When people first think of challenge coins, they will most likely picture a set of medallion shaped coins. But the beautiful thing about custom coins is that you can customize the shape however you like.
take the form of anything and everything from company emblems and branded logos, to American states. If you can dream it up, our Signature Coins team can make it happen.
Round challenge coins are classics, but cut to shape challenge coins are the wave of the future. No two teams are the same, so why should any two challenge coins be the same? With our custom cut to shape option, you can create challenge coins as unique as the people receiving them.
Mad Dog 3D Bull challenge coin by Signature Coins
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.
Marine Corp red and the eagle and globe emblem are common sights on Marine challenge coins, but this one takes it all to the next level with the custom 3D edge cut in the shape of a dragon ouroboros.
This cut to shape coin for the North Dakota National Guard includes the sapper castle that's so common is Army challenge coins.
This high polish gold coin was created by the NYPD Computer Crime Squad. The high polish plating pairs nicely with the dark colorfill, and it works well on the back of the coin to create a design that looks just like real computer chip circuitry.
When the majority of your coin is taken up by enamel and recessed sandblasting, a high polish plating can really shine. The custom shape of this coin also goes a long way towards giving it a unique personality.
When the majority of your coin is taken up by enamel and recessed sandblasting, a high polish plating can really shine. The custom shape of this coin also goes a long way towards giving it a unique personality.
Custom shaped 501st coins aren't always in the shape of uniforms. This coin is shaped like an explosive device made popular by the Star Wars films. The bounty hunter on the back is presented in a sea of bright enamel colorfill areas.
The thin blue line of this coin is positioned like war paint over the face of the fearsome dog skull. It's a strong design choice for this K9 Unit coin from Montgomery.
The only thing this coin celebrating the Green Hornets is missing for the 3D propeller to be made into a functional spinner. Other than that, the copper plating does a great job of standing out against the soft enamel background.
Adding enamel on top of a 3D design isn't always an option. That's why this antique silver coin uses a 3D mold on the front, but is 2D on the back to make room for the colorfills.
Adding enamel on top of a 3D design isn't always an option. That's why this antique silver coin uses a 3D mold on the front, but is 2D on the back to make room for the colorfills.
This cut to shape challenge coin uses a 3D mold to add depth to certain areas of the coin as opposed to making the entire design 3D.
Handcuff shaped challenge coins are becoming steadily more popular with our law enforcement customers. This coin from Las Vegas includes a thin blue line on a stripe in the flag and a cut out for a functional bottle opener.
This cut to shape challenge coin uses a 3D mold to add depth to certain areas of the coin as opposed to making the entire design 3D.
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.
Out of all the design options we offer, creating a custom shape is one of the best ways to tell a story with your challenge coin artwork. The paw print shape and the K9 skull and cross bone emblem on the front of the coin create a unique tone that tells you a lot about the team these coins were designed for.
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.
This cut to shape coin from U.S. Borders and Customs accentuates the outline of a police badge by adding a functional bottle opener. The 3D mold of the eagle on top features a high level of detail, as well.
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.
The Sapper Castle is a common sight for Army challenge coins. Whether the entire coin is shaped like the castle or the castle is just featured on the coin somewhere, those red towers are immediately familiar. This cut to shape coin uses its space well to convey the purpose of the coin, the names of important recipients and important symbols and rank insignia.
Our most popular coin thickness is 3mm, but this coin from the Fire & Iron Motorcycle Club is 4mm thick. The added thickness allows for deeper impressions, giving the coin the look of depth you see around recessed text and the reaper's scythe blade.
The front of this antique silver, cut to shape coin makes use of a lot of color, and while it might look like there are more than seven colors used, if you look closely, you can see where a number of those colors are reused. Seven colors without an additional charge might not sound like much, but when you employ them this well, you can create a really impressive coin.
This cut to shape coin shows you how impressive a rope edge can be on a coin that isn't just round. The cut outs along the edge also give the coin a very unique look.
The front of this antique silver, cut to shape coin makes use of a lot of color, and while it might look like there are more than seven colors used, if you look closely, you can see where a number of those colors are reused. Seven colors without an additional charge might not sound like much, but when you employ them this well, you can create a really impressive coin.
This cut to shape coin shows you how impressive a rope edge can be on a coin that isn't just round. The cut outs along the edge also give the coin a very unique look.
This cut to shape coin showcases how deciding on a design can dictate many different aspects of your coin. While a lot of cut to shape coins take on specific and familiar shapes like shields or weapons, this coin decided that the crossed gavels and scrolls of text were good enough to serve as the entire shape of the coin.
This sea turtle's back flippers are actually functional bottle openers hidden in plain sight. In addition to this functional interactive upgrade, the coin also makes use of three different translucent enamel colors to create the unique effect of the shell and flippers. The enamel pairs with the antique silver plating to create subtler effect than you see with translucent enamel and high polish plating.
This shield-shaped coin from the Texas Highway Patrol proves the adage that everything's bigger in Texas. The large coin makes use of a large colorfill area, allowing the coin plating to add small accents to the design.
This cut to shape coin showcases how deciding on a design can dictate many different aspects of your coin. While a lot of cut to shape coins take on specific and familiar shapes like shields or weapons, this coin decided that the crossed gavels and scrolls of text were good enough to serve as the entire shape of the coin.
This custom shaped coin from the Cleburne Police department was created in preparation for the Texas Police Chiefs Association conference. The high polish gold plating shines bright through the sea of black enamel that covers the entire recessed portion of the design.
For this firefighter coin, big letters and recessed text with a dark enamel are the keys to keeping the words legible on the back. The front gives way to more images than text to tell its story.
This custom shaped coin from the Cleburne Police department was created in preparation for the Texas Police Chiefs Association conference. The high polish gold plating shines bright through the sea of black enamel that covers the entire recessed portion of the design.
In celebration of the 6th Generation Ford Bronco, we were commissioned to make custom serialized badges for Bronco Nation.
For this firefighter coin, big letters and recessed text with a dark enamel are the keys to keeping the words legible on the back. The front gives way to more images than text to tell its story.
This cut to shape challenge coin is designed to closely resemble a real law enforcement badge. The custom edge not only adds to the design, it also effects the way the coin feels in hand.
St. Florian is the patron saint of chimney sweeps and firefighters, and he shows up often on firefighter challenge coins. In this cut to shape coin, the Saint is presented in high polish silver set in a sea of red colorfill for contrast.
Custom sports flipping coins look different for every sport. Wrestling coins always have one red and one green side to determine home and away as well as starting position for competitors.
The most common shape for cut to shape firefighter challenge coins is the outline of the Florian cross. In addition, this coin for the Albemarle Fire and Rescue team uses strong primary colors to help its artwork stand out.
The combination of translucent red enamel and high polish gold plating makes this coin sparkle as if actual glitter were added to it.
The combination of translucent red enamel and high polish gold plating makes this coin sparkle as if actual glitter were added to it.
These dire wolf coins were inspired by the House Stark banner in Game of Thrones. The wolf’s sharp hackles and the 3D design give the coin a unique look and feel that’s impossible to recreate using a 2D design.
When creating a 3D design, there is limitless potential for the number of raised and recessed levels in the artwork. This Warhawk coin gains even more detail thanks to the natural shadows created by the carefully constructed 3D design and the addition of black enamel to contrast with the silver plating.
When it comes to challenge coin makers, you’ll be hard pressed to find a custom coin company with as much experience as Signature Coins. We’ve helped design thousands of military coins, corporate coins and every other kind of coin imaginable. People from all walks of life choose custom shaped challenge coins because they are perfect for making a design stand apart from the crowd and make a statement.
Coin designs that incorporate cut outs and custom shapes are some of the most memorable and meaningful coins we help create. A few examples of popular shapes are things like team emblems, police badges or company logos, but there are also plenty of designs inspired by the places a team works or the equipment they use. Some shapes are simpler than others, but every custom shaped challenge coin is made that way for a reason.
Many of the military challenge coins we help design take the shape of a unit’s emblem or insignia. While soldiers in every branch of service share the same values and goals, their unit emblems symbolize what makes them unique. Awarding challenge coins with meaningful shapes and imagery is a sure way to make an impact. The same goes for corporate coins designed to look like a company’s brand or non-profit challenge coins designed after the organization’s logo.
To accentuate challenge coin shapes, some of our customers choose to incorporate 3D artwork. Cut to Shape coins provide the highest level of depth and detail possible in custom coin design. While 2D challenge coins are better suited for adding intricate color schemes, mixing and matching different plating styles is a great way to change up the colors of a full 3D coin design. It’s also possible to have a design with both 3D and 2D elements, achieving the best of both worlds for your custom shaped challenge coins.
One of the major reasons customers choose to make a cut to shape challenge coin is because they need custom bottle openers or some other sort of functional coin. Bottle opener coins require either a cut out in the center of a design, or a bottle opener hook to be included along the edge of a coin. In either case, our clients come up with ideas for some unique bottle opener coins.
Multi tool challenge coins also require custom shapes and provide more functionality than just opening bottles. We have made screwdriver coins, socket wrench coins and multi tool coins that combine all of the functional options we offer.
Spinner challenge coins are another style of custom shaped coin that we offer. Custom challenge coins cost
anywhere from two to five dollars a piece depending on the size of an order, the size of the coins and the custom options added to the coin design. Spinner coins require more than one coin mold to produce, making them more expensive than your average challenge coin; however, the final result is something truly special.
All we need to get started on your custom coins are a few ideas. We encourage our customers to use our free custom challenge coin template to help give our art team a clear idea of what you’re looking for, however, we accept anything from a sketch on the back of a napkin to a bullet list of ideas.
Our Signature Coins team will ensure you don’t have to pay a dime until you’re completely satisfied with the design and ready to order. We also include free overnight shipping on every order and a 100% quality guarantee. If you’re ready to create your own challenge coin, fill out a free quote today and see what makes us the best free online coin designer available.
| 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
