Custom Texture, Weight and Edging
Sight, sound, smell, taste and touch are the senses that govern how we interact with the physical world, and they are working all the time whether we think about it or not. We form judgments and draw conclusions sometimes based on nothing but one of these senses at a time. Think about the last time you said something like this doesn't look right, or that doesn’t feel right.
Our experience has taught us that sight and touch are the most important senses when it comes to challenge coins (we assume no one is smelling or tasting our coins, but we could be wrong). Everyone wants to make sure that a custom coin looks good, but what about how it feels? Getting the feeling just right is a balancing act between things like texture, weight and edging, and finding the right combination will result in something truly special.
Read on to see how you can not only make a beautiful coin that looks just right but also feels just right.
Changing the Texture of Your Challenge Coins
Most of the challenge coins we make are either 2D or 3D in design. All 2D coins have a raised level and a recessed level. As you run your thumb over the coin face, you feel the raised lines of the artwork, the significant weight of the metal, and the smoothness of the enamel colorfill in the recessed portions of the design. 3D coins have the potential for an unlimited number of raised and recessed levels, rounded edges and lifelike artwork. For both 2D or 3D coins, there are ways to change the texture.
Take, for example, these US Navy ship coins that feature a diamond plate pattern on the recessed level that should look familiar to sailors or anyone who works with industrial equipment. We have the ability to make any kind of pattern you think will make your design extra special by adding an authentic feel for your team to experience.
Any textured pattern added to the recessed area of a coin is a part of the actual coin mold. While we often make familiar patterns like diamond plate, our art team is sometimes asked to create something more unique. The stippling pattern on these dual plated copper and nickel coins gives each one a distinctive look and feel. Each dot was carefully included in the mold and pressed into the coins with perfect precision.
Another option for changing the texture of a coin is choosing between different types of plating. A coin plated in one of our precious metals will feel slick, while a powder-coated coin, or one of our custom cerakote coins, has a rougher feel to it.
Powder-coating is the process of blasting a coin with polyester or epoxy powder and then heating it to seal a protective layer over the metal. This is how we make black metal, pink metal and all sorts of different colored metal coins. The end result is a coin that feels heavier and more textured than a smooth precious metal coin. Cerakote is another type of coating we add to coins that has a coarse, almost sandy, feel. It’s a popular finish applied to firearms because of its durability, corrosion resistance and heightened friction.
When it comes to adding color to a challenge coin, the enamel colorfills will also change the texture. We offer both soft and hard enamel. Soft enamel colorfills are added to the recessed portions of a coin face. When you hold a soft enamel challenge coin, you will mostly feel the raised lines in the artwork needed to stop the colors from bleeding together.
The difference with a hard enamel challenge coin is that each colorfill area is filled to an even level with the metal mold and then polished to have a smooth finish. This means that instead of feeling the metal mold lines of a design, the surface will be smooth to the touch. Take a look at the comparison below to see the difference.
Adding an epoxy coating is another way to completely change the way a coin feels. At first glance, a coin like this looks like any other 2D challenge coin, but it feels completely different. The coating is clear as glass so you can still see all of the molded artwork, but when you run a finger across the face of the coin all you feel is a clean, cool layer of epoxy. In a way, it is almost an absence of texture, which is exactly what some coins need to create something truly special.
Making Sure Your Coins Have a Significant Weight
The last thing you want is for a challenge coin to feel cheap. There are options for making cheap aluminum coins (think Mardi Gras doubloons or fake pirate treasure) that are incredibly strong but extremely lightweight. From a practical sense, aluminum is a great choice because of its malleability, dexterity and inexpensive price point. The problem is the way it feels and even the way they sound when dropped on a table or bar top.
We use denser metals like zinc, steel and brass to create our custom coins, all of which have a satisfying weight to them. There are slight variations in each material, and the final weight of your coins will depend on size as well as material. The average size of our coins is 3 mm thick at 1.75” in diameter, and each one weighs about 1.4 oz.
Making coins from brass will result in the heaviest feel, and if you choose to upgrade from a 3 mm coin to a 4 mm coin, the overall weight will increase by about 33%. Thicker coins have a distinctive feel to them. The extra weight makes them feel strong and durable and adds to their perceived value.
Hand Cut Edging
There are two main styles of custom edges: molded edges and hand-cut edges. Just like it sounds, a molded edge is a part of the coin mold and is actually pressed into the coin face as a decorative border around the rim of a design. We offer several different versions of molded edges, and our artists can also create a brand new design from scratch.
A hand cut edge is not a part of a mold. Once a set of coins are struck, the edging needs to be machined. These types of edges can be simple weave patterns, complex cross-cut patterns or anything in between. A molded edge will change the aesthetic of your coin, but not necessarily change the feel. What makes hand-cut edges so unique is that they alter how you interact with a coin.
Oblique line edges and cross-cut edges are especially noteworthy. You can feel the intricate grooves where the blade sliced through the metal, giving it an almost sharp texture. You instinctively want to handle them with care. On the other hand, the easy rise and fall of a flat weave edge makes a 2D design feel layered almost like a 3D design. The crest of each weave flows down and then back up in a rhythmic way, making the coin fun to roll in your hand.
Another option is a reeded edge reminiscent of United States currency. The last few options are hand cut around the border edge of a coin, but a reeded edge is cut into the true edge of a coin. Instead of a smooth edge, the flat surface is cut into an authentic reed pattern similar to the small teeth of a metal gear. Edges like these add to the character of a design in different ways. Not only do they alter the look of your coin, but they also change the feel of them in hand.
First Impressions Mean Everything
While the methods for presenting challenge coins vary between groups, they are traditionally passed to someone through a firm handshake. In these instances, impressions about the coin are formed before you ever have a chance to see what the coin looks like. While it’s important to make a design with aesthetic appeal, it's just as important for it to feel right.In today's digital world, a physical gift like a challenge coin carries so much weight (emotionally and physically). Anyone can send an email or say a quick thank you in passing. With custom coins, you can see the time and effort that goes into crafting them. Complex designs take thoughtful consideration and careful execution. They aren't a passive gift. They are meaningful and personal. Even the way they feel can change how a person interacts with them and experiences the design. When you start crafting your next challenge coin order, remember to consider how the coin will feel as well as how the design will look!
