Unconventional Uses of Challenge Coins

One of the best aspects of challenge coins is their versatility. They can be used to celebrate membership, commemorate business milestones, reward personal accomplishments and much more.

While military units and first responders such as police, fire and EMS departments are among the biggest fans of custom coins, there are plenty of other uses for challenge coins that you might not have thought of.

The Role of Challenge Coins

Challenge coins originated in the military more than a century ago. They’ve become a welcome aspect of military life, a way to recognize outstanding performance, honor milestones such as boot camp graduation, and raise morale.

As former military members joined agencies that have a military-style hierarchy such as police and fire departments, they introduced the concept of challenge coins to those departments as well.

Today, businesses, schools, nonprofit groups and many others have adopted custom coins as a way to celebrate their members, increase brand awareness and commemorate accomplishments.

Innovative Uses for Custom Coins

You’re no doubt familiar with the myriad ways custom coins can be used to increase brand presence and motivate employees. They’re staples of award presentations, trade show booths and conferences. Employees receive them for exemplary performance, new product introductions and milestone anniversaries with the organization.

There are other events and situations that challenge coins are ideal for. Let’s take a look at some unconventional ways to use challenge coins to provide people with memorable and meaningful experiences.

Escape Rooms and Puzzle Hunts

In the last few years, escape rooms and puzzle hunts have become incredibly popular entertainment. They’re a way for friends to get together and cooperatively use their logic skills and imaginations to solve a puzzle within a set period of time. They’re a fun way to share an adventure.

Challenge coins are a natural to use as clues in escape rooms, where any aspect of the room can be a key to solving the puzzle. A simple coin lying on a table can yield information or access.

It’s easy to imprint clues directly on the face of a coin, of course, but they don’t necessarily have to be an obvious word, number or phrase. Use a code that requires a decoder card or chart elsewhere in the room to read. Create a design that looks normal under room light, but reveals a symbol only with the lights off or under a blacklight in the room.

You can also use challenge coins as a literal key. A slot or indentation that a coin fits into can open a lock to reveal clues.

Podcast Merch and Rewards

Podcasters can use challenge coins in multiple ways to build their audience and reward listeners. They’re a great way to celebrate your most loyal fans.

For example, you can sell limited edition coins to commemorate a specific episode or series. Make them a limited edition and you’ll drive collector enthusiasm.

Limited editions are also a great way to reward sponsors or Patreon members for supporting the podcast. You can offer them at tiered reward levels, with a different design at each level, or even as a full set for top backers.

Common design styles often incorporate something from the podcast that marks the recipient as a regular listener, an “insider” who knows the repeating phrases and running jokes the hosts refer to. It’s a badge of membership in the podcast’s social world.

For live events or meetups, use custom coins as an admission token. Offer anyone who shows a coin early entry, VIP seating or other perks. Your most loyal fans will love it.

Groundbreakings and Dedications

Starting construction of a new building, park or other project is a momentous occasion. Celebrate the groundbreaking with custom coins that reflect the project. Include a rendering of the completed project on the front, the date and dignitaries present on the back and you have a memento those attending will appreciate.

Dedications are another ideal setting for challenge coins. The opening of a new museum, theater, business, monument, attraction or civic facility is worth commemorating with coins that reflect the community’s newest addition. Be sure to include the date!

Designing Unconventional Coins

If you’re ordering coins for an unconventional use, don’t be afraid to think differently in your design. Go for colorful art, maybe even a 3D design. Try a custom shape and size. Consider cutouts, custom edges, bold colors, even turning your coins into bottle openers. Anything out of the ordinary earns attention.

For more design tips, take a look at our Coin Design Guide. It’s a step-by-step review of everything you need to know.

Where to Begin

That’s easy – with a call or email to us! We’ll work with you to craft a design you can be proud of, no matter what occasion, event or purpose it’s for. If you already have a design you’re considering, that’s great. Fill out our no-obligation Free Quote form and we’ll respond promptly with a free digital proof of your design.

Not quite sure what you want your design to look like? That’s OK, too. We’ll help you create a design that perfectly fits your needs. We don’t charge for revisions, so you can experiment with your design until it looks just the way you want it to. We won’t begin production until you approve the design.

Why Order From Us?

To steal a phrase from Tina Turner, we’re simply the best. We’ve been crafting custom coins for customers around the world for 2 decades. We have the experience and the knowledge to create the best looking coins you’ll find anywhere. We’ve earned a reputation for excellent products, outstanding prices and friendly, responsive customer service.

We also back everything we sell with our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Should you find any coin you purchase from us to be defective in either materials or workmanship, we’ll replace it at no extra cost to you.

Let us show you how easy it is to order custom challenge coins for any purpose. Call us today at (855) 272-8451, or email us. We’re here to serve all of your custom coin needs.