Top Navy Challenge Coins, Ranked

You don’t appreciate the power of good design until you stumble across a challenge coin that doesn’t quite hit the mark. A well-designed coin captures attention and makes people feel proud. A poorly designed one? It just doesn’t resonate. That’s why finding the perfect inspiration is key.

At Badges And Medals, we’ve created countless Navy challenge coins and know what makes a design stand out. Our experience has taught us that top-performing designs can spark your inspiration and help you craft a coin that ticks all the boxes. In this post, we rank our favourite Navy challenge coins and explain why their design works. And don't worry about taking notes - we'll finish each section with a list of takeaways for you to consider.

Best Navy challenge coin designs:

5. The 'HMS Triumph' Coin (United Kingdom)

The 'HMS Triumph' coin is a brilliant example of great design.

First off, it uses colours and symbols we all know - a submarine and a Union Jack - so you instantly know it’s for the crew of a Royal Navy submarine. That’s the magic of great design: it tells a story immediately.

But there’s more to it. What makes this coin special is how it uses contrast. Here's what we mean by that. On one side, you’ve got an uncoloured image of a surfaced submarine. Flip it over, and you’re greeted with the vibrant colours of the Union Jack, set against a shade called 'Royal Navy' blue. This switch between coloured to uncoloured brings bright, modern elements together with classic, understated engraving. It makes the 'HMS Triumph' challenge coin a mix of past and present.

Creative takeaways:

• Use recognisable symbols and colours. This creates an immediate, personal connection with the challenge coin's recipients.
• Use colour strategically to draw attention or add impact.
• Blend modern and classic design elements. This can create a timeless piece that honours tradition while still feeling contemporary.

Made by: World Challenge Coins

4. The 'Oath Of Enlistment' Coin (United States)

What makes this coin special is the blank rectangle on the back.

What is it, you might ask?

Well, it's a spot where you can engrave the recipient’s name right into the United States Oath of Enlistment. Not many challenge coins offer this option. Engraving a person's name onto a challenge coin gives it a personal touch, turning it from a fun memento into a cherished keepsake.

Another impressive aspect is how the coin uses different border edges - something you might miss at first glance. One side has a rope edge, just like the United States Navy's logo, because ropes have always played an important role in sailing. But instead of using the same edge on the back, which you often see on Navy coins, the designers went with a cross-cut edge. This adds texture, inviting you to engage with the coin by sight and touch, while also stressing the seriousness of the Oath of Enlistment.

It also ensures each side is unique.

Creative takeaways:

• Don't forget about the coin edge!
• Play with different textures to make your design more dynamic.
• Adding people's names to a coin can make it more personal.

Made by: Challenge Coin Company

3. The 'Command Warrant Officer' Coin (Australia)

At first glance, this challenge coin might seem simple, but the beauty lies in its details. Take, for example, the cut-out in the centre. A cut-out involves removing parts of the challenge coin to create space, adding depth and making it more interesting to look at. This one highlights the red kangaroo in the middle, a symbol of the Royal Australian Navy.

By putting the kangaroo in the spotlight, the coin underscores its importance and reminds its owners of their time in the Australian Navy.

What makes it even more remarkable is the ability to personalise it. Like the 'Oath Of Enlistment' coin listed above, this challenge coin can be engraved with a person’s name, connecting the holder to their service.

Creative takeaways:

• Use cut-outs to make parts of your coin pop.

Made by: Badges And Medals

2. The 'TS Chatham' Coin (New Zealand)

Many Navy challenge coins feature a ship's crest on one side. But this challenge coin goes a step further by actually becoming a mini ship crest.

It pulls this off by changing its shape.

Instead of the usual round form of a challenge coin, this one is shaped like a Royal New Zealand Navy ship crest, complete with the crown on top. This makes the challenge coin much more memorable. After all, how often do you come across a challenge coin which looks like a miniature ship crest?

The beauty of this ship crest design is it's a win-win for everyone. Those who receive the coin get a memorable memento of their time with Training Ship (TS) Chatham. Meanwhile, its creators avoid the higher cost of making actual ship crests. This shows how good design benefits everyone.

What’s more, even though this challenge coin is a smaller version of a much larger ship crest, the details still hold. Just look at the fine texture of the crown and its "jewels". All in all, it’s a very impressive coin!

Creative takeaways:

• Think outside the box when it comes to design. Picking a unique shape, for example, can make your challenge coin more memorable.

Made by: Badges And Medals

1. The 'U.S. Navy' Coin (United States)

There are a few features that make this design pop.

First, it has an incredible amount of detail. The anchor in the centre has sharp lines and tiny pops of colour that give it a high-end, important look.

On top of that, just like the 'Command Warrant Officer' coin we showed you earlier, this coin has a cut-out, this time around the anchor. This makes the anchor stand out and adds depth, making the coin more impressive.

But what sets this coin apart is its versatility. Unlike the other challenge coins we've talked about, this one doesn't reference a specific date, person, or vessel. This means it can be given to anyone in the United States Navy for any reason, whether recognising time aboard a ship (like the 'TS Chatham' coin) or celebrating a milestone (like the 'Oath Of Enlistment' coin). This puts it at the top of our Navy challenge coin list.

Creative takeaways:

• Embrace the little details! Sharp lines and small areas of colour can make your challenge coin appear more luxurious and valuable.
• Consider a design that you can use time and time again.

Made by: Heywood

Create your own navy challenge coin:

So, you came here looking for inspiration to design a standout Navy challenge coin.

And guess what? We've got you covered.

We've taken the time to highlight some of our favourite Navy coins, breaking down exactly what makes them special.

Why? Because we want you to walk away with plenty of inspiration. With thousands of custom challenge coins under our belt, we at Badges And Medals understand how inspiration can help you design something great.

Now that you've got a clearer vision for your coin, it's time to take the next step.

Contact us to discuss your design and get a detailed quote. We're here to help you create the perfect custom challenge coin!