5 Popular Reasons To Use Custom Challenge Coins

Custom challenge coins have a rich history and tradition in the military. Their popularity has expanded outside of the military. In recent years, they have become a fixture in the civilian world as well. While many people have seen challenge coins, there are still some who might be unsure precisely what challenge coins are used for.

What’s a Challenge Coin?

A challenge coin is a custom-designed coin created to show membership, reward performance, build camaraderie and team spirit, or all of the above. They’re versatile enough that they can be used to recognize achievement in just about any field. 

While there’s no definitive story of how and when they originated, the most popular explanation is that the U.S. military adopted custom coins in the early 20th century. In the decades since, they have become a staple of military life, and have grown exponentially in popularity in civilian organizations as well. 

Who Uses Challenge Coins?

Organizations create custom challenge coins for a variety of reasons. Military units commonly use them as a way to commemorate achievements and build unit cohesion. They serve to bring together people who might not initially know each other, helping them form a high-performance group capable of functioning as a single unit rather than a collection of individuals. 

Civilian organizations use challenge coins in much the same way. In fact, custom coins have become established marketing, promotional and commemorative items Let’s take a look at five of the creative ways non-military organizations use custom coins. 

Outreach

Companies, nonprofit organizations, schools and other groups have discovered the benefits of using custom coins as a way to reach potential customers, students or clients. More than a token with a company's information, custom coins are a memorable gift that recipients will keep in mind. A custom coin is a tangible reminder to potential customers, students or volunteers, putting an organization’s information directly in their hands with something of value.

Challenge coins have become particularly popular as giveaways for trade shows, conference and conventions. They’re an outstanding way to make an impression, present contact or brand information and give attendees something tangible. Unlike paper business cards or other giveaway items such as pens or wristbands, custom coins feature weight and texture. That gives them a perceived value that makes them harder for recipients to just dispose of, unlike paper business cards.

Commemorations

Celebrating accomplishments and milestones is something we all do. It's great to have goals, and it's even better to reach them. Coins are an outstanding way to commemorate milestone events of just about any kind. Whether it’s a product rollout, meeting a sales quota, a milestone birthday or a major family event, challenge coins provide a unique way to celebrate.

Weddings are a great example. Traditionally, the bride and groom give gifts to their bridesmaids and groomsmen as a way to say thank you. Why not celebrate the moment with a coin? 

Wedding coins have grown in popularity in recent years, and can even be used as wedding favors for guests. They may include details such as the date and venue, the location of the wedding, and more. Celebrate the big day and all of the hard work of your party with some creative custom coins! Depending on the size of the guest list, they can make fantastic mementos  for everyone who attends your joyous day.

Challenge coins are an ideal way to celebrate graduations, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and more. A coin is a novel gift that celebrates special moments in a tangible way that can be treasured for years to come. A well-designed challenge coin is something recipients can carry or display proudly as they recall major life events.

In a business setting, you can use custom coins to mark anniversaries with the organization, retirements, even new hires if you so choose. Coins help make the recipients feel a part of the organization and build team spirit. That can help reduce turnover and increase performance.

Academic Awards

Rewarding outstanding academic performance is a very popular use of challenge coins, particularly in academic competitions. While ribbons and trophies are wonderful, a challenge coin has value in a different, unique way. It’s a tangible reminder of achievement that recipients can carry with them as a daily reminder of their performance. 

Custom coins aren’t limited to students. You can present them to educators as well, to honor classroom excellence, achievement of school goals such as test scores, athletic team achievement, band performance and more.

Thank You Rewards

When someone goes above and beyond to help, it's essential to show how much they are appreciated. A "thank you" goes a long way, and custom coins are a great way to celebrate. Coins provide a meaningful, tangible item that will be held and displayed with pride. and acknowledge those who always put their best foot forward. Acknowledging dedication, hard work, and loyalty goes a long way, and a coin will provide memories for years to come.

Memorials

Challenge coins are a stylish, dignified to remember someone or something important. Memorial challenge coins are a way to honor and celebrate lost friends and loved ones in a meaningful way, giving recipients something they can carry with them every day.

The Right Provider Makes a Difference

At ChallengeCoins4Less.com, we have produced challenge coins of all types. With 20 years of experience, we know how a well-designed challenge coin can commemorate a special achievement, event or person. From commemorating special moments in one's life to admiring those who have passed with memorial coins, to saying “thank you” to those who have helped us, challenge coins are a time-honored way to show appreciation and respect.

If you’d like to find out more, give us a call, toll free at (855) 272-8451, or email us. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have about designing or creating custom coins for your specific needs. If you already have a design in mind, just fill out our free quote form, and we’ll send you a free digital proof of your design. Let us show you how easy designing and ordering custom challenge coins for any occasion can be!