New to the world of challenge coins?
It's natural to feel a bit lost and confused.
As accomplished challenge coin makers, we at Badges And Medals have received countless questions from curious minds like yours. That's why, in this article, we're answering your most common queries, from the meaning behind their strange name to the process of ordering your own.
By tackling these questions head-on, we'll turn your confusion into confidence!
Want to jump to a specific question? We’ve got them linked for you below:
- What is a custom challenge coin?
- What are challenge coins used for?
- Why is it called a 'challenge' coin?
- What is the history behind challenge coins?
- Who can buy challenge coins?
- How much do challenge coins cost?
- Why are challenge coins more expensive than medals?
- What are MOQs and how do they affect challenge coin prices?
- What are the pros and cons of challenge coins?
- How customisable are challenge coins?
- Do you design the challenge coin yourself?
- What do you need to give the supplier's design team?
- Where to find challenge coin design ideas?
- How do you order challenge coins?
- When should you order challenge coins
- Is there an easy way to find the best date to order challenge coins?
- Do challenge coins come in boxes?
Challenge Coin FAQs: Your Quick Start Guide
What is a custom challenge coin?
A challenge coin is an award that looks like a coin, only bigger and thicker. Both sides are decorated with artwork, with the most popular being the logo or slogan of a specific group or organisation.
Unlike the coins in your wallet, challenge coins are made to order. That means you can customise almost every aspect to match what you need. It’s why they’re called 'custom' challenge coins.
Here's what a challenge coin looks like compared to a regular coin:
What are challenge coins used for?
Challenge coins are one of the most flexible awards in the world.
Why? Because they can be used in ways that other awards can't.
Take custom medals, for example. They're typically reserved for specific events, such as sports competitions. They're rarely used by businesses. Challenge coins are different. They can be awarded by anyone for any reason.
Here’s how they’re commonly used, using real-life examples:
- Recognise achievements
There's no better way to recognise milestones and accomplishments than with a challenge coin. For instance, a company might give a custom challenge coin to an employee who has gone above and beyond to boost their sales that year.
- Build team spirit
Nothing brings a group together quite like challenge coins. Take a fire brigade, for example. When members receive a challenge coin, they feel recognised for their time and sacrifice. It makes them feel like a valued member of the team. It also makes the firefighter feel a deeper camaraderie with their team because they all share a coin.
- Mark special events
Challenge coins are a great way to mark special occasions. For example, sports fans love a challenge coin commemorating their team’s 50th anniversary.
Why is it called a 'challenge coin'?
Because coin holders can challenge each other to a game!
The rules of the game change depending on where you work, but the basic idea stays the same: one person presents their coin and challenges others to show theirs. If that person can't produce their coin, they owe the challenger a favour. But if they can, the challenger owes them a favour.
This game adds a fun twist to these awards and encourages people to keep their coins on them.
What is the history behind challenge coins?
No one is sure, but there's one thing everyone agrees on: they started in the military.
Some folks say challenge coins date back to Ancient Rome because soldiers used to receive minted coins when they hit a big achievement.
Others believe challenge coins took off during World War I. The story goes that a wealthy American officer had special coin-like tokens made for his unit, and one of those coins saved a soldier's life. Captured by the French and without personal ID, the soldier used his coin to prove he wasn’t an enemy spy. The French recognised the emblem on the coin and decided not to execute him. After that, carrying a coin became that squadron's tradition.
Either way, challenge coins have since become very popular both in and out of the military.
CREDIT: FORUMANCIENTCOINS.COM
Who can buy challenge coins?
Anyone can buy challenge coins! Though they started in the military, challenge coins have gained popularity in various other fields, and it's easy to see why. Their big appeal lies in how customisable they are, making them perfect for any occasion, from fire brigade anniversaries to sports club wins.
Today, anyone, regardless of their background, can design, purchase, and gift challenge coins.
For more information, read: 'Who Can Buy Challenge Coins?'
How much do challenge coins cost?
The short answer is it depends on the choices you make.
The long answer is that, like most custom-made things, the cost of challenge coins changes with each order because each one is made to fit an individual’s needs. Because of this, prices can range anywhere from US$0.55 to US$13.85 per coin - and that's before you throw in extras.
Here's what can affect the cost of your challenge coins:
- The number of coins you order:
Big orders have a lower cost per challenge coin than smaller orders. This is because larger orders allow suppliers to use their resources more efficiently and reduce rent and salaries.
- The supplier's setup fee:
Suppliers often charge a fee to create a challenge coin mould; however, this fee is usually a one-time charge because the mould is reusable. At Badges And Medals, this fee is about $115.
- The level of customisation you want:
Challenge coins are incredibly customisable. Some suppliers offer unlimited customisation included in the price. Meanwhile, others only cover basic customisation and charge extra for add-ons. These extras can add up. Click here to skip to all the different ways you can customise your challenge coin.
For a more comprehensive breakdown, read 'How Much Do Custom Challenge Coins Cost?' or '5 Ways To Reduce Challenge Coin Costs'.
Why are challenge coins more expensive than medals?
Both challenge coins and medals have two sides. However, challenge coins have designs on both sides, while medals usually have a design on just one.
This means that creating a challenge coin involves double the amount of moulds and designs compared to a medal, meaning more work and materials. That's why you'll often find that custom challenge coins cost more than custom medals.
What are MOQs, and how do they affect challenge coin prices?
Most suppliers have a minimum order quantity, an 'MOQ', for their products.
To put it simply, this is the smallest number of items you must purchase in one go. For example, if a supplier's MOQ is 50 challenge coins, you must buy at least 50 coins from them.
MOQs cover the basic costs of making your challenge coins, such as labour, rent, electricity, and materials.
Without MOQs, suppliers might receive small orders that cost them more to produce than they earn. It's like cooking a roast chicken just for the drumsticks. Not all suppliers have MOQs. However, it's important to remember this when planning your budget or picking a new supplier.
At Badges And Medals, our minimum order is 25 challenge coins.
Check out our other MOQs here: 'Common Questions About Working With Badges And Medals'.
What are the pros and cons of challenge coins?
Like any product, challenge coins come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Let's break them down to help you decide if they’re the right choice for your needs.
The advantages of challenge coins:
- They're durable enough to last several lifetimes.
- You can customise them in almost any way you want.
- They're very good at making people feel like they're part of a team.
- They're easy to carry - most challenge coins will fit in your wallet!
- They're used by several fields, like militaries, businesses, and events, unlike sports medals, which are usually limited to athletic competitions. In other words, they're universally popular.
- They hold a lot of sentimental and historical value. Because of this, some are worth money.
The disadvantages of challenge coins:
- You can't wear them.
- They're more expensive than other awards.
- They take longer to make than most other awards.
- Due to their small size, they're easier than other awards to lose.
- The tradition of challenging others to show their coin can lead to awkward situations.
How customisable are challenge coins?
Challenge coins are extremely customisable. If you can name it, you can change it!
Check out the two tables below to see all the different options available.
Remember, there’s a difference between what you can change (features included in every design process that are flexible) and what you can add (extra features that aren’t always included in every process but can be added depending on your supplier). But don't worry, our tables make this clear!
Or, if you prefer pictures, check out: 'Top 11 Challenge Coin Design Ideas [With Examples]'.
Here are features you can change:
|
What can I change? |
What is it? |
|
Coin material |
Most coins are made from zinc alloy. However, you can change this to brass if you want a heavier coin. This makes people think it's worth more. |
|
Coin size |
The most popular challenge coin sizes are 50mm and 70mm wide. However, you can make your coin much smaller or larger than these. For example, at Badges And Medals we also make 40mm and 100mm coins. |
|
Coin thickness |
Most challenge coins are 3mm thick. You can up this to 4mm or 5mm if you want your coin to feel heavier, which makes people think it's more valuable. |
|
Coin shape |
Traditionally, challenge coins are round to look like a coin. But they don't have to be. You can choose any shape you like for your 'coin'. |
|
Coin colour |
Most challenge coins have either a gold or silver base. However, you can go for something more unique, if you'd like. Popular alternatives include bronze, white or black. |
Here are features you can add:
|
What can I add? |
What is it? |
|
Enamel |
Enamel is used by suppliers to colour in details on your coin. For example, in the picture above, it's used to colour the kangaroo red. Without enamel, your coin is colourless. |
|
Personalised engraving |
Words can be engraved onto a challenge coin's edge or face using a laser. This creates a unique connection between the recipient and their coin. You can engrave whatever you fancy, with the most common choice being the recipient's name or unit number. |
|
Unique materials |
One of the most visually striking ways to customise challenge coins is to add unique materials to your design. For example, you could make part of your logo seashells or plastic "metal" sheets. This adds a sense of luxury. |
|
Moving parts |
This includes any part of a challenge coin that can rotate, slide, dangle, or swivel. Moving parts turn challenge coins into a fun, interactive experience. |
|
Three-dimensional parts |
When something is 3D, it has depth, width, and height. In other words, it's not flat. Adding 3D elements to a challenge coin makes it more eye-catching. |
|
An edge design |
You can customise your challenge coin's edge with special patterns to make it stand out more. Think of it like a fancy border on a picture frame. These designs can range from subtle to flashy. |
|
Texture |
Textures are an excellent way to bring interest to your challenge coin. They come in many forms, such as crosshatching or sandblasting, and can be added to the coin's face or border. |
|
Cut-outs |
A cut-out is a design feature where parts of the challenge are removed to create negative space. It's often used to add depth or highlight certain elements of the coin's design. Some use cut-outs to create a bottle opener! |
|
Glow-in-the-dark colours |
Glow-in-the-dark colours do exactly what their name suggests: shine in the dark. They make your challenge coin more interesting and memorable, especially if awarded at night. To be clear, these colours can only be used to colour in parts of your coin, not cover the whole coin itself. |
Do you design the challenge coin yourself?
You can design your challenge coin, but you don't have to.
Most suppliers will design your coin for free. This is a win-win: you can explore different designs without worrying about costs, and suppliers get more business.
If you have a clear idea, go ahead and create your design yourself. You don’t need fancy software - some people draw their designs on paper and scan them in. Your supplier can then refine it and turn it into a high-quality coin.
But if you're not sure where to start, no worries. Just let the supplier's designer take the reins for you.
What do you need to give the supplier’s design team?
Absolutely nothing! A good challenge coin designer can create an amazing design from scratch.
However, it does help them if you have some ideas in mind or, failing that, a high-resolution version of your organisation's logo, plus samples of its colours. Here's an example of what you might send:
Where to find challenge coin design ideas?
Coming up with a design for your challenge coin can be a lot of fun. But if you're not the creative sort, or struggling to come up with ideas, then it's time to look for some inspiration elsewhere!
Here are some of the best places to find challenge coin design ideas for free:
- Brand style guide
A brand style guide is like a rulebook for how your organisation or event should look and feel.
It includes things like your logo, colours, fonts, and even the tone of your messages.
Your brand style guide is unique to your organisation, making it a great source of inspiration for your coin's design. Use it to decide your coin's colours, shape, or theme. For example, if your organisation values teamwork, you could design coins that fit together like puzzle pieces.
- Challenge coin suppliers
Suppliers are great sources of inspiration because they design thousands of challenge coins a year. Look at their social media pages and website to see what they've made in the past. For example, we at Badges And Medals have blog posts specifically about challenge coin design to inspire you:
- 'Top 11 Challenge Coin Design Ideas [With Examples]'
- 'Top 6 Most Popular Challenge Coin Edges'
- 'Top Firefighter Challenge Coin Designs, Ranked'
- 'Top Air Force Challenge Coin Designs, Ranked'
- 'Top Navy Challenge Coin Designs, Ranked'
- 'Top Army Challenge Coin Designs, Ranked'
- Social media
Platforms like Pinterest and Instagram are full of coin designs from all over the world. Search for #ChallengeCoin or terms related to your organisation, like #MilitaryCoins, then explore the images.
How do you order challenge coins?
Ordering challenge coins might sound tricky, but it’s pretty simple once you know what to do.
First, get in touch with a coin supplier. You can usually do this by filling out a form on their website or by sending them an email. Make sure to give them all the details about what you need, like how many challenge coins you want, any design ideas you have, and any special requirements.
After you contact the supplier, they will usually send you a quote. This is an estimate of how much the coins will cost. Take a look at it and ask any questions if you’re unsure about anything.
If the price looks good, the supplier will start working on a design for your challenge coins. You’ll get a chance to review the design and give feedback to make sure it’s exactly what you want.
Once you’re happy with the design, the supplier will place your order.
It's as simple as that!
But if you want to learn more, see: '4 Simple Steps To Ordering Challenge Coins'.
When should you order challenge coins?
You should contact your supplier about four to five weeks before you need them. If you need more than 5000 coins, add an extra week. This gives your supplier enough time to design, produce, and send your challenge coins. Plus, it includes a week's wiggle room in case there's a delay.
Honestly, though, there's no downside to ordering even earlier. Challenge coins don't go out of style like other custom items, such as wedding dresses, so if you have a design you love, go for it.
As mentioned earlier, ordering early can also save you money. Plus, it cuts down on stress and gives you a chance to order a sample coin from your supplier to make sure it meets your standards.
Is there an easy way to find the best date to order challenge coins?
To help you pinpoint the best time to order your challenge coins without any guesswork, we've developed a special calculator. Just enter your event date and it will quickly calculate an answer!
Do challenge coins come in boxes?
No, but they can.
Most challenge coins come in simple plastic sleeves or capsules. These protect the coins but aren't very special. If you want something fancier, ask your supplier to put your coins in velvet, vegan leather, or cardboard boxes. These add a luxurious touch and cost between US$6 and US$10.80 each if you buy ten. Velvet and vegan leather boxes are the more popular of the three, because they have a satin-lined lid and a velvet base, making your custom coins look fancy.
Some suppliers, like us at Badges And Medals, will let you customise your box for free to make your coin stand out. Most people use this service to add their logo to the top of the box.
For more information, read: 'How To Display Challenge Coins [Ranked]'.
Start your challenge coin journey today:
We’ve looked at the most common questions about challenge coins and given you clear and honest answers. Whether you were curious about their past, design possibilities, or placing an order, this article has provided the information you need to get started.
At Badges And Medals, we take pride in making the world of challenge coins accessible and exciting, even for those new to it. If there’s anything more you’d like to know or if you have a question we haven’t covered, we’re here to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us using this contact form.