A challenge coin is a coin that bears an organization’s logo or emblem and is carried by the organization’s members. Traditionally, they are proof of membership in a group and help enhance morale. They are also a means of building camaraderie.
What’s A Presidential Challenge Coin?
Presidential challenge coins symbolize the honor,dignity and respect of the President of the United States. Their design is aesthetically appealing, with fantastic artwork that draws attention. You can see on the site in the link above how multiple presidents have designed their specific challenge coins. It’s fascinating to know that the president has their unique coins made. These coins are designed specifically for each president and have unique logos that reflect the president’s beliefs, accomplishments, and the foundation of their political views.
If you’re creating your first challenge coin, there are three elements to consider when designing an amazing one.
The size of a challenge coin
The size of a challenge coin is significant if you want it to stand out and be noticed. Bigger isn’t always better, but the bigger your coin, the more impressive it will appear to your members. It’s also crucial that your challenge coin is proportional to your logo or emblem. Challenge coins typically range in size from 1.5” to 3”, although they can be either smaller or larger.
Coin type (die struck vs milling):
Iif you’re making custom challenge coins for an exclusive group with precise criteria, die struck coins are the best option for you. However, if your group is more of a casual club or group challenge coins are very popular, then milling your coin is probably more suitable for what you’re trying to achieve.
There are many types of metal that coins are made of, but it’s your choice to know which one would fit your group best. You may want to consider the classic replicas in gold and silver metals. However, there’s nothing wrong with steel either!
Coin metal
Most challenge coins are made from brass or zinc. They can then be plated in gold, silver or other colors to suit your specific needs. Additionally, you may want to consider the appearance of your metal. Is it a matte look or a polished one?
Enamel fill
If you want to add color to your coins, you can choose from cloisonne’ (hard enamel) or soft enamel. Cloisonne’ fills in the valleys created by the die-striking process in your design right to the top of the valleys. This creates a finish that’s smooth to the touch. Soft enamel, on the other hand, is injected into the valleys, but not all the way to the top. That leaves the ridges to give the design more contrast and a “rougher” feel.
In either case, there is a wide range of custom enamel colors to choose from.
Coin decoration
This is where everything comes together. The size, metal type, and enamel color are crucial elements that will influence the design of your custom challenge coin. With die struck coins, you can stamp any decoration on the surface, and it will retain its quality even after prolonged use.
In addition, you should consider the appearance of your metal. Is it a matte look or a polished one? This will help you decide what color enamel fill to use on your challenge coins.
Also read: Bitcoins – Get To Know Everything About The Bitcoins!
