It’s no secret that Signature Coins offers a wide variety of special customization options for your order of custom coins, but no unique option is more highly requested than the
option. The
can be subtle but distinct, and 3D coins are quickly becoming the most commonly requested challenge coins on the market.
We’ve made all kinds of beautiful 2D challenge coins, but if you’re looking for something that will push your design to the next level, 3D is the way to go. While writing down your ideas on our free quote form, be sure to let us know which parts of the design should be crafted in full 3D. You’ll quickly see how this one small change opens the door to a world of possibilities in design.
South New Jersey Regional Operations and Intelligence Center Coin front
Mad Dog 3D Bull challenge coin by Signature Coins
719th Wolfpack Challenge Coin front
Marine Riders challenge coin
Presented By Queen B Challenge Coin - Front
(VAQ-138), also known as the "Yellow Jackets", is an expeditionary EA-18G Growler squadron of the United States Navy based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. Their radio callsign is "RAMPAGE".
A lot of the military challenge coins we help design draw inspiration from warriors of ancient Greece. This 3D military coin is modeled after a spartan shield. Our artists worked hard to create authentic-looking dents, scrapes and chips in the design to give it a battle-proven look and feel.
South New Jersey Regional Operations and Intelligence Center Coin back
This 3D scorpion, with its scalloped tail, translucent red scales and protruding claws, shows just how creative our customers get when designing a custom edge for their challenge coins. The intricate caduceus over the translucent red Canadian maple leaf and the space for custom laser engravings on the back of the coin help this design make an even bigger impact.
Caroll County 911 Communications Challenge Coin Back
MFO Fixed Wing Aviation Unit
18th Air Support Operations Group - 3D - translucent - AS front
719th Wolfpack Challenge Coin Back
Presented By Queen B Challenge Coin - Back
White Construction Challenge Coins
18th Air Support Operations Group - 3D - translucent - AS back
This Desert Knights Army challenge coin makes great use of a 3D coin mold to get as much unique detail as possible. This 3D challenge coin even makes use of glow in the dark enamel for the knights eyes!
One of the most striking things about this Diabolis coin is how much detail was fit into the 3D coin mold of such a small coin. When looking, it can be hard to believe it's only 1.5".
Homeland Security Investigations Challenge Coin - Front
3D challenge coin
AGS ATC HQ Marines Challenge Coin
One of the most striking things about this Diabolis coin is how much detail was fit into the 3D coin mold of such a small coin. When looking, it can be hard to believe it's only 1.5".
Pastor Allen UGL Christian Challenge Coin front
3D challenge coin back
Curso De Buceo y Salvamento front
This E-CO2-10 AHB REGULATORS #Challengecoin is dual plated with black nickel as the base, and coated with high polish gold in the center. The gold can be seen through the translucent enamel and the stars of the american flag.
Combining black metal and gold metal in the same design creates a striking effect. Due to the difference in production for black metal and gold metal coins, combing these two plating styles will add to the production time of your order.
Ancient Order of Hibernians Challenge Coin back
This custom bottle opener coin was designed to look like the static line snap hooks used by paratroopers. Basing the design of a military coin off of the equipment that soldiers use every day is a great way to make a personal design that a team will always cherish.
This customs and border patrol challenge coin uses 3D design and high polish silver plating to create a striking design with the killer whale at the center.
This cut to shape Army challenge coin might not make use of many colors or upgrade options, but it's a great example of the way changing the shape of your coin creates a completely new effect.
USAFA Brooke Duckworth 3D front
Strategic Sealift Officers US Navy Challenge Coin Bottle Opener
3D challenge coins come in all kinds of different shapes and sizes. When it comes to military unit coins, some of the most popular things to include in 3D are the vehicles and equipment that soldiers are trained to operate like the helicopters and IAV Stryker in this design.
With highly detailed 3D artwork and a simple, single color green enamel colorfill area, this Critical Incident Team coin perfectly mixes classic design with innovative techniques.
Groveland K9 Challenge Coin
The incredibly detailed lion on the front of this coin was created using an intricate 2D mold. Black enamel was added to the recessed areas to increase contrast in the design, helping the facial features stand out. The back of the coin is an incredible example of how well antique gold and silver plating pair in the same design, especially when used to accentuate 3D artwork.
Raised text is a great option to help what you need to say jump off the coin face. This 3D challenge coin showcases how an otherwise simple design can be transformed into something special.
We've seen a lot of different versions of the Florian cross, but this Fire Chief's coin is one of our favorites. The cross is presented in full 3D gold metal and, instead of looking at cross head-on, the artwork uses forced perspective to put the cross at an angle.
The incredibly detailed lion on the front of this coin was created using an intricate 2D mold. Black enamel was added to the recessed areas to increase contrast in the design, helping the facial features stand out. The back of the coin is an incredible example of how well antique gold and silver plating pair in the same design, especially when used to accentuate 3D artwork.
The 3D mold for this California firefighters coin makes use of raised letting with recessed colorfill for a truly unique look and feel. The red and blue enamel also add a great contrast to the antique gold plating.
Combining black metal and gold metal in the same design creates a striking effect. Due to the difference in production for black metal and gold metal coins, combing these two plating styles will add to the production time of your order.
Santa Ana Police
The laurel wreath framing the entire edge of the front of this coin gives the coin a very unique look and feel. It only appears on the front, but when you look at the back, you can see how the shape affects the entire coin. Badge and shields are some of the most common custom shapes we see in challenge coins.
Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat Veritatem Cognoscere custom challenge coin
Creating a 3D challenge coin is one of the best ways to make larger than life artwork, and when you put a 3D design on an oversized 3" coin like this, you're sure to make a lasting impression.
A lot of the Navy challenge coins you'll find have a custom rope edge, but this 3D design kicks it up a notch by filling in the spaces between the rope edge with blue colorfill.
DEA Special Agent In Memory Challenge Coin back
The dog on the front of this coin was part of a police K9 unit. His team sent us a picture that we used to create a 3D design with realistic depth and detail.
The raised lettering and stars running around the outside of this 3D U.S. Customs and Border Protection challenge coin are an excellent example of how to improve a standard flat edge to something more unique.
This challenge coin features a depiction of the National War Memorial in Ottawa. It's a perfect example of just how detailed a 3D challenge coin can get.
Afrotc Detachment 105 Airforce Coin - 3D front
Los Angeles Intl Airport - Siemens - Translucent - AS - Rope Coin Front
British Indian Ocean Territory Police Challenge Coin 3D
Shaped like a used Spartan shield, this coin for O'Gara Training relies on its antique gold plating to carry the artwork. The nicks and dents in the shield are intended to look random, and add a lot of personality to the design.
Trade Transparency Unit Challenge Coin
Maropsgru 5 HQ Challenge Coin 3D Front
Rod and Gun Club Challenge Coin back
Spartans 3D Challenge Coin
Multinational Force and Observers Canadian Challenge Coin front
419 Tact FT SQN Dual Plated
Vanguard of Victory USS Normandy Navy Challenge Coin front
Hartsdale Pet Cemetary Rememberance Challenge Coin front
St Michael Challenge Coin
This law enforcement coin was ordered by the Delaware Probation and Parole office. The recessed portions of the police badge are sandblasted to help reduce the glare coming off the reflective silver metal.
Hartsdale Pet Cemetary Rememberance Challenge Coin back
Trap and Skeet Puck 3D front
Shooting club
FCPOA Navy challenge coin 3D front
We've helped create all kinds of special challenge coins for the Multinational Forces and Observers, and this bottle opener coin is definitely one of the most unique. The crossed guns emblem surrounded by 3D bullets is not something you'd forget.
3 Corps Drug Task Force
Bonefrog Legacy Group Challenge Coin front
Bonefrog Legacy Group Challenge Coin back
Fuerzas Militares de Colombia Challenge Coin Back
Newark Chief Pilot Office 3D Challenge Coin front
US Army Veterinary Corps Challenge Coin Front
Surrounding the 3D firefighter at the center of this design is a beautiful coating of red translucent enamel. The contrast provided by the dark blue and red colors also helps the high polish silver plating stand out in crisp detail.
92D Chemical Company - Front
117th Congress Army Challenge Coin - front
Afganistan 3D Challenge Coin front
Federal Aviation Administration Challenge Coin Front
Fresno California Police Challenge Coin Front
Fresno California Police Challenge Coin Back
Our 3D challenge coins are custom coins with one or both sides making use of our 3D customization option. A 2D challenge coin only features one “raised” and one “recessed” level, but a 3D coin makes use of a nearly infinite number of levels. While 2D challenge coins aren’t flat, the difference between the 2D and 3D options can be dramatic.
One thing that’s become clear here at Signature Coins over the last few years is that the demand for 3D challenge coins is steadily growing. Since 2017, over 10% of our orders have made use of a 3D mold, and that number continues increasing. The good news is that 3D challenge coins aren’t just being ordered by customers looking to push custom coin design in new directions. Some of the custom 3D designs we’ve created include:
This is just the tip of the iceberg of companies, units, military branches and law enforcement agencies making use of 3D molds. As more and more customers seek to set their coin designs apart from the rest, 3D challenge coins continue to be the preferred method for accomplishing that.
3D coins allow a greater amount of detail in certain designs. With multiple layers available, different shapes, physical textures and visual details stand out more clearly than they can on a 2D coin design. And with the 3D option, certain design elements such as landscapes can be produced with a higher level of fidelity to the original.
What you gain in these 3D designs, however, can sometimes be lost in color options available in your coin design. And considering the increased amount of materials that go into the creation of these custom challenge coins, the cost is also slightly increased. But what you get in return for that slightly increased cost is more than worth it as your custom coin will be able to stand out even more from the crowd.
Another consideration to keep in mind is that these coins will sometimes take a little more time to create than 2D challenge coins. 3D coins require a more elaborate mold, which can take longer to create and more time to perfect before coins go into full production. While many of the 3D challenge coins we help design go over our normal production window of 14 days or fewer, the slightly longer wait gives you a set of coins with an unrivaled amount of depth and detail.
Since the year 2000, our Signature Coins team has been developing custom coin designs for clients all over the world. In that time, we’ve been able to streamline the design process, and have even created a challenge coin design template that our customers can use to keep their ideas organized and ensure we can give you exactly what you want out of your perfect custom coin. Place an order with us today and see for yourself why 3D coins have become such a popular option with our customers.
We pride ourselves on being the premier free online coin designer, providing the best quality 3D challenge coins on the market. Our Signature Coins team knows you’ve got multiple options to choose from when ordering your custom coins. That’s why we go out of our way to provide the best custom options, 100% quality guarantee and free overnight shipping on all orders.
Couple this with our world-class customer service, and you’ll easily see why Signature Coins has consistently carried an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. If you’re ready to design your own coin, contact us and let one of our specialists get to work bringing your custom 3D coin design to life.
| Size | 50 | 100 | 300 | 500 | 1,000 | 2,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5" | $6.03 | $3.66 | $3.24 | $3.16 | $3.08 | $3.02 |
| 1.75" | $6.83 | $4.16 | $3.74 | $3.69 | $3.64 | $3.59 |
| 2" | $7.61 | $4.63 | $4.29 | $4.23 | $4.18 | $4.13 |
| 2.25" | $8.28 | $5.24 | $4.87 | $4.81 | $4.73 | $4.68 |
| 2.5" | $9.30 | $6.21 | $5.84 | $5.71 | $5.70 | $5.65 |
| 2.75" | $10.27 | $6.83 | $6.48 | $6.23 | $6.07 | $6.02 |
| 3" | $11.40 | $7.43 | $7.12 | $6.72 | $6.46 | $6.40 |
| 3.25" | $15.15 | $8.20 | $7.84 | $7.43 | $7.12 | $6.72 |
| 3.5" | $16.66 | $9.02 | $8.63 | $8.16 | $7.83 | $7.39 |
| 3.75" | $18.33 | $9.91 | $9.48 | $8.99 | $8.61 | $8.12 |
| 4" | $20.16 | $10.91 | $10.43 | $9.88 | $9.47 | $8.93 |
| Size | 50 | 100 | 300 | 500 | 1,000 | 2,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5" | $5.69 | $3.45 | $2.97 | $2.92 | $2.86 | $2.81 |
| 1.75" | $6.32 | $3.79 | $3.40 | $3.34 | $3.27 | $3.22 |
| 2" | $6.93 | $4.27 | $3.84 | $3.77 | $3.69 | $3.64 |
| 2.25" | $7.82 | $5.02 | $4.57 | $4.54 | $4.48 | $4.43 |
| 2.5" | $8.92 | $6.13 | $5.65 | $5.11 | $4.75 | $4.70 |
| 2.75" | $9.71 | $6.62 | $6.26 | $5.86 | $5.58 | $5.53 |
| 3" | $10.77 | $7.00 | $6.88 | $6.60 | $6.40 | $6.34 |
| 3.25" | $13.78 | $7.83 | $7.58 | $7.28 | $7.07 | $6.20 |
| 3.5" | $15.16 | $8.61 | $8.34 | $8.01 | $7.78 | $6.83 |
| 3.75" | $16.68 | $9.47 | $9.17 | $8.81 | $8.55 | $7.51 |
| 4" | $18.34 | $10.42 | $10.09 | $9.69 | $9.41 | $8.25 |
| Size | 50 | 100 | 300 | 500 | 1,000 | 2,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5" | $5.26 | $3.23 | $2.73 | $2.67 | $2.61 | $2.56 |
| 1.75" | $5.80 | $3.51 | $3.05 | $2.97 | $2.94 | $2.88 |
| 2" | $6.29 | $3.83 | $3.34 | $3.24 | $3.20 | $3.14 |
| 2.25" | $7.44 | $4.75 | $4.01 | $3.79 | $3.73 | $3.67 |
| 2.5" | $7.87 | $5.38 | $4.30 | $4.26 | $4.08 | $4.03 |
| 2.75" | $8.97 | $6.13 | $5.53 | $5.29 | $5.05 | $5.00 |
| 3" | $9.95 | $6.90 | $6.77 | $6.35 | $5.99 | $5.94 |
| 3.25" | $13.13 | $7.60 | $7.46 | $7.00 | $6.62 | $5.89 |
| 3.5" | $14.44 | $8.36 | $8.21 | $7.70 | $7.28 | $6.47 |
| 3.75" | $15.89 | $9.20 | $9.03 | $8.47 | $8.00 | $7.12 |
| 4" | $17.47 | $10.12 | $9.93 | $9.31 | $8.81 | $7.83 |
(on coins up to 2.5")
| Size | 1 Side | 2 Sides | Order 300+ Coins |
| 1.5" | $50.00 | $100.00 | FREE |
| 1.75" | $62.50 | $125.00 | FREE |
| 2" | $75.00 | $150.00 | FREE |
| 2.25" | $87.50 | $175.00 | FREE |
| 2.5" | $100.00 | $200.00 | FREE |
| 2.75" | $112.50 | $225.00 | - |
| 3" | $125.00 | $250.00 | - |
| Size | 1 Side | 2 Sides | Order 300+ Coins |
| 1.5" | $50.00 | $100.00 | FREE |
| 1.75" | $62.50 | $125.00 | FREE |
| 2" | $75.00 | $150.00 | FREE |
| 2.25" | $87.50 | $175.00 | FREE |
| 2.5" | $100.00 | $200.00 | FREE |
| 2.75" | $112.50 | $225.00 | - |
| 3" | $125.00 | $250.00 | - |
Choose the Edge Style that fits your needs
Select from a wide array of custom coin options
Interactive coins where part of the coin is designed to spin or rotate freely.
Not only can the outer shape of the coin be customized, but the interior areas can be “cut out” as well
3D coins have an unlimited number of sculpted levels. We can round edges and create smooth gradations.
The perfect option for anyone looking for trackable coins or just a fun way to make every coin a little more special.
Choosing from our selection of glow enamels ensures your design will continue to shine even when the lights go out.
Not only can you design the front and back of your coins, but the true edge can be engraved with messages as well.
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
