Navy Challenge Coins Commemorate Naval Service

Navy challenge coins are a standard icon of Navy life, from SECNAV down to the newest sailor. And no wonder. They promote camaraderie and a sense of belonging to something special.

The U.S. Navy surely is something special. From its founding in 1775 to today, the Navy has protected the United States and the world from those who would deny us freedom. Custom challenge coins are an outstanding way to commemorate the vital role the Navy has played in keeping our nation and others free. 

A Brief History of Navy Challenge Coins

Navy challenge coins hold a special place in the hearts of sailors and veterans. Challenge coins are symbolic mementos that embody their unwavering dedication and commitment to duty. Continuing a tradition that traces back to World War I, challenge coins represent the profound bond shared by Navy personnel and the great pride they hold in their service. 

Custom challenge coins originated in World War I, in the Army Air Corps. Although Navy coins haven’t been common for nearly as long, historians indicate they have been a part of naval life for more than 50 years. And there’s no question that they are just as meaningful to sailors as they are to members of the other military branches.

Regardless of when Navy coins got their start, they quickly became popular among all ranks. Many historians agree that these coins began to really grow in popularity during Operation Desert Storm in the 1990s. The coins were presented to sailors to build morale and camaraderie.

The Meaning of Navy Challenge Coins

Navy challenge coins acknowledge one's membership in a group. Coins can commemorate ships, units, tours of duty, and more.

Challenge coins represent a bond that develops among sailors. Members of a unit may receive coins from a superior during their service to honor that bond or celebrate an extraordinary accomplishment. The coins become keepsakes to remind recipients of specific times, places, events and people in their lives. Many people keep them for the rest of their lives, even passing them on to other family members through the years.

Designing Navy Challenge Coins

The imagery and artwork of Navy coins will vary with each design. Some include the Navy logo, while others feature the name of a unit, base, mascot, or use patriotic images and motivational sayings. Challenge coins say a lot, and they mean a lot to those who receive them.

With a little planning, it’s easy to create outstanding Navy challenge coins. Start by considering what you want your coins to depict. Are you commemorating a specific deployment, a battle, a particular vessel? Choose images and shapes that represent that specific thing.

Next, think about the metal color you want for your custom challenge coins. We offer your choice of gold, silver, brass, copper or black nickel, in either polished or antiqued finishes. Duotone coins combine two metal colors for a unique, striking look.

Challenge Coin Shapes, Sizes and Style

Challenge coins are a bit larger than the coins used for currency. The extra space enables you to incorporate detailed design features, adding to their visual appeal and collectability. They are, however, still small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and easy to carry in your pocket.

Obviously, the size of your coin will affect the price. Pricing is based on size of the challenge coins and on the number ordered. All other things being equal, the larger the coin, the more it costs. On the other hand, the more coins you order, the lower the cost per coin.

Custom coins are most commonly round, but you’re not limited to just that shape. We can craft challenge coins in virtually any shape you can imagine. Whether it’s an aircraft carrier, a submarine, a helicopter, a fighter jet or just about anything else, we can create custom challenge coins in that shape.

Options

Custom options enable you to craft Navy coins that are truly unique. Diamond-cut edges add sparkle and dramatic appeal. Add color to one or both sides of your coins to create a one-of-a-kind look that represents your unit, squad, crew or ship. To create a sense of unity among recipients, add sequential numbering to create a limited edition. Your coin provider can advise you of other options to make your custom Navy coins really stand out.

Obtaining Navy Challenge Coins

You can obtain Navy challenge coins in several different ways. The most traditional way is to earn one while on active or reserve Naval duty. That requires hard work and dedication, which makes receive a coin even more rewarding. 

You can also get Navy challenge coins by becoming a collector. Many veterans, active members, and civilians collect Navy coins as a hobby. Whether online or in person, meeting fellow challenge coin enthusiasts is a great way to make new friends and build an impressive collection.

If you truly want to celebrate your own or others Navy service, you can order custom coins and give them to fellow sailors and/or veterans. Honor your shipmates with custom coins that commemorate the deployments, ports of call, special duties or battles you shared. 

The True Value of Navy Challenge Coins

Navy challenge coins are a unique way of recognizing and honoring the dedication, achievements, and camaraderie within the Navy community. These coins are a symbol of pride and a reminder of the Navy's rich traditions and values. Their importance extends beyond mere collectibles. They embody the ethos and heritage of the Navy.
 
At ChallengeCoins4Less.com, we take pride in celebrating our armed forces. We are committed to producing the highest quality designs. 

The bottom line when you’re ordering challenge coins is experience. We have 20 years’ experience bringing our creativity, precision, and attention to detail to every step of the design and production process. The result is coins that honor the Navy's legacy, coins you can be proud to give, display or carry.

Whether want to create a completely new design or reproduce an existing one, count on our graphic artists. We’ll help you craft the perfect design for your needs. You can depend on ChallengeCoins4Less.com for all your Navy challenge coin needs.