Custom challenge coins have come a long way from their World War I roots. What started as a symbol of identity and loyalty among pilots has evolved into one of the most powerful tools for recognition, unity, and culture-building across all kinds of organizations.
If you’re exploring custom challenge coins for your unit, department, school, or company, this guide walks you through what they are, who uses them, design options, and how to create coins that people are genuinely proud to carry.
What Are Custom Challenge Coins?
A challenge coin is a small, custom-designed metal coin that represents a group, mission, or achievement. Historically, coins helped identify members of a squadron and symbolized their shared commitment. The tradition of “coin checking” (where you must produce your coin when challenged) helped reinforce that identity and created a sense of camaraderie.
Today, you can use custom challenge coins to:
- Recognize acts of service or achievement
- Welcome new members
- Commemorate events, anniversaries, or campaigns
- Build team spirit and pride within an organization
Who Uses Custom Challenge Coins?
At Point Emblems, coins are created for a wide variety of groups:
- Military units and veterans’ organizations – for deployments, retirements, promotions, and reunions
- Police, fire, and EMS departments – for duty, bravery awards, and department pride
- Government agencies and public safety organizations – for special task forces, initiatives, and partnerships
- Schools and universities – for alumni, honors programs, leadership groups, and athletics
- Corporate teams – for sales awards, leadership programs, culture-building and branding
If your group has a logo, motto, or mission, a challenge coin can bring those ideas into a tangible, collectible form.
Key Design Elements of Custom Challenge Coins
Point Emblems offers a wide range of options so each coin can be tailored to your story and your budget.
Check out our product page here.
Size and shape
Most coins are between 1.5″ and 2″ in diameter, but you can go larger for extra impact. While round is classic, custom shapes—like badges, shields, logos, or mascots—help your coin stand out.
Metal finishes
Finishes change the entire feel of the coin:
- Antique gold, silver, or bronze for a timeless, traditional look
- Polished metal for a bright, high-impact finish
- Dual-plated coins for extra contrast and prestige
Edges and borders
Rope, reeded, and other specialty edges add subtle detail and texture. Custom borders help frame your design and can tie into your logo or brand.
Color and artwork
Soft enamel or hard enamel fills allow you to incorporate your colors and fine detail. Coins can feature unit crests, badges, mascots, landmarks, or meaningful symbols. Point Emblems can start from a rough sketch or refine your existing art.
Planning the Perfect Challenge Coin
To get started, think through a few key questions:
- Purpose: Is this a general unit coin, a one-time commemorative piece, or an award coin?
- Audience: Who will carry it—recruits, officers, executives, alumni, students, donors?
- Message: What motto, date, or phrase captures the core of what you’re honoring?
- Quantities: How many people will receive one now, and will you need reorders later?
Having clarity on these points helps the Point Emblems team recommend the right size, finish, and features without blowing your budget.
The Point Emblems Process
Point Emblems focuses on making the process simple and collaborative. From their home base in Roy, Utah, they work with clients across the country, combining customer service with deep product knowledge.
The general workflow looks like this:
- Share your idea – Send your logo, sketch, or concept and describe how the coin will be used.
- Get design guidance – Choose sizes, finishes, edges, and colors with help from their team.
- Review artwork – Approve a digital proof before production begins.
- Production & delivery – Your coins are produced with attention to detail and shipped ready for presentation.
Because Point Emblems also offers patches, pins, sports coins, school items, and additional products, you can easily extend your coin design into a broader recognition or branding program across your organization.
Using Challenge Coins in Your Organization
Once your coins arrive, integrate them into your culture:
- Present them in small ceremonies or at key milestones
- Use them to recognize unsung heroes or quiet contributions
- Add coins to welcome kits for new hires or new unit members
- Pair coins with certificates, plaques, or other branded products
The more intentional you are about when and how coins are given, the more meaningful they become.
Ready to design custom challenge coins for your organization? Request a quote today and let Point Emblems help you “Make Your Point” with coins that tell your story.