Custom fire department challenge coins are created with a specific team in mind. No two coins are ever the same, just as no two fire departments are the same. First responders around the world work tirelessly to save lives, preserve property and even put their own lives on the line to keep communities safe. Reward their commitment and courage with a high-quality
Firefighters and first responders work around the clock to preserve life and property, which is why so many choose to create custom coins that honor their courage and commitment. The firefighter coin designs we make are personal and meaningful and they become a symbol of the group’s identity.
This high polish gold coin from the Chevoit Fire and EMS team shows off a perfect use of 3D in a challenge coin. Using the 3D to capture the specifics of the firefighter's face would be hit or miss, but using it to present an obvious and touching scene is a sure thing.
This high polish gold coin from the Chevoit Fire and EMS team shows off a perfect use of 3D in a challenge coin. Using the 3D to capture the specifics of the firefighter's face would be hit or miss, but using it to present an obvious and touching scene is a sure thing.
The crossed axes set against the Florian cross make up the shape of these firefighter challenge coins. The customer even found space to include the classic thin red line that marks so many firefighter challenge coins.
HAZMAT teams have one of the most dangerous jobs in a firehouse, so its nice to see a team having fun with that concept. This coin for the San Diego Fire Rescue team recreates the HAZMAT patch on the back.
The crossed axes set against the Florian cross make up the shape of these firefighter challenge coins. The customer even found space to include the classic thin red line that marks so many firefighter challenge coins.
This FDNY challenge coin was created in honor and memory of 9/11. The 2D, soft enamel design is simple and understated because the message is more than enough to be conveyed with just a few colors and some striking artwork.
Not all firefighter coins are created for firefighters. Coins like this one are created for and given to the men and women who help firefighters handle the difficulties of their chosen profession. The high polish gold plating serves as nothing more than an accent to the red, black and orange design.
These Black Panther challenge coins were designed for the fire and EMS team who were working at Qayyarah Air Base during Operation Inherent Resolve. On the back, you can still see Black Panther riding on top of the fire truck.
These Black Panther challenge coins were designed for the fire and EMS team who were working at Qayyarah Air Base during Operation Inherent Resolve. On the back, you can still see Black Panther riding on top of the fire truck.
The seal at the center of this coin would often be created by offset printing, but the customer wanted it presented in normal soft enamel instead. The rope edge also could have used a dark enamel in the recesses to help it stand out, but the high polish gold plating is more than striking enough without it.
At first glance, you may think that this fire truck challenge coin is the same on both sides, but on closer inspection, you'll see the differences. The Middlebush Fire Department based this design off their real-life fire truck, and the design is as true to life as possible.
Firefighter challenge coins will often include a reference to the thin red line like this coin. Including a nod to the important equipment that firefighters use on the job, like the pick and ax in this design, is another design cue that will make a set of bottle opener coins more meaningful and memorable to a team.
This cut to shape challenge coin for the Egg Harbor City Fire Department draws on the crossed axe handles that are common in firefighter challenge coins. The rest of the design is given over to the antique gold plated design the creates the core of the coin.
Firefighter challenge coins will often include a reference to the thin red line like this coin. Including a nod to the important equipment that firefighters use on the job, like the pick and ax in this design, is another design cue that will make a set of bottle opener coins more meaningful and memorable to a team.
One of the best ways to ensure the text on your challenge coins is legible is to use enamel colors to add contrast between the letters and the background. The white and red colors and round the edge and black and white colors in the center of the design make reading the message on this coin quick and easy.
One of the best ways to ensure the text on your challenge coins is legible is to use enamel colors to add contrast between the letters and the background. The white and red colors and round the edge and black and white colors in the center of the design make reading the message on this coin quick and easy.
Miami Dade County Florda Firefighter 911 Coin front
Miami Dade County Florda Firefighter 911 Coin back
HAZMAT teams have one of the most dangerous jobs in a firehouse, so its nice to see a team having fun with that concept. This coin for the San Diego Fire Rescue team recreates the HAZMAT patch on the back.
The diamond plate pattern serving as the background of these firefighter coins changes the texture of the design. If you're looking for ways to make a design that looks and feels different than the rest, creating a unique background texture is a great place to start.
The diamond plate pattern serving as the background of these firefighter coins changes the texture of the design. If you're looking for ways to make a design that looks and feels different than the rest, creating a unique background texture is a great place to start.
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 antique plating on this coin help with the legibility of the text on the back. The front makes use of red colorfill and the Florian cross that are so common among firefighter coins.
The antique plating on this coin help with the legibility of the text on the back. The front makes use of red colorfill and the Florian cross that are so common among firefighter coins.
INTL association Firefighters Challenge Coin front
Faces are usually best created through offset printing, but when the image is more cartoonish in nature, 2D designs are more than suitable. This Canadian Fire and Rescue coin uses raised text in antique gold plating and complimentary enamel to bring its design to life.
The antique plating of this text-heavy challenge coin helps the text to be more clearly visible, but the introduction of the blue colorfill also does a lot to breakup the different sections of the coin.
Black, gold and red are common color combinations for firefighter challenge coins. This coin from the Zanesville Ohio Fire Dept also features the IAFF logo.
Black, gold and red are common color combinations for firefighter challenge coins. This coin from the Zanesville Ohio Fire Dept also features the IAFF logo.
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.
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.
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.
Whether it's the thine blue line of law enforcement or the thin red line of fire safety, included a single recessed colorfill area to create a thin line coin is simple. And while the flat weave edge is more commonly found in water-based challenge coins, it looks right at home here.
Whether it's the thine blue line of law enforcement or the thin red line of fire safety, included a single recessed colorfill area to create a thin line coin is simple. And while the flat weave edge is more commonly found in water-based challenge coins, it looks right at home here.
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 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.
Custom engraving isn't only for the creation of small sequential numbers. A deeper level of engraving can be paired with enamel colorfill to create coins where one section of each individual coin in a set needs to be different from the other coins.
Custom engraving isn't only for the creation of small sequential numbers. A deeper level of engraving can be paired with enamel colorfill to create coins where one section of each individual coin in a set needs to be different from the other coins.
This coin for the Gary Indiana Fire Department makes use of both raised and recessed and colorfilled text. This allows all of the text to stand out, but each word also gets to be distinct.
This coin for the Gary Indiana Fire Department makes use of both raised metal text and recessed colorfilled text. This allows all of the text to stand out, but each word also gets to be distinct.
This coin for Maytown Fire Department separated the rope edge from the rest of the coin by a small colorfill area. The deep black enamel also adds a lot of contrast to the high polish gold plating.
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.
The thin red line of this PTSD Firefighter coin is actually a thick red line. The inspiring message along the edge is presented in raised text to make sure it stands out perfectly against the black colorfill.
Dual plating is one of the best ways to create a striking design. This fire department coin combines antique copper and antique silver to great effect.
Badges are a more common sight on law enforcement challenge coins, but a coin for the Fire Chief is an easy exception to that particular rule.
Most of the firefighter coins we help design are made with gold or silver plating, making this black metal design something truly special. Using bring red and yellow enamel ensures that the design stands out against the dark metal.
A lot of the fire department challenge coins we help design include a reference to the Florian cross somewhere in the design. Including dancing flames inside the Florian cross on in this design was a great way to make the familiar design look fresh.
This coin from the South Bend firehouse has it's logo taking up the entirety of the back coin face and only uses two different color enamels for its design.
This coin from the South Bend firehouse has it's logo taking up the entirety of the back coin face and only uses two different color enamels for its design.
Estero Florida Firefighter Challenge Coin
Estero Florida Firefighter Challenge Coin
Gilmer Georgia Fire Rescue Front
Gilmer Georgia Fire Rescue Back
New Hanover County Fire Rescue
If you need custom coins for your department, you’ve come to the right place. The coin on the left is one of several we have created for the Cheviot Fire Department in Ohio. The department Chief has been sending us design ideas since 2012, and we have made custom coins celebrating the town's bicentennial, honoring firefighters in the department, and representing the big city spirit and small-town charm of Cheviot.
Departments all over the country partner with us to create custom coins for celebrations, for fundraising efforts and for recognizing the excellent service of their firefighters. This fire department challenge coin is beautifully crafted with high polish gold plating and carefully formed 3D design elements, and is the perfect example of our exceptional quality and artistic ability.
All of the artwork we produce is custom made from the ideas provided by our clients, making each coin one of a kind. If you have an idea for your own set of firefighter coins, give us a call today to get started.
Custom firefighter challenge coins honor courage and commitment and are used by all kinds of different teams across the world. We make coins that celebrate promotions and retirements, and others are carried as a source of courage with the fireman's prayer pressed into the metal. Some departments like to order bottle opener challenge coins so everyone is ready to pop a cold one after a shift together. No matter the purpose or style of a set of coins, firefighters are supposed to carry one custom coin from their department at all times.
They become something for everyone in the department to share. For rookies, firefighter coins are a great way of being introduced to the team. For veterans, they are a reminder of the years of service shared with others in the station. The firefighter coin designs we make are personal and meaningful and they become a symbol of the group’s identity.
Firefighter coin designs are unique to every department. Over the years we’ve been lucky enough to partner with some of the largest departments in the world like the New York City Fire Department, but our team helps all kinds of different fire departments across the country come up with the perfect coin designs. Some of the most popular inspirations for any fire station’s coins are department emblems, inspirational quotes and the famous Maltese cross.
Almost every fire department emblem across the country incorporates either the Maltese cross or Florian cross in the design. Both are historically significant symbols that are now associated with the important qualities of a first responder like resourcefulness, sympathy and perseverance among many others. Including something like your department’s emblem or Maltese cross on your custom challenge coins is one of the best ways to make the design more personal and meaningful.
No matter the case, the design is left up to you. Just let us know what you think will fit best, and we’ll make it happen. We take pride in our work and feel honored knowing that our coins are carried by courageous firefighters all over the world.
When you come to us to create your own challenge coin for the members of your station, you can expect to get your fire dept challenge coins custom made in three easy steps:
A follow-up: This is not a necessary step, but we would be very appreciative if you reviewed our work on Google and Facebook. We take great pride in our artwork and designs and hope that our customers do too. Show off a picture of your challenge coins on social media and review us to show your appreciation.
Custom firefighter coins are carried as a symbol of camaraderie and are awarded to the incredible men and women who are first to respond when disaster strikes. Whether you’re looking for the perfect HAZMAT challenge coin, wildland firefighter challenge coins or any other kind of firefighter coin, our Signature Coins team has everything you need to get started.
All of our products are backed with a 100% quality guarantee and come with an industry-leading turnaround time of 14 days or fewer. This combined with our free artwork and unlimited revisions makes Signature coins the premier challenge coin maker available online. If you have an idea for the perfect coin design, give us a call today, and see how we can help bring your vision 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
