government with custom anniversary challenge coins.
  • Iraq War Veterans - Veterans of the initial conflict were honored for their service throughout the war with unique challenge coins awarded for their exceptional service in a modern conflict. Many of these war veterans continue to serve and earn new challenge coins as they create new chapters through their military career.
Challenge Coins are Earned, Never Given

Designing A Veteran Challenge Coin

At Signature Coins, we’ve developed a simple and straightforward three-step process to ensure quality products and quick turnaround times to all of our military clients. To get started, simply fill out our quote form linked on this page and you will receive a free art proof of your design within 24 to 48 hours. The art proof will be full color and incorporates any unique emblems or symbols requested. Additionally, if you don’t have a clear idea of how you’d like your design, our representatives can provide advice to help you create a truly special coin to honor your veteran.

We offer unlimited revisions to each order until you are completely satisfied and give us final approval to begin production. After approval, orders are completed and delivered to your doorstep within 14 business days via free UPS Priority Air Shipping.

Most challenge coins designed specifically for veterans are commissioned to honor their previous service in any of our nation’s past conflicts. With a team including military veterans on our end, we understand how important these coins can be to their recipients. You can always trust Signature Coins to have your needs in mind when designing a challenge coin.

With over a decade of experience in the business, we are an industry leader for designing and supplying the Active Duty military and their veterans with challenge coins for any occasion, including:

  • Anniversary coins commemorating past conflicts and honoring current veterans
  • Commander coins for officers
  • Unit coins for entire divisions
  • Honor coins for exceptional service
  • Birthday ball coins
  • And many more
Veterans Day Challenge Coins

Customizing Military Veteran Challenge Coins

Our company offers a host of customization options with each order of veteran challenge coins, including free and premium options for modifying the size, shape, color, edging, plating, and more. Our expert representatives have a wealth of experience designing coins for the military and we treat each order with the same dedication our veterans have shown us.

Our services allow you to completely modify a coin’s:

  • Size - The most common sizes are between 1" to 3", but we’ve made coins as large as 9".
  • Shape - Challenge coins are traditionally shaped like circular coins, but we can create coins in every shape imaginable including weapons, badges, emblems, or mascots.
  • Color - Choose to leave the coin in its natural metallic color or have it painted with up to seven colors on either side chosen from the full Pantone color spectrum.
  • Coin Edge - There are six different options to decorate the edge of every coin, providing a unique look and feel to each order.
  • Plating - Plate your coin in antique gold, silver, or copper. Double plate a coin to create and highlight key details.
  • 3D Coins - Allow specific details or elements of a design to literally pop or stand out of a coin’s surface by ordering a 3D coin.
  • Offset Print - Offset printing creates an exact replica of an image or photograph on the surface.
  • Silk Screen - Create a perfectly smooth coin surface by silk screening your design’s colors onto the coin.
  • Epoxy Dome - Create a glassy and smooth finish over one or both sides of a coin with an epoxy dome.

Whether you know from the start what design and symbols you want to incorporate or need assistance in finding the right look, our dedicated team of professional graphic artists works with you at every step.

Get Your Free Military Veteran Artwork Today

Signature Coins has military veterans on our team designing and building our challenge coins, and we understand how important it is to have a unique item for every occasion. Trust our skill to bring fine detailing, state-of-the-art customer service tools, and expert representatives. Fill out our quote form today and receive your free art proof within 24 to 48 hours.

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Download Our Design Template

Challenge 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.

Challenge coins can also be used as a token to commemorate a special event or anniversary. You can view some of our commemorative coins here.

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