Custom 3D Challenge Coins

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

3D challenge coin

option. The

 differences between 2D and 3D coins

 can be subtle but distinct, and 3D coins are quickly becoming the most commonly requested challenge coins on the market.

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Custom 3D Challenge Coin

Custom 3D Challenge Coins

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.

Custom 3D Challenge Coin Gallery

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Challenge Coin Customer Reviews

Extremely Impressive / best Customer Service!!!

trustpilot-stars

I have rarely worked with a company that was so willing and able to go above and beyond to provide a product - they worked with me through changes and last minute requests - and did it all with a willing, can do, happy attitude. Once of the best companies I have ever done business with. Additionally, EXCELLENT product. The coin was exactly as ordered, quality product, impressive!!

Linda P.

Date of experience: February 28, 2023

Great Job Signature Coins!!!

trustpilot-stars

I can't thank you all enough for doing such a great job on our challenge coins! They are perfect! The delivery was here on time…I know I will be ordering many more from Signature Coins! I can't thank you enough for the outstanding job and in such a hurry! You guys are amazing!!! 😊 Lori

Lori C.

Date of experience: January 23, 2023

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3D Challenge Coins are Quickly Becoming Standard Issue

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.

Raised Surfaces Rise in Popularity

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.

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Factors to Consider When Designing a 3D Challenge Coin

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.

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What to Expect Working With the Best Custom Coin Maker on the Market

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.


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Download Our Design Template

Custom Challenge Coin Pricing

Color on Both Sides
(Up to 7 Colors per Side)

Size 50 100 300 500 1,000 2,000
1.5" $5.58 $3.39 $3.00 $2.93 $2.85 $2.80
1.75" $6.32 $3.85 $3.46 $3.42 $3.37 $3.32
2" $7.05 $4.29 $3.97 $3.92 $3.87 $3.82
2.25" $7.67 $4.85 $4.51 $4.45 $4.38 $4.33
2.5" $8.61 $5.75 $5.41 $5.29 $5.28 $5.23
2.75" $9.51 $6.32 $6.00 $5.77 $5.62 $5.57
3" $10.56 $6.88 $6.59 $6.22 $5.98 $5.93
3.25" $14.03 $7.59 $7.26 $6.88 $6.59 $6.22
3.5" $15.43 $8.35 $7.99 $7.56 $7.25 $6.84
3.75" $16.97 $9.18 $8.78 $8.32 $7.97 $7.52
4" $18.67 $10.10 $9.66 $9.15 $8.77 $8.27

Color on One Side
(Up to 7 Colors)

Size 50 100 300 500 1,000 2,000
1.5" $5.27 $3.19 $2.75 $2.70 $2.65 $2.60
1.75" $5.85 $3.51 $3.15 $3.09 $3.03 $2.98
2" $6.42 $3.95 $3.56 $3.49 $3.42 $3.37
2.25" $7.24 $4.65 $4.23 $4.20 $4.15 $4.10
2.5" $8.26 $5.68 $5.23 $4.73 $4.40 $4.35
2.75" $8.99 $6.13 $5.80 $5.43 $5.17 $5.12
3" $9.97 $6.48 $6.37 $6.11 $5.93 $5.87
3.25" $12.76 $7.25 $7.02 $6.74 $6.55 $5.74
3.5" $14.04 $7.97 $7.72 $7.42 $7.20 $6.32
3.75" $15.44 $8.77 $8.49 $8.16 $7.92 $6.95
4" $16.98 $9.65 $9.34 $8.97 $8.71 $7.64

No Color!
(Metal Only)

Size 50 100 300 500 1,000 2,000
1.5" $4.87 $2.99 $2.53 $2.47 $2.42 $2.37
1.75" $5.37 $3.25 $2.82 $2.75 $2.72 $2.67
2" $5.82 $3.55 $3.09 $3.00 $2.96 $2.91
2.25" $6.89 $4.40 $3.71 $3.51 $3.45 $3.40
2.5" $7.29 $4.98 $3.98 $3.94 $3.78 $3.73
2.75" $8.31 $5.68 $5.12 $4.90 $4.68 $4.63
3" $9.21 $6.39 $6.27 $5.88 $5.55 $5.50
3.25" $12.16 $7.04 $6.91 $6.48 $6.13 $5.45
3.5" $13.37 $7.74 $7.60 $7.13 $6.74 $5.99
3.75" $14.71 $8.52 $8.36 $7.84 $7.41 $6.59
4" $16.18 $9.37 $9.19 $8.62 $8.16 $7.25

Mold Setup Fees

Molds are FREE on all orders over 300 pieces

(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 -

Custom Challenge Coin Edge Options

Choose the Edge Style that fits your needs

Standard Flat Edge

Standard Flat Edge

Rope Edge

Rope Edge

Spur Edge

Spur Edge

Flat Weave Bevel Edge

Flat Weave Bevel Edge

Oblique Edge

Oblique Edge

Cross Cut Edge

Cross Cut Edge

Challenge Coin Plating Options

Antique Gold

Antique Gold

Antique Silver

Antique Silver

Antique Copper

Antique Copper

High Polish Gold

High Polish Gold

High Polish Silver

High Polish Silver

Dual-Plating

Dual-Plating

Additional Challenge Coin Options

Select from a wide array of custom coin options

Spinner Challenge Coins

Interactive coins where part of the coin is designed to spin or rotate freely.

Cutouts

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

3D Challenge Coins

3D coins have an unlimited number of sculpted levels. We can round edges and create smooth gradations.

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Sequential Numbering

The perfect option for anyone looking for trackable coins or just a fun way to make every coin a little more special.

Glow in the Dark

Choosing from our selection of glow enamels ensures your design will continue to shine even when the lights go out.

Edge-engraving

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.

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