Back in the old days, law enforcement officials were actually issued challenge coins so they could prove they served with a particular organization if someone challenged them. That’s quite possibly where the name originally came from. This background encouraged the development of a wide variety of complicated design rules. Fortunately, these are largely a thing of the past, and you should feel free to create whatever kinds of challenge coins you’d like. If you’re still not quite sure what your design should look like, then glance over these four tips that should make the process quite a bit easier.
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1. Pick Out Unique Shapes
Nothing says that your coin has to be the same shape as a quarter or nickel. Though they’re called challenge coins because they’re carried in the pocket, some groups have actually deployed ones that feature fantastical shapes. Aviation police, for instance, have sometimes added wings jutting out from the sides of their coins, while those who ride on horseback have instead opted for equestrian shapes. You can probably think of several unique shapes that would work great for the specific type of law enforcement body you’re giving the coins to.
2. Try a Striking Design
Many challenge coins have used either coats of arms or other forms of blazon design, since these make up the city seals often used by police departments. If your department already has an impressive design that’s used on cars and badges, then you might want to opt to use it. Otherwise, you can design something that represents the unique culture of your area. Try experimenting with different colors to give it a striking appearance.
3. Modernize Traditional Challenge Coin Designs
Even if your organization has a long design history, that doesn’t mean you can’t still be creative when you order law enforcement challenge coins. Say you were a representative of a department that had been using the same seal for the last several decades. You might want to give it some modern flair by using differently textured enamel when putting it on the coin. Challenge coin issuers will often try out various glossy patterns, which can make them pop when placed in a shadow box.
4. Select the Right Metal
Almost all challenge coins either have a gold or silver look to them, but choosing between these two options can still be pretty difficult. Take a look at the police stars, badges, and hat cockades used by the organization you represent. If they’re all one or the other of these two metallic colors, then you’ll probably want to go with that option. Some designers might want to pick exactly the opposite just to give their challenge coins a different look. Depending on the style you prefer, you could look into more radical departures from tradition. Durability shouldn’t be much of a factor, so that probably won’t play into your choice.
No matter what design you settle on, professional challenge coin manufacturers can help you make a piece that’s going to stand the test of time. The law enforcement group will appreciate the thought you put into creating challenge coins specifically for them.
