Commemorative coins elevate a moment or an event into something people will cherish forever. Commemorative coins are great for various occasions and milestones, from celebrating an anniversary to recognizing employees for their achievements.
Once you decide on the design and size, it’s time to start thinking about the finishing touches. Consider adding a reeded edge or sequential numbering to your coin.
Decide on the Design
A commemorative coin is a one-of-a-kind keepsake that celebrates people, places, and events. They often symbolize pride and loyalty and can help build unity within a team or organization. However, designing a custom challenge coin can seem daunting for some. Luckily, experts are here to walk you through the process and make it as easy as possible!
To begin, it is vital to decide on the style of your coin. Many customers start with a full graphic image or their company’s logo in mind, while others create a completely original design from scratch. In addition, it is also essential to determine whether or not your coin will include text. The font used can impact the look of your coin, so be sure to choose a clear and legible typeface that conveys your message.
Another consideration is the coin’s plating and finish options. You can select from silver, gold, black nickel, brass, or polished copper, as well as a shiny or antique finish. Additionally, you can add dual plating, which layers two different finishes for a unique look.
Finally, it is vital to consider the coin’s edge details. Many options, including rope, cross-cut, slash-cut, and oblique-cut edges, can enhance the coin’s overall appearance.
Select Your Metal
A coin’s design includes size, shape, metal plating, and edging elements. These choices can make your coin unique and memorable.
Another critical factor is the color of your coin. The majority of coins we create are painted with soft enamel paint. This type of paint is injected into each color area of the coin using a fine gauge needle, which then melts into the raised metal walls of the coin in a high-heat oven. This process produces very durable, long-lasting colors.
Challenging enamel paint is also used in our more specialized coin products, such as those created for police and sheriff’s departments. These coins are made using a special dye that causes the coin to take on a dark electroplate finish. These types of coins are often referred to as “challenge coins.”
Lastly, many people want their badges recreated on their coins in 3-d relief. It means the badge is curved with varying levels of high and low areas, giving it an image that looks like it was carved into the coin. It requires a CAD image to be made and will add to the overall cost of the coin.
Other options include a photo insert, requiring a recessed area in the coin that allows a small piece of printed paper to be inserted. The photo can then be covered with epoxy to protect it from scratches and wear.
Create Your Proof
Commemorative coins are minted to celebrate specific events or issues and have a distinct design for the occasion. They can be circulating coins used in everyday commerce or non-circulating coins used as collectors’ items. The US Bicentennial Quarter is an excellent example of a circulating commemorative coin.
Challenge coins differ from regular currency coins because they’re not used as legal tender but to represent a group or organization and serve as an identification marker. They’re popular with police departments, fire departments, and other organizations who wish to provide their members and employees with a memento they can hold on to and show pride in for a lifetime.
They can be round like an average, rectangular, or custom-shaped coin, depending on the group or organization that orders them. They also can be custom engraved, adding another dimension to the coin with text, graphics, or other markings that help identify it as belonging to a particular group or event.
In addition to engraving, a common feature is antique plating, which contrasts raised and recessed areas and gives the coin a more aged look. Another way to increase the visual impact of a commemorative coin is by crafting it in 3D.
Place Your Order
Once you’ve decided on the purpose and meaning of your coin, it’s time to create a design. It is one of the most exciting steps in the process but can also be one of the most daunting. It is especially true for first-time challenge coin designers, as many options are available.
Having a clear understanding of the reason for your challenge coin will help you come up with a design that will be both memorable and effective. For example, a challenge coin designed to celebrate the fifth anniversary of a local fire department would look much different than a challenge coin created to be handed out at a sales event to increase brand awareness.
You’ll also want to decide how much color you want in your coin. You can opt for a die-struck coin without any added enamel color, or you can go for a fully colored coin. Either option will give you a great-looking coin, but your decision will impact how your intended audience receives your coin.
It’s also important to consider the size of your coin. Larger coins tend to feel more official and valuable but can be more challenging. On the other hand, smaller coins are easier to carry but can feel less unique or even easier to misplace.