Custom Coins are Used to Recognize First Responders

Custom Coins are Used to Recognize First Responders

Honor first responders for their critical role with custom challenge coins

One of the most popular uses of custom challenge coins around the world is to recognize police officers, firefighters and EMT crews for a job well done. If your organization or agency wants to recognize first responders with custom coins, it’s easy! Here are a few tips to help you honor the dedicated men and women who help keep your city safe.

Why Custom Coins?

Custom coins are a traditional way to honor outstanding performance in the U.S. military and others around the world. They’re equally well-suited in civilian organizations, especially those police and fire departments, typically organized in a quasi-military hierarchy. That makes custom challenge coins a natural addition to such organizations.

Challenge coins began as military keepsakes, a way for servicemen and -women to commemorate their experiences with their own specific units or squads. The coins can serve the same purpose for first responders. Individual squads, precincts or teams can have their own specific coins. The custom coins can show the insignia of the department, the detective squad, HAZMAT team or other groups. Just as military challenge coins have become a beloved tradition for the armed forces, your coins can do the same for your department, boosting morale and recognizing dedication and sacrifice.

You can use coins to honor officers, firefighters or EMTs for outstanding job performance. Alternatively, all members of designated squads can have squad-specific designs as well. When you want to recognize a trauma squad, SWAT team or Hazmat battalion, they're  In either case, they’re a valuable morale booster for employees who work in high-stress situations regularly.

Designing Your Coins

Designing distinguished looking coins that will become valued keepsakes isn’t hard. With help from your coin supplier, it’s easy to create designs that will honor your dedicated public servants.

A good provider of custom coins can help you create coins for any specific part of your department, or a department-wide design if you prefer. Create a new design or use a traditional one such as a St. Florian’s cross or Maltese cross. Your city or state seal also can be an excellent basis for a very attractive coin design. If you're not certain what you want your coins to look like, don't worry. With highly experienced artists on staff, your custom coin provider can work with you to create exactly the look you want.

Start with your department insignia. It’s always a good basis for coins, and one your team is accustomed to.  If, however, you prefer something different, that’s no problem. The talented artists at your custom challenge coin supplier will be glad to help you create the perfect design for your needs.

Today’s coins are available in a range of finishes, including gold, silver, brass, copper and black nickel. Choose a polished or antiqued style. You can add color to your design on either or both sides as well. The choice is up to you.

While some departments choose to stick with the traditional metal look, you can also add color to your designs to boost the visual appeal. Add color to one or both sides to create a truly striking look. A good coin supplier will allow up to at least five colors at no extra charge. You can even add more colors for a slight additional fee.

You’re not limited to round coins. Custom shapes are available, along with other options such as cutouts, engraved edge text, 3D designs, sequential numbering and more. Diamond-cut edges add still more style to your design.

Let your imagination run free when designing your challenge coins. It's all about making your coins distinctive and unique to your department.  You are in full control of every aspect of your challenge coin design. Your coin provider will work with you every step of the way to make your coins look just the way you want them to.

If you’re using coins to honor distinguished service, consider turning them into medallions. Your coin provider can add a ribbon to create custom medals you can award at public ceremonies.

Choose the Right Provider

A good supplier of custom coins can help you craft your coins or medallions. Choose one that is experienced in creating coins for public service agencies. Not all companies know the difference between a St. Florian’s cross and a Maltese cross.

A word about pricing – great custom coins are affordable. A good coin company can help you create outstanding coins within your budget.

You shouldn’t have to pay for artwork or revisions. Avoid any provider that wants to charge you for these basic functions. Deal only with providers who will ensure your coins will look exactly the way you want them to before production begins. Great providers will also offer free shipping within the continental United States as well.

Expect your coin provider to offer a solid guarantee on your coin purchase. If any coin is defective in workmanship or materials, you should be able to get a replacement made to the proper specifications at no extra charge. Beware of providers who won't back their work 100%.

In other words, you’re looking for ChallengeCoins4Less.com! We are your no-problem, one-stop supplier for outstanding quality custom challenge coins. We’ve been producing top quality coins for fire, police, and emergency medical services around the world for nearly 20 years. Our track record of success is just one indicator of our dedication to customer service. We don't want to make just one sale to you. We want to be your trusted provider now and in the future for all your custom challenge coin needs.

We know how much custom coins can mean to the members of your department. That’s why we’re committed to giving you only the best coins you can buy, at the lowest prices you’ll find anywhere. We refuse to be undersold. If you find a lower price on identical custom coins, let us know and we’ll match or beat it.

At ChallengeCoins4Less.com, we believe in treating our customers the way we want to be treated ourselves. That’s why we provide the highest quality customer service you’ll get anywhere. We stand behind every product we sell with our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.


Rick Cundiff

Rick Cundiff

Content Director, Blogger

Rick Cundiff spent 15 years as a newspaper journalist before joining TJM Promos. He has been researching and writing about custom challenge coins and other promotional products for more than 10 years. He believes in the Oxford comma, eradicating the word "utilize," and Santa Claus.