Thinking Outside the Box
When most people think of a challenge coin, they probably think of a round, medallion-style coin. It’s true that most of the custom coins we help design follow a more traditional path, but every once in a while we have the chance to work on something a little more outside the box. Some of the military coins we have created that really stand out are based on weapons like shurikens, knives, arrowheads and even axes. As far as design is concerned, we thought this was a clever way to make coins stand out in a soldier’s collection. The finished products may look deadly, but the truth is they are perfectly safe.
Creating custom shape coins is exciting for our team because it always presents unique challenges that require more than a little creativity to work through. It’s a chance for our art team to test their abilities and for our production team to refine their craft, and the end results are always among the most memorable coins we produce. We thought it would be fun to share a few of our favorite examples from around the office, so take a look and let us know what you think.
Coins That Are Looking Sharp
Japanese shurikens come in many different forms. The most traditional variant is a bō shuriken which looks like a small pencil or stick and is easily concealed in a person’s hand. Both of these challenge coins are modeled after popular versions of the hira shuriken, which is a wheel blade or throwing star shuriken. We say “inspired” because neither of these coins are that dangerous as they are not sharpened. Be that is it may, they still have a deadly look to them.
Both of these coins were designed for teams in the United States’ 7th Fleet, whose headquarters are in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. By taking inspiration from their surroundings, these designs are perfect for honoring the culture and shared understanding between the two nations of Japan and the U.S.
We make all kinds of oddly-shaped challenge coins, but this one is definitely one of our favorites. There was a lot that went into getting the coin just right. We had to mix and match options like full 3D molding for the handle, both enamel and translucent colorfills, and then there was the sheer size of the coin. We can make coins of just about any size, and we have found that larger coins usually bring a little more challenge to the production process. This knife-shaped coin is about 2”x 6” giving it a considerable weight and intimidating presence when you hold it in hand.
Standing Out From The Crowd
These coins were created for members of the regimental engineering squadron of the Army’s 3rd Cavalry. The motto “Always Forward” is pressed into one side of the ax blade, as well as the phrase “Presented for Excellence” along the handle. The flip side of the coin has familiar emblems associated with the regiment and the years of the regiment's deployment in Operation Inherent Resolve. These types of design cues are common among all kinds of military challenge coins, but the custom ax shape makes it more personal and meaningful for the engineering group receiving them.
Creating a custom shape helps coins stand out in the collection of coins a soldier earns over time. Another cool aspect of these coins, besides the shape, is that the coins are dual plated. While the coin is mainly plated in high polish gold, two of the emblems are plated in high polish silver to help them stand out in the design.
What makes custom shaped coins so special is that no two designs will ever be the same. These arrowhead coins show that starting with a similar idea doesn’t mean you will end up with a similar design.
Each coin takes a different approach in recreating the look of an old school arrowhead, and our artists took their time handcrafting unique edging for each design to give them a weathered, handmade quality. It looks as though the chips and scraps came from hand tools along the blade of each coin. Even subtle aspects like this change both the look and texture of each coin, making them something truly special to experience.
Getting Started on Your Own Design
Custom shape coins don’t have to be inspired by weapons like these. Groups of soldiers sometimes order coins shaped like other equipment they use like vehicles, utility belts, radios, helmets and all kinds of other things. We are always excited at the chance to work on coins with new and interesting shapes. It’s a simple way to add a personal touch, making the coins more meaningful to the people they are created for, and at the end of the day that is what challenge coins are all about. If you have your own ideas ready, all you need to do to get started is give us a call. We’ll take it from there!
