What Materials are Used in Challenge Coins? - The/Studio

08 Sep.,2025

 

What Materials are Used in Challenge Coins? - The/Studio

All the Challenge Coin Materials Offered by THE/STUDIO

Challenge coins have long been a great way to commemorate an occasion or show off membership and loyalty to a group or community. But given the importance of such moments, it’s fair to want your challenge coins to be unique.

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That’s where the materials used to make your challenge coins come into play. Have you ever considered which materials you’d like to represent your occasion? At THE/STUDIO, we offer many options and combinations so you can ensure your coins are perfect.

Common Metals Used To Make Custom Challenge Coins

Brass

A widespread material used to make challenge coins is brass. This alloy comprises of copper and zinc, and one can alter the combination of the two components to produce a variety of colors and other properties. Most often, it’s copper that is the primary material used. Its malleability and adaptability make it perfect for producing challenge coins.

  • Coloring gives it the appearance of precious metals
  • Not very valuable, but malleable
  • May cause allergic reactions in those with nickel and aluminum allergies

Iron

On the other end of the spectrum, there’s iron. Fun fact: not only is iron the most abundant metal on Earth, but it’s also one of the main major components of the Earth’s crust and its core! So surely that makes it perfect for making coins, right? As with all of the materials used, there are pros and cons:

  • Solid material
  • Easy to shape and refine
  • Because iron oxidizes with oxygen, it’s unlikely to stand the test of time

Zinc Alloy

As a naturally occurring element, Zinc is a great choice to make challenge coins from – especially in its alloy form! To create the alloy, zinc typically mixes with either aluminum or copper. Its low melting point is one of its most valuable properties, making zinc alloy the perfect companion for coin designs.

  • Strong and durable
  • Allows for flexibility in design and more intricate patterns
  • Can be slightly brittle
  • Heavier than some of the other options listed

Pewter

Another alloy on this list, the skin-friendly pewter is unique since it comprises not just two components but, in fact, an impressive four. To make pewter, tin, antimony, copper, and bismuth are mixed together. Sometimes, a producer may even throw in some silver. Indeed, ancient Egyptians frequently used this magical and alchemical mixture for tableware and decorative items, earning its rightful place on our list.

  • Easy to work with
  • Skin-friendly, so it won’t affect those with allergies
  • Not as strong as other options
  • Negatively impacted by exposure to salt or chlorinated water

What Challenge Coin Finishes Does THE/STUDIO Offer?

So, now you know the most common materials used for making challenge coins. But that’s not all you’ll need to decide on. What about the finish? At THE/STUDIO, we offer numerous options for complete uniqueness and free creative reign when creating your design.

We opt for two primary materials when creating your challenge coins: zinc alloy and steel. The intrinsic properties of zinc alloy mean we can make any design you choose – any size or shape – using it. We’ll use steel for coins less than or equal to two inches, with a regular shape, and no 3D details. For more intricate designs, we’ll use zinc alloy. It all depends on your preference.

Gold (Shiny, Antique & Satin)

We offer gold coins in shiny, antique, and satin. The former option comes with a polished surface, giving this traditional option a little shine to its step. Alternatively, the antique choice has a distressed finish, giving a sense of nostalgia and care. And as for the satin effect? An anodized surface provides this option with an opaque and matte finish.

Most commonly, people choose gold for military memorabilia.

Rose Gold

Rose gold offers a modern take on a gorgeous classic. Because it’s bright with a polished finish, rose gold will make your challenge coin stand out in a crowd. Whether it be for themed events or fundraisers, choosing rose gold adds an element of fun and personality.

Silver (Shiny, Antique & Satin)

Much like gold, we offer silver choices with a shiny, antique, or satin finish, giving you complete control over exactly how you’d like your coin to look. Add eye-catching vibrancy and sparkle with the shiny option, a nostalgic, aged effect with the antique option, or a matte surface with the satin choice.

Police services often favor this classy silver choice, so you’ll know you’re in good company!

Nickel (Shiny, Antique & Satin)

A nickel coin can be the unsung hero of the challenge coin world! With a shiny finish, it’s vibrant in its message, it’s antique, and the color comes alive as it bounces off the light. On satin, nickel offers a subtle and traditional feel.

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It’s a great choice often found in the aviation world.

Gunmetal

If it’s modernity you’re looking for, look no further than the gunmetal option. You’ll find its shiny, sleek, and dark finish on most dog tags, so just imagine how good it’ll look on a coin! In other words, we’re talking about a statement coin.

Brass (Shiny, Antique, Satin & Brush)

You guessed it: we also offer brass in the standard three options of shiny, antique, and satin. Each provides a unique but clean, traditional look. You can’t go wrong with brass. Perfect for promotional coins that necessitate an aged but classy feel.

Copper (Shiny, Antique & Satin)

You might reserve copper for only pennies – and rightfully so! – but think again. Check out our copper challenge coins’ shiny, antique, and satin options, and you’ll soon see the light – especially if you choose the shiny option!

The perfect choice to signify membership in a group or loyalty to a team!

Black Paint

And if you’re after uniqueness or polished eccentricity, why not try the black paint option? Sure to stand the test of time, the fully matte effect of the black paint is an excellent choice for promotions where you want to come across as calm and confident!

Final Thoughts

5 Key Elements to Designing Memorable Challenge Coins

Challenge coins have a rich history as symbols of achievement and camaraderie, often used by the military, the police, emergency medical services, and other organizations. At Galaxy Design Squad, we take pride in designing custom challenge coins that not only honor these traditions, but also inspire and unite teams. In this blog, we’ll discuss the top five key elements to consider when designing your custom challenge coins:

1. Telling Your Story Through Artwork

Artwork is a challenge coin’s most distinctive feature. It can be a powerful way to represent the story and values of your organization and its members. Our team can create an eye catching design through custom enamel techniques, which allow for intricate details and vibrant colors. Every element, from symbols and logos to mottos and dates, can be crafted to ensure your coin stands out as a unique testament to your organization’s legacy.

2. Selecting the Perfect Coin Type

There are several different coin types to consider when designing your perfect challenge coin. The choice of materials, design, size, and more will contribute to your coin’s overall impact. It’s important to keep the intended use of the coin in mind at each design step. Let’s explore the different options:

  • Coin Type
    • The foundational structure of your coin can be either a two-sided mold or a one-sided mold. A two-sided mold allows for more detailed storytelling, with each side representing different aspects of your organization or event. In contrast, a one-sided mold focuses all attention on a single, powerful design.
  • Style
    • The choice of style further enhances the visual appeal of your coin. You can opt for a two-sided color design to create a vivid and detailed representation on both sides or a one-sided color design to highlight a particular element with vibrant hues. Alternatively, a metal-only option with no color emphasizes the elegance and simplicity of the coin’s craftsmanship.
  • Size
    • The size of the coin is another critical aspect. Standard challenge coins typically range from one inch to three inches in diameter. Larger coins allow for more intricate designs and text, while smaller coins are often more subtle and portable, yet still carry significant meaning.
  • Metal Plating
    • The finish of your coin can dramatically alter its look and feel. Options like gold, silver, bronze, or antique finishes can be chosen to match the tone and significance of the coin. Each plating option offers a different aesthetic, from the polished shine of gold to the aged, distinguished appearance of antique finishes.
  • Presentation
    • Finally, how your coin is presented can add an extra layer of prestige. Consider options such as display cases, velvet pouches, or acrylic stands to enhance the coin’s perceived value and ensure it’s cherished for years to come.

3. Finding the Right Size and Shape

How do you know what shape and size to choose when designing your custom challenge coin? It’s important to find a balance between size and usability. You will want your challenge coin to be large enough for all of the details to be easy to read and decipher, but also small enough to be transported easily.

Unique shapes can offer an opportunity for your challenge coins to stand out. It’s also important that the selected shape and size can easily complement the artwork and the messages that you would like to convey.

4. Adding Special Touches

Special touches can add to the uniqueness of your challenge coin. Choose from our wide variety of options: glitter, 3D, edge numbering, additional colors and more. Our team is eager to go above and beyond to design the custom challenge coin of your dreams. Our clients often add special features to create more visually striking coins that have deeper meanings for their recipients.

5. Tailoring the Coin to its Purpose

It’s always important to remember the intended purpose of the coin in each step of the design process. Whether for military recognition, an employee milestone, or a personal achievement, the coin’s design should resonate with its recipients. What emotions do you want the coin to invoke? What do you want it to remind its recipient of? Our team will help ensure that each and every design element contributes to this goal and makes the proper emotional impact. We want to help you make the custom challenge coin design a cherished keepsake for many years to come.

Crafting Challenge Coins You’ll Be Proud Of

At Galaxy Design Squad, we know that the best challenge coins balance beautiful visual elements and practicality while always keeping purpose in mind. Our team is eager to help you focus on impactful artwork, find the right coin type, choose the ideal size and shape, add special touches, and tailor the design to its purpose. We promise to guide you through this process with ease, creating custom challenge coins that will provide meaning for years to come!

For more Custom Metal Challenge Coinsinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.