Your challenge coins are a beautiful reminder of your service to the United States, to your company or fraternal organization, or to the world. They’re an important reminder of milestones in your career and the relationships that you have built. This is not an ordinary coin collection locked up in a safe deposit box somewhere. You want to put them on display, but how?

Who Collects Challenge Coins?

Military challenge coins were initially used to identify soldiers from specific units to sentries on the battlefield. When initiating a coin check, the soldier being challenged would produce a coin to identify his unit. While challenge coin history is rooted in the battlefield, their use has grown into a symbol of respect and service, traded freely between individuals from different organizations and often awarded to recognize exemplary service.

Challenge coins have continued to evolve, and are used by law enforcement, fraternal organizations such as the Masons, sporting teams, corporations or even individuals who mint their custom coins for sale or trade. We can help you design and mint your own unique challenge coins.

While there is a great deal of military etiquette surrounding the use of challenge coins, their broad appeal and use by hobbyists mean that there are no hard and fast challenge coin rules today. There is a thriving marketplace involving collectors from all walks of life all over the world.

How to Store Challenge Coins to Protect Them

Your coins should be stored away from heat, light and moisture. They should be handled rarely and gently, cleaned with a soft cloth with a solution that will not damage the enamels, metals and alloys that the coins are manufactured from. Taking good care of your coins will prolong their life and preserve their value. Be careful not to accidentally drop your coin while handling it. We have several products available to store individual coins, such as sleeves, boxes, pouches, etc.

There are albums designed specifically for challenge coins made by the US Mint, Dansco and others. These albums have rigid pages that allow viewing multiple coins on each page. If this method of display does not appeal to you, you could make your own.

How Do You Make a Challenge Coin Display?

A simple challenge coin display case can be made by placing them on a rich felt or velvet liner within a shadow box, under glass. Or, if you’re not “crafty”, you could purchase a veteran-made display online.

Whether you choose to purchase an album or construct one of your own, we recommend that you display your challenge coins proudly while protecting them from the elements.

Custom challenge coins are everyday rewards in the military. Now, other sectors are getting in on the act. Now is an ideal time to learn more about these unique items.

What Are Some Non-Military Challenge Coin Uses?

Challenge coins are popular as corporate awards, for fraternal orders, and for commemorating sports events like specific tournaments.

Many civilian organizations, like the police and fire departments, use them extensively to reward service. They’re also increasing rapidly in the business world since companies have discovered their motivational appeal.

Some corporations even use them to memorialize events and to thank customers. There are few limits on how to give civilian coins away. The main appeal should be to convey a sense of rich history and tradition, and the custom coin design should demonstrate the purpose of the reward. Anyone who glances at the coin for even a moment should have no trouble deciphering its meaning and purpose.

The History of Presidential Challenge Coins

Presidential challenge coins are unusual because they’re given out directly by the United States President, in some instances. Fortunately, anyone who wants one can also purchase them as a keepsake.

Each president designs the commemorative coins slightly differently and gives them out for different reasons. They are a fascinating subject, and people who receive them cherish the gift.

When Is a Challenge Coin Not a Coin?

Challenge coins come in lots of different shapes now, and not all of them are reminiscent of coins. For example, you may find challenge bottle openers if you look. Although that might sound somewhat outside of the bounds of the coin tradition, it shows that the art of challenge coins is expanding.

Corporate challenge coins can incorporate any needed design elements. Companies may decide to integrate components like their logos or other recognizable shapes to increase branding. Their objective is to ensure that their custom coin is memorable and eye-catching. Each unit coin should be worth keeping for the recipient.

Challenge Coins Memorialize Outstanding Service

It’s common for the fire department, military organizations, Air Force, service members, law enforcement staff, and others to give out traditional coins with historical designs. It’s not uncommon for military challenge coins to commemorate a World War or the Vietnam War. There’s even a coin the Challenger crew will hold dear.

It’s possible to memorialize any event in this manner. People love getting them because they recognize exemplary service. It’s a way for an organization to thank people, and the challenge coin tradition works well across an extensive range of industries.

Interested in creating challenge coins for your organization? You can always get help with your custom challenge coin design, so don’t be afraid to dream big. You’ll have to come up with some of the ideas yourself, but we’ll give you plenty of help bringing those ideas to life! Contact us to find out how our design services can assist.