A Day in the Spotlight
Quite often, our blogs are created either around a single design element that multiple coins share, or they’re about one customer who’s created a unique and interesting challenge coin program. But every so often, we get an order in that’s so impressive we think it would be a mistake not to share it with you.
Maybe they aren’t pushing the boundaries of what’s typical in the custom coin design world, but they do showcase what is possible when the different options we offer are utilized to their best effect. These coins are our Signature Spotlights.
The Coins of the 181st Field Artillery Regiment
A lot of different unit coins come through our office, but this specific army artillery coin caught our attention. It doesn’t have a dynamic shape or dual purpose like the Army Birthday Ball coins we featured, nor is it a design that’s changing the game for unit coins across the military. It is, however, a perfect example of how to make a meaningful and memorable design for a specific group of soldiers with a thoughtful combination of custom options.
The front face of the coin has a clean image of the 181st Field Artillery Battalion’s unit crest with the motto Hit ‘Em First etched into the banner beneath the coat of arms. Every unit in the United States Military has a unique crest. For soldiers, these crests become a symbol of camaraderie and shared identity which is one of the reasons they are so popular to include in challenge coin design.
The artwork on both sides of the coin are framed in a custom rope edge, but the person in charge of designing these coins took the custom edging a step further on the flip side. Letters are added between each fold in the rope edge along the top of the coin and together they say, Legacy of the 196th FA BDE.
We tell our customers to take advantage of all the space on their custom coins, but it’s not very often that we see a design that makes use of the custom edging in this kind of way. The letters are small enough to miss at first glance, but if you take a moment to appreciate the design, you will see how they add a special touch to the artwork.
The equipment and vehicles soldiers are trained to operate are often included in challenge coin design because they add a sense of individual personality. The M142 high mobility artillery rocket system is a familiar image to all members of the 181st. Another custom option added to this coin is the sequential numbering, which ensures each coin is just a little bit different than the last. This means that no two soldiers ever receive the same coin.
Put Your Custom Coin in the Spotlight
This 181st Field Artillery Battalion coin is a prime example of how to make a traditional set of unit coins. The artwork is balanced and beautifully executed, and the message of appreciation and recognition for excellence is clear. Our favorite addition is the lettering inside the custom rope edge. It's a subtle touch that adds another layer of personality to the artwork, creating a coin any member of the 181st would be proud to carry.
If you think your custom coin is deserving of a spot in the Signature Spotlights series, let us know in the comments, or shoot us an email. And be sure to continue creating interesting and unique designs that catch our eye.
