Top Firefighter Challenge Coin Designs, Ranked

Designing a firefighter challenge coin is one of those tasks that sounds easy until you try to do it.

Should you include your brigade's logo or slogan? Personalise each coin for each firefighter?

What about adding fun features, such as an eye-catching edge?

At Badges And Medals, we know these questions well.

We've designed and made hundreds of firefighter coins, so we understand the pressure to create something special.

That's why we've put together this ranked list of our favourite firefighter challenge coins.

Each coin has been selected for its exceptional design, craftsmanship, and symbolic value.

Whether you're looking for inspiration for your designs or simply want to appreciate the best in the field, these coins will provide you with the motivation you need!

Best firefighter challenge coins:

5. The 'Auckland Fire Brigade Museum' Coin (New Zealand)

Coming in at number five is the Auckland Fire Brigade Museum coin.

At the heart of its design is the New Zealand Fire Service badge, which any Kiwi firefighter will instantly recognise. This badge, with its eight points, symbolises their eight core values. Adding the badge to the coin creates an immediate, personal connection with Auckland's firefighters. The coin's colour scheme further enhances this connection.

Both colours represent the elements a firefighter works with: the red stands for fire, while the blue symbolises water. These colours are also used worldwide to represent emergency services.

One of the most unique features of the Auckland Fire Brigade Museum Coin is its cross-cut edge. This creates a diamond pattern around the coin, which not only looks sophisticated but also catches the light in fascinating ways, ensuring it stands out in any collection. The edge also adds a tactile element, meaning people can interact with it through sight and touch. This makes it a standout piece among firefighter coins.

Creative takeaways:

• Texture makes your coin more interactive and enhances your design.
• Don't forget about the coin edge! Most people forget these can be customised.  

Made by: Badges And Medals

4. The 'Maltese Cross' Coin (USA)

What sets this challenge coin apart is its unique shape.

Unlike traditional round challenge coins, this one is shaped like a Maltese Cross, a symbol used by fire brigades worldwide. For firefighters, the Maltese Cross represents courage, dedication, and the willingness to put others' safety before their own.

While custom challenge coin shapes are not entirely new, this one is impressive. It deepens the connection between the coin and its owner, making it meaningful and hard to forget.

Adding to its appeal is the design work in each leg of the cross. Instead of leaving these sections blank, the designer fills them with features like the United States flag. This smart use of space ensures that every part of the coin tells a story and draws your eye around it.

If that wasn't enough, the coin's design is extremely versatile. It doesn't reference a specific date, person or brigade, allowing it to be given to anyone for any reason, whether it's to recognise acts of heroism or celebrate a milestone. This mix of uniqueness and flexibility makes it a top contender among challenge coin designs.

Creative takeaways:

• Look for unique ways to stand out. Incorporating unique design techniques, such as a unique coin shape, can make your challenge coin more memorable.
• Consider a design that you can use time and time again.

Made by: GS-JJ

3. The 'NPWS Canadian Deployment' Coin (Australia)

One glance at this coin and you know what it's about.

The inclusion of the Australian and Canadian flags, set against a backdrop of flames, tells the story of how firefighters worked together to battle massive wildfires in 2023. What makes this coin particularly interesting is its use of colour to convey meaning. The bright red and blue of the flags stand out against the silver background, making them immediately recognisable.

The flames surrounding the flags represent the intense conditions these firefighters faced together. This adds depth and context to the design.

On the reverse side is the New South Wales National Parks And Wildlife Service logo. This tells you where the Australian firefighters came from.

Creative takeaways:

• Tell a story. Designing your challenge to tell a story makes it more interesting and creates a stronger connection with recipients.
• Use recognisable symbols and colours. This creates an immediate, personal connection with the challenge coin's recipients.

Made by: Badges And Medals

2. The '9/11 Firefighter Memorial' Coin (USA)

While there are several 9/11 memorial coins out there, this is one of the few that pays tribute to the firefighters who responded to the attacks in New York City. The coin's design is quite detailed, capturing an important moment in history with great care. Every part, from the rescue dog to the firefighter with their shovel, has been chosen to reflect the serious nature of the event it commemorates. The image shows the hard work of the fire responders who not only fought fires but also searched for survivors in the wreckage.

This side of the coin is left without colour, which adds a solemn and respectful tone, and lets the design speak for itself. This is in contrast to the flag on the reverse. The colour adds 'life' to the flag, representing the enduring spirit of the American people.

Creative takeaways:

• Use colour strategically to draw attention or add impact.

Made by: 9/11 Memorial And Museum

1. The 'Fallen Firefighter' Coin (USA)

The Fallen Firefighter coin is, in our opinion, the best-designed firefighter challenge coin.

At first glance, it immediately captures the life-and-death risks firefighters face daily. But the longer you look, the more you see. Unlike many challenge coins, which keep one side simple and one side detailed, this coin packs a complex design on both sides. This approach not only makes the coin feel more impressive and valuable but also allows it to convey a deeper, more nuanced story.

On one side, a firefighter stands before a wall of flames, under the words, 'Last Alarm,' reminding us of their final call to duty. The other side shows a firefighter's gear - an image often seen in real life to honour fallen firefighters. Both sides drive home the coin's purpose as a tribute.

Even with all these details, the coin doesn’t look too busy. Colours are used to break up the design, making different parts stand out and improving the overall appearance. In short, this coin demonstrates how powerful and emotional a well-designed coin can be.

Creative takeaways:

• Aim for balance. Make your design detailed, yet understandable.
• Tell a different story on each side of the coin.

Made by: Armor Coin and Emblem

What do these designs cost?

You came here to find inspiration for designing a standout firefighter challenge coin, and we at Badges And Medals have delivered it. By sharing what our favourite firefighter coins are and why, we've given you a heap of ideas to consider for your project.

We know what makes a good design having designed thousands of custom challenge coins in the last 50 years, including countless firefighter coins.

Now that you have a clearer idea of how you want your coin to look, it's time to take the next step. Learn what each design feature costs in our article, ‘How Much Do Custom Challenge Coins Cost?’