Just as no two states are the same, no two state police departments are the same. When it comes to police department challenge coins, the big names in law enforcement like the NYPD or the LAPD take up the spotlight. While we have had the opportunity to create amazing coins for both of these departments, we are equally honored to have worked with countless other law enforcement groups around the country. We thought that it’s time to share the love and list a few of our favorite state police challenge coins to honor the men and women patrolling our country and keeping us safe! Take a look and let us know what you think!
New York State Police Challenge Coin
Yes, there is more to New York law enforcement than just the NYPD. This coin is an example of a custom design we made for the New York State Police’s Major Crimes Unit. This division includes homicide, cold case and violent crime. This coin is a great example of how dual plating can help emphasize certain aspects in coin design. The New York State Police badge on the back of the coin is plated in high polish gold, while the rest of the coin is presented in antique gold. Police challenge coins often include a depiction of their department badge into the design, and using high polish plating helps make the design look even more authentic.
Nebraska State Patrol Challenge Coin
Not all state police departments are called “state police.” In the case of Nebraska, they are christened “state patrol.” Like many other police forces, Nebraska has K-9 units available to assist in the field, and this coin was created to honor the service of the dog and handler teams helping protect the state. We found the combination of antique silver plating with black enamel colorfill to be perfect for capturing the likeness of the German shepherd on the front of the coin. While this design is completely 2D, we can also create incredibly detailed 3D molds that make even more lifelike designs, but as you can see, this option makes a beautifully detailed design as well.
California Highway Patrol Challenge Coin
The California Highway Patrol (yet another name for state police) have a lot of ground to cover in such a large state. This coin was made for the “watchers of the west side” who patrol the Coalinga area between Los Angeles and San Francisco. This coin is a balancing act between traditional police challenge coin design and something more personal and meaningful to the members of the department. The front side of the coins depict the department’s seal and motto against a blue backdrop. Badges and state seals are commonly included in police challenge coins, but the back of this coin is a custom design created to represent the patrolmen’s office: the open road. There is a list of the highways they patrol as well as common sights around the desert roads they drive. It just goes to show that anything is possible in design.
Marc Castellano’s New Jersey State Police Coin
This coin is different from the rest of the coins listed here. Marc Castellano was a member of the New Jersey State Police. Officer Castellano was killed while on patrol, and this coin was made to honor his memory and to celebrate his life. Our team is humbled and honored by the opportunity to create remembrance coins that help a person’s memory and spirit live on. This one is carried by his family, close friends and by members of the department as a symbol of their love for their lost brother.
Massachusetts and Rhode Island State Police Challenge Coin
What makes this St. Patrick’s Day coin extra special is the fact that it is shared between two different state police departments and the Irish Garda Síochána (literally meaning "the Guardian of the Peace"). While there may be all sorts of different police departments across these 50 United States, they are all working together to reach the same ends. These coins were brought to Ireland with members of the two state police departments on St. Patrick’s Day in 2018 and shared with their hosts in Irish law enforcement. The coin itself is dual plated with high polish gold and silver, and the recessed areas of the design are sandblasted to add texture and contrast to the bright metal. We love this coin because of its beautifully balanced design and because of how it represents brotherhood and appreciation even across departments and countries.
Making Your Own State Police Challenge Coins
If you’re looking for the perfect custom coin company, then you have come to the right place. We have years of experience creating custom designs for law enforcement departments both big and small. Our goal is to help bring your ideas to life through detailed artwork and careful coin construction. Send us your ideas to our Signature Coins team and see what we can create for you!
