How to Make Police Challenge Coins
Honoring Service With a Meaningful Police Challenge Coin Design
At the core of of every custom police challenge coin are the men and women in blue. The design is a reflection of their story and a mark of honor. While it may seem like a tall order to come up with a unique police challenge coin design from scratch, we have a quick and easy way to get started with just a few important design elements. Here’s what you need:
Ingredients for the Perfect Police Challenge Coin Design
Department badge
City seal
Team motto
Metal finish
Unit name and logo
Coin edge
Coin shapeHow to Create a Custom Police Challenge Coin Using These Elements
Once you have all this information, fill out a free quote form on our website, and we’ll set to work on your custom police challenge coin design. All artwork and revisions are free, so there will be plenty of opportunities to refine the design.
These directions are just basic building blocks for making a unique police challenge coin design. Feel free to use our challenge coin design template to sketch out your ideas, and try to think of new and interesting ways to include the familiar police challenge coin design elements in new and interesting ways!
Police Coin Gallery
Tri State Police Troopers
The translucent blue enamel on this coin brings a kind of life and vibrancy that otherwise can't be matched. When paired with the high polish gold plating, the coin seems to shimmer in the light.
Dragon Scale Coin
The 3D mold used to create the dragon scale pattern for the background of the reverse face of this coin is impressive in and of itself, but when you couple it with the translucent black enamel that's layered on top of it, the entire coin takes on a shine that looks like real dragon hide.
Santa Ana Police
Santa Ana Police
San Juan Drug Enforcement Administration
Not all coins have to choose between being round and being cut to shape. This high polish gold coin from the DEA uses cut outs to have the best of both worlds.
San Juan Drug Enforcement Administration Side 2
Not all coins have to choose between being round and being cut to shape. This high polish gold coin from the DEA uses cut outs to have the best of both worlds.
Montgomery Police Department K9
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.
Las Vegas Clark County Police Dept
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.
US Customs Border Security
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.
Denver Police Air Support Unit
The translucent colors behind the helicopter design capture the Denver sky at sunset in beautiful detail. High polish plating and translucent enamel pair exceptionally well because the translucent colors allow a small amount of light to hit the reflective metal underneath, creating a unique shimmer effect.
Denver Police Air Support Unit
The translucent colors behind the helicopter design capture the Denver sky at sunset in beautiful detail. High polish plating and translucent enamel pair exceptionally well because the translucent colors allow a small amount of light to hit the reflective metal underneath, creating a unique shimmer effect.
Winter Park Police
The oblique line edge gives this coin a special and almost sharp feel. The recessed text staring out from the high polish gold plating is also a nice touch.
Miami-Dade Autism Awareness
This coin for the Miami Dade Police Department's Autism Awareness fundraiser pulls out all the stops. The translucent enamel over the high polish silver plating is a match made in heaven, and the star in the center of the badge is created with a 3D mold. The recessed sandblasted metal of the puzzle pieces in the background is also a special touch.
Okaloosa County Criminal Investigations Division
The Latin phrase below the knight, tueri innocentem reum persequendum, translates to "Aims to protect the innocent prisoner." Including Latin in a custom coin design is sometimes the best way to impart a message.
Okaloosa County Criminal Investigations Division Side 2
The Latin phrase below the knight, tueri innocentem reum persequendum, translates to "Aims to protect the innocent prisoner." Including Latin in a custom coin design is sometimes the best way to impart a message.
10th Precinct Detective Squad
The detective badge is a very important aspect of the design of this coin as it shows up on both the front and the back. The way the coin pairs its antique silver plating with darker enamel creates a very secretive feel to this coin.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
A coin for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police making use of high polish gold plating seems fitting. And at 2.25", the size of this coin is something to reckon with.
10th Precinct Detective Squad Side 2
The detective badge is a very important aspect of the design of this coin as it shows up on both the front and the back. The way the coin pairs its antique silver plating with darker enamel creates a very secretive feel to this coin.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Side 2
A coin for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police making use of high polish gold plating seems fitting. And at 2.25", the size of this coin is something to reckon with.
Boston Police Homicide Unit
This law enforcement challenge coin makes use of high polish gold plating paired with a deep green colorfill to best represent the Boston Police Department. The spur edge is a particularly nice touch.
Delaware Basic Officer Training Course
This law enforcement coin was ordered by the Delaware Probation and Parole office. The recessed portions of the police badge are sandblasted to help reduce the glare coming off the reflective silver metal.
MTA Police Department Computer Crimes Unit
Binary numbering and computer chip circuitry are common sights on coins for computer crimes units. The binary on this coin is presented in raised text so the high polish gold plating can strand out against the dark enamel.
El Paso Sector Border Patrol
One thing 3D molds give you is the ability to get curved and rounded designs onto your coin. The details of the muscles on the horses on this El Paso Border Patrol coin wouldn't be possible without the 3D mold.
Chatham County Police
This high polish silver coin from the Chatham County Police Department shows just how reflective a high polish surface is capable of getting. Without sandblasting or some kind of design, the plating is shiny and clear enough to be a mirror.
NYPD Computer Squad
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.
California Highway Patrol
This high polish gold California Highway Patrol coin uses a dark blue enamel to add contrast to the front of the coin. The back, on the other hand, is given over to lighter colors so the plating can be used as just an accent.
California Highway Patrol
This high polish gold California Highway Patrol coin uses a dark blue enamel to add contrast to the front of the coin. The back, on the other hand, is given over to lighter colors so the plating can be used as just an accent.
Rob Severance
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.
Rob Severance Side 2
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.
Supervisor Metro Operations
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.
Captain Duane Eastmond Coin
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.
Hegins Township Chief of Police
Created for the Chief of Police of Hegins Township, this challenge coin is dual plated in high polish gold and silver. The platings mix nicely to create an authentic looking badge, but the best contrast comes from the darker enamel.
Hegins Township Chief of Police Side 2
Created for the Chief of Police of Hegins Township, this challenge coin is dual plated in high polish gold and silver. The platings mix nicely to create an authentic looking badge, but the best contrast comes from the darker enamel.
PTSD Awareness Coin
The thin blue line of this PTSD police coin is actually a thick blue line. The inspiring message along the edge is presented in raised text to make sure it stands out perfectly against the black colorfill.
Nebraska State Police
Dogs feature heavily in any challenge coin created for K9 units. While a lot are created with a 3D mold, this coin relies on 2D and dark colorfill areas for its design.
Marc Castellano
Recessed sandblasting is typically reserved for high polish coins in order to best add contrast, but this New Jersey State Police coin proves it's a solid option for antique plating as well. This law enforcement coin was also created in honor of a fallen officer and the foundation started in his memory.
Troop K Major Crimes
This coin was created by the New York State Police Major Crimes unit. One side makes use of dual plating in high polish gold and silver while the other is only plated in silver and relies more heavily on enamel to create its design.
Troop K Major Crimes Side 2
This coin was created by the New York State Police Major Crimes unit. One side makes use of dual plating in high polish gold and silver while the other is only plated in silver and relies more heavily on enamel to create its design.
California Highway Patrol Coalinga Area
This coin for the California Highway Patrol shows off oh much can be done with just a coin plating and two different colors of enamel. Even the detail in the center of the coin is created without the use of any 3D mold.
Lawrence Police Challenge
This coin for the Lawrence Police Department was created in honor of the department's public affairs unit. This is why the Twitter logo (color matched to Twitter's brand guidelines) takes such a position on the back of the coin. The high polish gold plating matches nicely with the dark blue around the coin's custom edge.
Lawrence Police Challenge Side 2
This coin for the Lawrence Police Department was created in honor of the department's public affairs unit. This is why the Twitter logo (color matched to Twitter's brand guidelines) takes such a position on the back of the coin. The high polish gold plating matches nicely with the dark blue around the coin's custom edge.
Miami-Dade Robbery Bureau
This coin from the Miami Dade Police Department features an impressively designed figure in the center and a great high polish finish. The pink enamel is actually in honor of the coin's use during breast cancer awareness month.
Volusia County Sheriff
The copper plating of this Sheriff challenge coin gives the artwork a unique rustic appearance. Most of the police coins we help design are made with gold or silver plating, so choosing a different option is a great way to make your design stand out from the crowd.
Volusia County Sheriff Side 2
The copper plating of this Sheriff challenge coin gives the artwork a unique rustic appearance. Most of the police coins we help design are made with gold or silver plating, so choosing a different option is a great way to make your design stand out from the crowd.
USCP Police Challenge Coin
You may be surprised to hear that these aren't the first Lego-inspired challenge coins we've worked on. We've created several challenge coins that incorporate the famous Lego figures, however, this is the fire one created in the actual shape of a Lego character.
CopBlue Police Challenge Coin
CopBlue.com is a website created by cops for cops. The offer insight into the world of law enforcement and useful resources for any police officer working in the field.
CopBlue Police Challenge Coin Side 2
CopBlue.com is a website created by cops for cops. The offer insight into the world of law enforcement and useful resources for any police officer working in the field.
Chatham County Police Side 2
The stars lining the edge of this high polish gold coin from the Chatham County Police department are a custom edge created at the request of the customer.
Shreveport Resident Office Drug Enforcement Administration
The ancient warriors of Sparta, Rome and Norway are a popular source of inspiration when it comes to custom military and police challenge coins. The Spartan helmet in this design incorporates the Thin Blue Line American flag into the design.
New Jersey State Police Coins
This coin pairs translucent enamel with high polish gold plating. It's the recessed sandblasting that gives the coin that particular glittering look. Translucent enamel is the sort of upgrade that can turn out very differently depending on the plating and certain other factors. But it always creates a striking effect.
ATF Coin
When dual plating with two antique metals, your coin has the ability to take on a rustic, or classic, look that increases the perceived value of the coin.
U.S. Forces Police Black Nickel Coins
There's something about enamel color on black nickel plating that just makes the color stand out so much more strongly than it does on other coins. this coin form the US Forces Police Makes use of six colors on the front and five on the back, and each one stands out in vibrant detail against the dark coin.
Miami-Dade Police Coins
Law enforcement challenge coins are often made for special units within a department like these Special Events Unit coins for the Miami-Dade police. The inclusion of Hard Rock Stadium and Marlins Park on the back of the coin in 3D is a nice, personal touch for the coins.
Police K9 Challenge Coins
The dog on the front of this coin was part of a police K9 unit. His team sent us a picture that we used to create a 3D design with realistic depth and detail.
