Custom Government Challenge Coins

The fact that government employees are the primary recipients of challenge coins shouldn’t surprise anyone. The law enforcement officers who earn police challenge coins are all government employees. As are the soldiers who earn military challenge coins. But the truth is that those aren’t where the story of

government coins

ends. Even people at the highest reaches of government benefit from challenge coins. If you’re looking to reward your staff for a job well done, or celebrate a successful election campaign, we’ve more than got you covered.

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Government Challenge Coins

Custom Government Coins

Over the years, we’ve been fortunate enough to partner with a number of different agencies within the DOJ. The FBI challenge coins we’ve helped create are among some of our all-time favorites. Creating custom coins honoring the brave men and women who serve their country and their community is something we take very seriously. That’s why all of our challenge coins are made with the highest quality materials and in an industry-leading turnaround time.

Government Coin Gallery

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Challenge Coin Customer Reviews

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More Than Just DOD Challenge Coins

The U.S. Department of Defense oversees the entire military structure in the country. Meaning that all of the military challenge coins we create can be considered DOD challenge coins. But at the end of the day, the Department is made up of more than just the soldiers on the front lines, or the commanders training those soldiers. For the men and women who keep the DOD running smoothly, there are different challenge coin options. But there’s also more to government challenge coins than just DOD coins.

Presidential Challenge Coin

When looking at government coins, one easy place to start is at the top. Each sitting president since Clinton has had presidential challenge coins created. These coins are often distributed through a covert handshake, and within the government, receiving one is a high mark of honor. Part of the fun of these coins is that they aren’t reserved exclusively for government employees. Civilians being honored at the White House have also received coins from the commander in chief.

If you aren’t in a position to shake hands with the president, maybe a NASA challenge coin is more your speed. These coins are typically given to NASA scientists and employees working on some of the most advanced systems and experiments known to man. These coins aren’t as accessible to the public as other government coins might be, but they serve as constant reminders of what’s possible with hard work and dedication.

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In the end, there are far more opportunities for government challenge coins than we’ve laid out here. And part of the fun of working with so many different government agencies and individual customers is that we’ve grown to see the variety of different challenge coin designs. Just because all of the coins can be categorized under one umbrella doesn’t mean that all of the coins should be seen as the same.

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A government coin is every bit as likely to make use of an upgraded edge option like an oblique edge as any coin created by any of our other customers, or to choose a cut to shape design over a round one. Some of the common design elements we see spread across government agencies is the inclusion of agency seals as a focal point of one coin face.

The American flag also features prominently in most designs, but that’s the case for a number of challenge coins no matter who the customer is or what field they work in. To make these coins well and accurately the first time, our art department keeps the official seals and emblems for all government agencies on file for easy access.

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Federal Law Enforcement Challenge Coins

All federal law enforcement agencies are organized under the Department of Justice. Orders placed by the DOJ and the agencies organized within it tend to be backed by a stronger budget than those placed by small, local law enforcement offices, but the only real differences we see between these different law enforcement customers is the size of the order. A small local office is more likely to place orders for fewer coins than the DEA.

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Ordering higher quantities of coins means these customers get to take advantage of the unit price breaks in our coin pricing. A minimum order of coins is for 50, and from there, we offer price breaks at orders for 100, 300, 500 and 1,000 coins. While those are numbers that don’t really benefit a small team of 60 officers, it’s perfectly suitable for certain Secret Service field offices and coins being distributed to offices of ATF agents.

When you partner with Signature Coins to bring your challenge coin design to life, you benefit from our years of experience and expertise in the industry. Our artists are great at creating challenge coins based on little more than instructions written on the back of a cocktail napkin. However, you still know your team better than we ever could. Our art and production team can only take you so far; the crux of your challenge coin design still has to come from you.

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Over the years, we’ve been fortunate enough to partner with a number of different agencies within the DOJ. The FBI challenge coins we’ve helped create are among some of our all-time favorites. Creating custom coins honoring the brave men and women who serve their country and their community is something we take very seriously. That’s why all of our challenge coins are made with the highest quality materials and in an industry-leading turnaround time. Give us a call today to put our skills to work for you.

Ordering Government Challenge Coins From the Top Challenge Coin Company

Since the year 2000, Signature Coins has created custom coins for all kinds of government agencies. We’ve created coins for all occasions and seen just about every design you can imagine. And our efforts don’t stop at U.S. agencies. Allied governments around the world have all partnered with us in the creation of their custom challenge coins. If you’re ready to show your appreciation to the agents, staff members and constituents who help keep your government running and honest, contact us with your designs today.

Customers who submit a quote request are sure to receive their first free artwork proof in under 48 hours, and after that, every revision is completely free. You don’t pay for a thing until you’re certain the coin you’re looking at is the one you want created and delivered.

The men and women on your team work tirelessly to accomplish goals others aren’t capable of. Reward their hard work with exceptional quality and the best coins on the market.


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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" $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

Color on One Side
(Up to 7 Colors)

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

No Color!
(Metal Only)

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

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