Welcome to our new blogger site: Challenge coin design

Welcome to our "Challenge coin design" blogger site!  This blog is created solely for the use of military personnel.   It is a resource for those creating a challenge coin.  The more you know about challenge coin manufacture and design, the more pleased you will be with the final product -- a coin that commemorates a significant event, proudly symbolizes your organization or celebrates excellence!

Many of our customers are first time coin purchasers.  They know little about the design or manufacture of coins.  While some have a good idea of how they want the finished product to look, many want to know all of their options.  That's what this blog is all about.  Informing the "novice" coin customers.

Now I'm a simple person.  I always say, "If I ask you what time it is, don't tell me how to build a watch"!  I am driven by the end result.  And you might be that kind of person, too.  You'll still learn some things from this blog -- even if you are about to have a coin made and you know exactly what you want the finished product to look like.  But, a good portion of our customers contact us and have only a vague idea of what they want.  They might know they want their squadron emblem on the coin or they might want the Dining Out date, etc. -- but they don't know much more than that.

So I'm here to answer your FAQ:

                         - what is the difference in a brass or zinc alloy coin?
                         - what finishes can I use on the coin?
                         - will epoxy doming protect it?
                         - what are my edging options?
                         - how do a 2-D and 3-D coin differ?
                         - can you use a sketch of what we want?
                         - what is vector artwork?
                         - can you make a coin that is shaped like a wrench?

I am going to post photos of unique coins.  Photos of cool coins.  Photos of simple and intricate coins.  Hopefully, you'll get some ideas on how to make your coin one the recipients will put on the front row of their coin holders!

I love challenge coins!  They are pieces of history.  If you are designing a coin -- remember, the recipients will look back on these over their lifetime and they will remember a moment in time.  And their families will cherish them as well.  My father was in the Navy in WWII.  I cherish every item he has given me from his time serving our nation -- photos, letters, items he carried with him while he was on the USS Bennington.  My father never had his own challenge coin -- but if he had, it would mean more to me than $20 gold coin he gave me.  It wouldn't be as valuable -- but it would be priceless. 

Remember -- you are designing something that will be priceless to someone some day.