It is not unusual to see people carrying or displaying challenge coins, but what are they?
A challenge coin is a custom-designed coin representing an organization, group, or occasion. The materials, size, and shape might be similar to those in a penny, quarter, dime, or nickel. However, challenge coins are strictly for commemorative purposes and not a currency.
People can keep ems challenge coins in their collector’s boxes, display them on a wall or carry them in a pocket. The coins may not hold monetary value but have a high sentimental value.
What are the uses of challenge coins?
Challenge coins are for presentation to individuals in recognition of their achievement. People also get them to represent membership and unity in a community, organization, or company. It has always been a great honor to receive a challenge coin. High-quality challenge coins are a treasure that some people pass to their heirs.
Historically, the military began issuing challenge coins. Soldiers wore them to demonstrate their proof of membership and their affiliation with a specific unit. Many years later, ems challenge coins are popular.
The military culture has played a big part in sustaining challenge coins since the days of the Roman Empire. It became a part of the American military in World War I when members began carrying their coin or medallion at all times. Their purpose was to show their affiliation and pride in their military units.
Members of each regiment got a coin. The custom coins helped to develop comradeship among military members. When a soldier showed a coin, others in a room also produced theirs, and anyone without it bought others a round of drinks. Today, it is still the case during the “coin check” tradition at formal and informal gatherings.
The military and first responder services still use challenge coins. Police officers and firefighters have their customized coins.
However, many organizations and communities have put a spin on the tradition. They create custom challenge coins to award achievers, gift new members, or turn them into souvenirs commemorating special occasions.
The popularity of challenge coins shows they will continue to be a morale-boosting memento to recognize exceptional service, leadership or represent the membership to a community. For instance, veterans, Masonic, and corporate organizations issue coins to their members.
Benefits challenge coins
In recent years, a high success rate of the military challenge coins led to an explosion of custom coin culture. For instance, ems challenge coins have become great collector items.
The flexibility of challenge coins makes them an excellent solution for many workplace issues, including:
Recognition: Nowadays, organizations issue challenge coins for employee recognition programs or celebrate special occasions. Employees who receive them feel valued, and it boosts their morale.
Suicide prevention: Persons with depression or suicidal thoughts communicate their state of mind quietly by presenting a coin to a person they trust. The coin recipient knows it is time to give immediate attention to the person in distress. Suicide prevention coins usually have a white or yellow ribbon fitted subtly into the design.
Dealing with sexual harassment: People feel embarrassed to report sexual assault or harassment at work. A challenge coin enables victims to communicate a need for help by handing a coin over to an HR representative. The message passes without drawing unnecessary attention from colleagues.
Employee feedback collection: Challenge coins are a subtle way to incorporate employee views. Employees hand a coin to a leader to signal they have a problem or know of an issue that requires attention in private.
Tips to Design Challenge Coins
A wide range of uses motivates people to design their version of ems challenge coins. Below are the considerations when creating a challenge coin.
What the coin will display: The starting point is to decide if a coin should include a unit symbol or a logo. Other details will fill around it.
Size: The size of challenge coins can be small to allow carrying or a bigger one for display in a room. A bigger coin costs more to make but has more room for detail and design art.
Shape: Coins can take any form, but round is the most famous design for challenge coins. Other options include square, oval, rectangle, star, and badge. A shape should suit the ideals of a group, organization, or company.
Metal finish: There is a range of polished and antique metal finishes. Antique finishes highlight the text, while polished coins give a regal look by making the design pop. Combining metal finishes achieves a two-tone look.
Custom diamond-cut edges make coins look more elegant. Popular edge options include crosscut, rope cut, and wave-cut.
Engraved sequential numbers on ems challenge coins emphasize exclusivity if they are for a limited run.