Every military challenge coin tells a different story. Some are designed to celebrate the camaraderie shared by a unit of soldiers, while others are earned through sacrifice and courage in the line of duty. No matter the case, soldiers carry the
custom coins
they earn as a symbol of identity, a source of inspiration and a mark of honor.
There’s nothing quite like the classics, and in challenge coins, military is where it all got started. Today, challenge coins have spread out to just about every profession imaginable, but nothing tops the coins created for the brave men and women who started it all.
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.
Military Challenge Coin
USCG Bertholf
Not only is this an oversized coin, it's also a coin with a unique texture thanks to the diamond plate pattern serving as the base of the artwork. It's important to create a design that looks good, but changing the way a coin feels is also under your control when designing a custom coin.
Military Challenge Coin
Chief Petty Officer Challenge Coin
Chief Petty Officer coins are some of the most exciting and elaborate challenge coins you'll see. This design is dual plated in antique gold and silver, and the more you look at the design, the small details you'll find. The 3D capitol building and the small Chief Petty Officer anchor on the goat's hat are our two favorite elements in the design.
Military Challenge Coin
694 Intelligence Support Squadron
A lot of the military challenge coins we help design draw inspiration from warriors of ancient Greece. This 3D military coin is modeled after a spartan shield. Our artists worked hard to create authentic-looking dents, scrapes and chips in the design to give it a battle-proven look and feel.
Military Challenge Coin
Living the Dream
This antique gold coin for an Air Force base in Bahrain shows both the U.S. and Bahrain flags surrounded by a common saying heard around the base.
Military Challenge Coin
Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Coin
This Chief Master Sergeant coin is presented for excellence on the job. The 3D designed jet presented in antique silver plating stands out well against the red, white and blue soft enamel.
Military Challenge Coin
Marine Security Guard Detachment Vietnam
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.
Military Challenge Coin
U.S. Coast Guard Gunner's Mate
Sometimes a limited number of cut outs is better for enhancing your design. This Coast Guard coin only has two cut outs, but their effect on the coin are undeniable.
Military Challenge Coin
Chief Petty Officer Challenge Coin
Chief Petty Officer coins are some of the most exciting and elaborate challenge coins you'll see. This design is dual plated in antique gold and silver, and the more you look at the design, the small details you'll find. The 3D capitol building and the small Chief Petty Officer anchor on the goat's hat are our two favorite elements in the design.
Military Challenge Coin
United States Army Special Forces Command - Front
As the largest military base in the United States, Fort Bragg has a huge demand for custom coins. These Fort Bragg challenge coins were created for the United States Army Special Forces Command, and we've created different designs for teams spread across the entire base.
Military Challenge Coin
N.D. National Guard
This cut to shape coin for the North Dakota National Guard includes the sapper castle that's so common is Army challenge coins.
Military Challenge Coin
380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron
For this high polish silver challenge coin, the recessed sandblasting is crucial to keeping the design visible. The engraved sequential numbering also goes a long way towards making each coin unique.
Military Challenge Coin
MCAS Iwakuni Marine Coin
Most of the Marine Corps challenge coins you see have the motto Semper Fidelis inscribed somewhere in the design. This coin opts for a different Latin phrase, Mori Quam Foedari, which translates to "death rather than disgrace."
Military Challenge Coin
U.S. Coast Guard Gunner's Mate
Sometimes a limited number of cut outs is better for enhancing your design. This Coast Guard coin only has two cut outs, but their effect on the coin are undeniable.
Military Challenge Coin
Newport USN Officer Candidate School 3D
The 3D design on the front and back of this Navy coin creates a striking design. The skull has incredible detail and the eagle and anchor design show just how effective dual plating can be when differentiating certain parts of a design.
Military Challenge Coin
Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum - Front
Where other coins use different shades of the same color to add detail and contrast to their designs, this coin uses the same shade of blue in each colorfill area. The brush strokes on the 3D portrait on the front coin face give the appearance of pencil marks in a sketch.
Military Challenge Coin
Navy SEAL Challenge Coin
Slightly darker than antique silver, antique nickel coins most closely resemble gunmetal grey. The plating adds a sense of strength and durability to the coins.
Military Challenge Coin
379 AEW Det 1
One splash of color on a coin with just its plating can be highly eye-catching. The red star on this coin marks the location of the military base the coins were created for.
Military Challenge Coin
380 USAF Civil Engineer
For this high polish silver challenge coin, the recessed sandblasting is crucial to keeping the design visible. The engraved sequential numbering also goes a long way towards making each coin unique.
Military Challenge Coin
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
ROTC and JROTC coins are popular and are often created without any colorfill. This copper coin out of Alaska shows just how impressive these coins are capable of being. And at 1.5", the level of detail in the small space is truly amazing.
Military Challenge Coin
U.S. Coast Guard Station Erie Coin
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.
Military Challenge Coin
Newport USN Officer Candidate School 3D
The 3D design on the front and back of this Navy coin creates a striking design. The skull has incredible detail and the eagle and anchor design show just how effective dual plating can be when differentiating certain parts of a design.
Military Challenge Coin
Honoring Those That Served
This challenge coin features a depiction of the National War Memorial in Ottawa. It's a perfect example of just how detailed a 3D challenge coin can get.
Military Challenge Coin
386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron
The names of specific military missions are common on military challenge coins. This antique gold plated coin for an air base in Kuwait is no exception.
Military Challenge Coin
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
ROTC and JROTC coins are popular and are often created without any colorfill. This copper coin out of Alaska shows just how impressive these coins are capable of being. And at 1.5", the level of detail in the small space is truly amazing.
Military Challenge Coin
U.S. Coast Guard Station Erie Coin
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.
Military Challenge Coin
Mustang Submarine Ordinance Navy Challenge Coin
We've seen all kinds of unique challenge coins over the years, and this Navy Mustangs coin is one of our favorites. Basing the design off Michaelangelo from Ninja Turtles is a sure way to get a laugh, and the incredible amount of detail will inspire people to examine every inch of the coins.
Military Challenge Coin
USAF Veteran Challenge Coin
The high polish silver plating and blue colorfill of this coin pair beautifully. Text on high polish coin designs can be hard to read because of the glare, however, the text in this design is colorfilled to add contrast and make the message clearly legible.
Military Challenge Coin
386 ESFS K9 Coin
This cut to shape coin for a K9 unit overseas uses the front coin face to present a fearsome image while the back of the coin is dedicated to the recessed text needed to explain the coin's purpose.
Military Challenge Coin
3rd Battalion Marines Coin
Antique nickel plating gives this coin a special and unique coloring. Reminiscent of gunmetal, the plating allows each of the colors to shine while also being more reflective than typical antique platings and less reflective than high polish plating.
Military Challenge Coin
U.S. Coast Guard Coin
A rope edge is a common sight on Navy and coast guard coins. When the rope edge for your coin doesn't go all the way to the edge, you get the ability to add detail and contrast to the design via colorfill.
Military Challenge Coin
Capt Carl J Stokes USN-front
This high polish silver coin from the U.S. Navy is a tale of two worlds. The front of the coin is elegant in its simplicity, while the back presents a collection of vibrant color most often found on a paint canvas. The sunset scene is presented in bright colors and translucent enamel to best complete the effect.
Military Challenge Coin
Air Force Chaplain Corps Coin
It's not often that Air Force challenge coins make use of high polish plating, but when they do, they use it to maximum effect. This silver coin is dominated by colorfill areas, allowing the shine of the plating to work as an accent to the design.
Military Challenge Coin
6th Squadron 1st Cavalry
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.
Military Challenge Coin
3rd Battalion Marines Coin
Antique nickel plating gives this coin a special and unique coloring. Reminiscent of gunmetal, the plating allows each of the colors to shine while also being more reflective than typical antique platings and less reflective than high polish plating.
Military Challenge Coin
Capt Carl J Stokes USN-back
This high polish silver coin from the U.S. Navy is a tale of two worlds. The front of the coin is elegant in its simplicity, while the back presents a collection of vibrant color most often found on a paint canvas. The sunset scene is presented in bright colors and translucent enamel to best complete the effect.
Military Challenge Coin
U.S. Coast Guard Gunner's Mate
Sometimes a limited number of cut outs is better for enhancing your design. This Coast Guard coin only has two cut outs, but their effect on the coin are undeniable.
Military Challenge Coin
Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune
The rope edge of this U.S. Navy coin had texture added to it by the recessed sandblasting within it. The result is a coin with a very unique look and feel. The high polish gold plating is also complimented by the dark enamel.
Military Challenge Coin
Q-West Iraq Challenge Coin
Creating a shield-shaped challenge coins design is a great way to break from tradition and make something that stands out from the crowd. These Army coins include different team logos and emblems in a way that's almost reminiscent of an ancient coat of arms.
Military Challenge Coin
Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune
The rope edge of this U.S. Navy coin had texture added to it by the recessed sandblasting within it. The result is a coin with a very unique look and feel. The high polish gold plating is also complimented by the dark enamel.
Military Challenge Coin
89th Maintenance Unit Executive Flying Crew Chiefs - Front
These challenge coins were created in honor of the 89th Maintenance Group who is responsible for the aircraft carrying the Vice President of the United States. The 3D crossed wrenches frame the different seals on the front of the coin, and the space for sequential numbering on the back ensures every coin is unique.
Military Challenge Coin
Detachment Three Samurai
3D challenge coins are not the only ones capable of exceptional detail. The design of the samurai mask and the detailing around it add a unique look and feel to this high polish gold coin.
Military Challenge Coin
89th Maintenance Unit Executive Flying Crew Chiefs - Back
These challenge coins were created in honor of the 89th Maintenance Group who is responsible for the aircraft carrying the Vice President of the United States. The 3D crossed wrenches frame the different seals on the front of the coin, and the space for sequential numbering on the back ensures every coin is unique.
Military Challenge Coin
741st MI Batallion
This dual plated, 3D molded challenge coin also makes use of cut outs to better help the most important aspect of the design stand apart from the rest of the coin. The raised text and oblique cut edge are also nice touches.
Military Challenge Coin
Hong Kong Lotus
The Great Seal of the United States is a common design on challenge coins. This coin out of a base in Hong Kong uses antique silver plating and a simple red and black colorfill to create a great look at the Hong Kong skyline.
Military Challenge Coin
Honor Flight
The high polish gold plating of these honor flight challenge coins takes a backseat to the colorful emblem design. Using color to add contrast is a great way to help metal text stand out in beautiful detail.
Military Challenge Coin
Navy Chief Marine Ssgt
Dual plating your coin is another way to add two colors without having to rely on enamel. This U.S. Marines coin is plated in both gold and silver, and makes use of a beveled edge for a unique feel.
Military Challenge Coin
U.S. Navy Reserve
The rope edge of this U.S. Navy coin is raised as opposed to recessed, and it's pushed to the very edge of the coin. That means the design of the edge can't be enhanced with colorfill or sandblasting, but the high polish gold plating does enough to help everything stand out.
Military Challenge Coin
Honor Flight
Many of the honor flight challenge coins we help design include the same logo while still having their own unique sense of character. The P-51 Mustang on the front of this coin is presented in raised high polish gold, allowing it to take center stage against the black backdrop.
Military Challenge Coin
United States Army Special Forces Command
As the largest military base in the United States, Fort Bragg has a huge demand for custom coins. These Fort Bragg challenge coins were created for the United States Army Special Forces Command, and we've created different designs for teams spread across the entire base.
Military Challenge Coin
USN Navy Photographersmate
A lot of the Navy challenge coins you'll find have a custom rope edge, but this 3D design kicks it up a notch by filling in the spaces between the rope edge with blue colorfill.
Military Challenge Coin
Navy Stormtrooper
Star Wars challenge coins are created by members of the 501st Legion for all kinds of reasons, including supporting our Nation's troops. Different versions of this stormtrooper helmet coin were created for members of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Marine Corps.
Military Challenge Coin
Navy Ball Ticket Coin
Ticket shaped challenge coins are popular for all kinds of different military balls. These Navy Ball coins were created for the Navy's 242nd birthday.
Military Challenge Coin
High Polish Silver Air Force Coin
For this high polish silver challenge coin, the recessed sandblasting is crucial to keeping the design visible. The engraved sequential numbering also goes a long way towards making each coin unique.
Military Challenge Coin
Chief Mills Coin
These Air Force challenge coins were created specifically for pilots. The design shows an aviator in flight wearing his flight helmet and oxygen mask, and the reflection in his visor shows the view out of the cockpit.
Military Challenge Coin
Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum
Where other coins use different shades of the same color to add detail and contrast to their designs, this coin uses the same shade of blue in each colorfill area. The brush strokes on the 3D portrait on the front coin face give the appearance of pencil marks in a sketch.
Military Challenge Coin
Gatorade Coin
The oblique edge of this high polish silver Gatorade coin gives the coin a unique look and feel. Each oblique line in the edge is cut individually.
Military Challenge Coin
General Darren W. McDew
With a clear image, we can easily add personal signatures to an order of coins. This silver Commander coin also makes use of recessed sandblasting to add contrast.
Military Challenge Coin
2-227 Aviation Regiment
For anyone worried that including cut outs means sacrificing design space, this coin managed to include a number of different symbols and a lot of text while also including four different cut out sections.
Military Challenge Coin
Navy Special Warfare Challenge Coin
Even with the two 3D emblems on the back, this dual plated coin can appear simple, but the front quickly dispels that notion. The fine details of the small raised metal strokes and the entwined and overlapping colorfill areas makes this a very detailed coin indeed.
Military Challenge Coin
Camp Lemonnier
This coin makes used of both a cut to shape design and cut outs to capture its unique ship wheel shape.
Military Challenge Coin
Operation Impact 3D Gold Scorpion Coin
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.
Getting Started on the Perfect Military Coin Design
Custom military coins come in all kinds of different shapes and sizes and are used across every branch of service. As the best challenge coin company in the country, our Signature Coins team has worked with soldiers stationed all over the world. Whether you’re a member of a Marine detachment at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, a commanding officer at Fort Bragg, or anyone else in between, we’ve got you covered.
The Different Styles of Military Challenge Coins
Looking at a handful of unit coins from each branch of service is enough to see the difference in styles throughout the military. Army challenge coins are more likely to have custom shapes and dual functions like bottle opener cut outs, while custom Marine Corps challenge coins are generally more conservative, always making room for the famous eagle, globe and anchor emblem. There are always going to be exceptions to these rules, but it just goes to show that each branch of service has a distinct style when it comes to creating custom military coins.
Custom Army coins are often inspired by a unit’s mascot or emblem, giving them a unique sense of personality. Soldiers carry these coins with pride as a source of identity and camaraderie with their fellow teammates. While soldiers all throughout the Army work together and share common goals, coins like these celebrate what makes a team unique.
Air Force Challenge coins have been a central part of every Airman’s journey since 1947 when the Air Force became a stand-alone service branch. After basic training, recruits are given an Airman’s coin and addressed as Ariman for the first time. While the coin design has changed over the years, it’s importance as the first step in service remains the same. After receiving their first coin at the end of basic training, Airmen are introduced to all kinds of different custom Air Force coins earned through service and excellence.
The United States Navy has ships spread across every ocean of the world. Sailors find themselves at sea for months at a time, but they find a home away from home aboard their vessel. It’s for this reason that so many Navy coins include different ships in the design. Officers sometimes have their own personal coins created that they hand out as a sign of respect and honor to the sailors under their command. No matter what kind of design is pressed into the coin face, all Navy challenge coins are carried with pride.
Marines have a reputation around the globe as an elite fighting force. Semper Fidelis, meaning always faithful, is the motto that every Marine lives by and is present in almost all the Marine challenge coins we help design. Custom Marine Corps challenge coins are often made for individual teams, but they have a strong connection to the Corps as a whole thanks to the Marine Corps emblem included in each design.
No matter what style of coin suits your needs, choosing the right military coin maker is an important step in getting the design just right. Our Signature Coins team is committed to providing the industry’s best quality coins and helping every customer create something meaningful and memorable for their team. Fill out a quote form and get started on your set of custom military coins today!
Customizing Your Coins
Creating a set of high-quality coins is quick and easy when working with our Signature Coins team. To get started, fill out one of our free quote forms and let us know what style of coins you need, how many coins you need and when you need the coins to be delivered. There is also a place to upload any artwork you have prepared, or any stock images you would like our team to use as a reference for your design. We also have a challenge coin design template available to help organize your thoughts and map out your design.
We will have a free proof of artwork ready within 48 hours after a request is submitted. If you see anything you would like to change, just let us know. We offer free unlimited revisions because we want to make sure every customer is extremely satisfied with the artwork before spending a dime. If there are any specific custom options you would like to try out like dual plating, custom edging or cut to shape designs, our art team is happy to work on multiple proofs so you can compare how they look.
For a list of some of our most popular options and a breakdown on how much custom challenge coins cost with different options, check out our pricing page.
The Easiest Way to Design Custom Coins Online
Our Signature Coins team has been handcrafting military challenge coins since the year 2000. We partner with teams from every branch of service, as well as foreign allies like the Canadian Armed Forces, the Armada De Chile and the British Armed Forces to create beautiful designs and the highest quality coins available on the market. If you’re ready to get started on your own set of military coins, we’re here to help.
All of our customers receive a 100% quality guarantee coupled with an industry leading 14 day turnaround time with free priority shipping. Send us your ideas today, and see how our team can help design a meaningful and memorable gift for you and your team.