A us dod Tradition.
Department of Defense Challenge Coins
Custom Coins That Honor Service
The United States Department of Defense employs over 3 million people worldwide. Over 450,000 thousand of them are in foreign territory either at sea or on land managing United States facilities and installations and running Department of Defense operations. Coordinating the massive amount of manpower and numerous sub-departments that make up the Department of Defense takes careful planning, experienced leaders, and a budget unrivaled by any single organization in the United States Government.
419.3 billion dollars are allocated to the Department of Defense and divided up into the many organization and sub-departments that form the structure of our Nation’s defensive force. The President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense spearhead the entire organization whose main components are:
United States Government challenge coins and military challenge coins are a traditional and essential organizational instrument for motivating staff, building unity, and instilling pride in country and in service.
Department of Defense challenge coins exemplify the organization’s core values of duty, integrity, ethics, honor, courage, and loyalty. As the largest employer of Americans in the United States, there are plenty of opportunities to use Department of Defense challenge coins to honor the excellent service and bravery of the Nation’s defenders. Some work in offices and others on the front lines, but each is dedicated to the same mission: to provide a lethal Joint Force to defend the security of our country and sustain American influence abroad.
We make creating custom challenge coins easy!
But we would prefer you hear it directly from other customers 😉
Department of Defense Headquarters
The Pentagon has three times more floor space than the empire state building, covering over 17 miles of corridor space alone. It is one of the largest office buildings in the world and has been officially declared as a National Historical Landmark. As headquarters to the Department of Defense, the Pentagon is run by some of the most influential and indispensable military and civilian personnel.
Over 26,000 people work in the Pentagon every day. Each person spends their time studying, planning, and implementing defense operations and dedicating themselves to national security. It is a historic and powerful place in which every U.S. military and defense operation goes through before being put into action. Those brave men and women who staff the headquarters of the Department of Defense deserve recognition for their devotion to protecting the American people.
Signature Coins can make custom Department of Defense challenge coins with designs of the historic Pentagon as well as team specific imagery like important anniversary dates, designations, or team mottos and goals. Challenge coins reinforce the values of the Defense Department and reward leadership. They can be used to distinguish members of staff that set the standard for excellence or to commemorate important feats and team achievements. Get started with your custom coins today!
Army Coin Gallery
N.D. National Guard
This cut to shape coin for the North Dakota National Guard includes the sapper castle that's so common is Army challenge coins.
2nd Battalion 501st Aviation Unit Challenge Coin
This Desert Knights Army challenge coin makes great use of a 3D coin mold to get as much unique detail as possible. This 3D challenge coin even makes use of glow in the dark enamel for the knights eyes!
United States Army Special Forces Command - Front
As the largest military base in the United States, Fort Bragg has a huge demand for custom coins. These Fort Bragg challenge coins were created for the United States Army Special Forces Command, and we've created different designs for teams spread across the entire base.
2nd Battalion 501st Aviation Unit Challenge Coin Side 2
This Desert Knights Army challenge coin makes great use of a 3D coin mold to get as much unique detail as possible. This 3D challenge coin even makes use of glow in the dark enamel for the knights eyes!
US Army Corps of Engineers Front 3D
3D and translucent blue lake with scallop edges.
3D Skull Translucent
This E-CO2-10 AHB REGULATORS #Challengecoin is dual plated with black nickel as the base, and coated with high polish gold in the center. The gold can be seen through the translucent enamel and the stars of the american flag.
6th Squadron 1st Cavalry
Adding enamel on top of a 3D design isn't always an option. That's why this antique silver coin uses a 3D mold on the front, but is 2D on the back to make room for the colorfills.
United Statest Army Garrison Fort Irwin - USAG
This cut to shape Army challenge coin might not make use of many colors or upgrade options, but it's a great example of the way changing the shape of your coin creates a completely new effect.
United Statest Army Garrison Fort Irwin - USAG Side 2
This cut to shape Army challenge coin might not make use of many colors or upgrade options, but it's a great example of the way changing the shape of your coin creates a completely new effect.
Army National Guard Commander Coin
This gold challenge coin was created to celebrate the men and women of the Wyoming National Guard Fire Brigade. It's a simple design, but shows how the one section of a coin with colorfill can strongly stand out against the coin's plating.
Spartan Helmet Bottle Opener Challenge Coin
This cut to shape bottle opener coin uses the natural contours of the helmet it's designed after to hide a bottle opener in plain sight.
US Army Reserve Challenge Coin
This U.S. Army Reserve coin is a perfect example of how well gold plating mixes with green enamel. It's also proof you don't have to choose between raised and recessed text.
TrainOurTroops Challenge Coin
Combining black metal and gold metal in the same design creates a striking effect. Due to the difference in production for black metal and gold metal coins, combing these two plating styles will add to the production time of your order.
Q-West Iraq Challenge Coin
Creating a shield-shaped challenge coins design is a great way to break from tradition and make something that stands out from the crowd. These Army coins include different team logos and emblems in a way that's almost reminiscent of an ancient coat of arms.
TrainOurTroops Challenge Coin
Creating a 3D challenge coin is one of the best ways to make larger than life artwork, and when you put a 3D design on an oversized 3" coin like this, you're sure to make a lasting impression.
728th Construction Management Team
The Sapper Castle is a common sight for Army challenge coins. Whether the entire coin is shaped like the castle or the castle is just featured on the coin somewhere, those red towers are immediately familiar. This cut to shape coin uses its space well to convey the purpose of the coin, the names of important recipients and important symbols and rank insignia.
728th Construction Management Team Side 2
The Sapper Castle is a common sight for Army challenge coins. Whether the entire coin is shaped like the castle or the castle is just featured on the coin somewhere, those red towers are immediately familiar. This cut to shape coin uses its space well to convey the purpose of the coin, the names of important recipients and important symbols and rank insignia.
720th EOD 2nd PLT Bottle Opener Challenge Coin - closed
720th EOD 2nd PLT Bottle Opener Challenge Coin - closed
720th EOD 2nd PLT Bottle Opener Challenge Coin - opened
720th EOD 2nd PLT Bottle Opener Challenge Coin - opened
Camp Buehring Challenge Coin
This Army challenge coin uses high polish gold plating as little more than an accent on the front, allowing the green enamel to take center stage. The back, however, gives over much of its space to let the gold shine.
Camp Buehring Challenge Coin Side 2
This Army challenge coin uses high polish gold plating as little more than an accent on the front, allowing the green enamel to take center stage. The back, however, gives over much of its space to let the gold shine.
27th Infantry Reunion Commemorative Coin
Our oblique line upgraded edge frames this Army challenge coin. The antique silver plating and simple black colorfill also help the 3D design to pop.
27th Infantry Reunion Commemorative Challenge Coin Side 2
Our oblique line upgraded edge frames this Army challenge coin. The antique silver plating and simple black colorfill also help the 3D design to pop.
USS Ronald Reagan Media Department Challenge Coin
Iridescent plating is one of the more rare custom challenge coin options we see. It creates a unique rainbow effect that can turn any type of custom coin design into something unforgettable.
Commander Challenge Coin Awarded For Excellence
The translucent green enamel on this Army challenge coin has a subtle shimmer to it thanks to the high polish gold plating shining through from underneath. Translucent colors pair best with reflective metal plating options like high polish gold, silver or copper.
Pentagon FBI Challenge Coin
This coin, created by the FBI, makes use of our upgraded oblique line edge option, and high polish silver plating. The red, white and blue colorfill really pop off the silver coin, and the addition of sequential number engraving helps each coin to be one-of-a-kind.
Army Stormtrooper Helmet Challenge Coin
Star Wars challenge coins are created by members of the 501st Legion for all kinds of reasons, including supporting our Nation's troops. Different versions of this stormtrooper helmet coin were created for members of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Marine Corps.
Alpha Company Challenge Coin
Including cut outs in a design is a great way to make artwork that stands out from the crowd. These Army unit coins have a unique Viking design at the center that is framed with cut outs at the top and bottom of the artwork.
Odin's Ravens Challenge Coin
Odin, king of the Norse gods, is flanked by his ravens at the center of this custom shaped challenge coin design. A lot of the military challenge coins we help design find inspiration from the ancient warriors from Norse and Greek mythology.
Massachusetts National Guard Challenge Coin
This Army National Guard challenge coin has a classic design that pays homage to the history of the service. A clear coating of epoxy was added over the surface to protect the artwork, giving the coins a smooth texture.
Blue Ridge Honor Flight Challenge Coin
Honor Flight is one of many military charities that we've had the pleasure to work with. While something like an Army unit coin is designed for a specific team of soldiers, this coin was designed to honor the service of veterans from all branches of service.
Army Special Forces Challenge Coin
Choosing a custom shape for your challenge coins is a great way to make the design more exciting for a team. This arrowhead-shaped coin was designed to look like the Army's 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) patch.
Army Special Forces Challenge Coin Side 2
Choosing a custom shape for your challenge coins is a great way to make the design more exciting for a team. This arrowhead-shaped coin was designed to look like the Army's 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) patch.
30th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion Challenge Coin
This Army coin perfectly makes use of its red, white and blue colorfill and antique gold plating for a great contrast. The recessed lettering around the coin edge is another unique touch.
NATO Resolute Support Challenge Coin Side 2
The flags on this NATO coin make use of our silkscreen printing option to make sure we can capture as much detail in such a small space as possible.
U.S. Army Special Forces
This U.S. Army Special Forces challenge coin lets the artwork do all of the talking. No text is included on the front of the coin, and the only text on the back isn't in English.
NATO Resolute Support Challenge Coin
The flags on this NATO coin make use of our silkscreen printing option to make sure we can capture as much detail in such a small space as possible.
264th Engineer Clearance Company Challenge Coin back
264th Engineer Clearance Company Challenge Coin back
264th Engineer Clearance Company Challenge Coin front
264th Engineer Clearance Company Challenge Coin front
US Army Veterinary Corps Challenge Coin Front
US Army Veterinary Corps Challenge Coin Front
XVIII Airborne Corps Challenge Coin front
XVIII Airborne Corps Challenge Coin front
XVIII Airborne Corps Challenge Coin back
XVIII Airborne Corps Challenge Coin back
117th Congress Army Challenge Coin - front
117th Congress Army Challenge Coin - front
The Commander in Chief and the Leader of the Department of Defense
The President of the United States, along with the Secretary of Defense and National Security Council, determines the defensive needs of the nation and implements actions that will provide the best possible results. Challenge coins have long been a tradition for the office of the Commander in Chief.
Since President Bill Clinton was in office, each president has had a custom presidential challenge coin minted that they use during their term in office. The coins are handed out as keepsakes by the president himself, usually through a subtle handshake. The informality of the exchange adds even more to the personal nature of the challenge coins. It is not so much about ceremony, but more of a small gift bestowed on those who have earned recognition through courage, accomplishment, or character.
As leader of the Defense Department, the acting president sets the example in use of custom Defense Department challenge coins as tokens of appreciation, acknowledgment, and inclusion within a chosen group of individuals working tirelessly to defend our nation!
Defense Department Challenge Coins and Where To Use Them
The Department of Defense is incredibly diversified with branches spread across all corners of the globe. There are all sorts of positions to fill and expertise needed to excel in the long array of institutions. While everyone working in the Defense Department is aligned towards the same goals and molded by the same values, each team is staffed by unique individuals whose differences should be celebrated.
Custom challenge coins are extremely versatile and can work in any team setting. Custom designs incorporate the small, seemingly insignificant, difference that set teams apart. These subtleties are where the character and spirit of a team truly lie. Incorporating team related artwork, designations, important dates, or information of individual team members add to the personal value of the coins and encourages an emotional connection.
For members of the military and each division within the Defence Department, it can sometimes be easy to feel insignificant working within such an enormous military defense organization. Custom Department of Defense challenge coins remind team members of their value and their influence within the organization. They promote feelings of self-worth and pride in country and in service.
Department of Defense challenge coins can be designed for teams and groups within all branches of the organization.
These organizations, and every other organization within the Department of Defense, can benefit from custom challenge coins. Take a look at some of the coins Signature Coins has designed for our past clients in our coins gallery to get an idea of what we have to offer!
Custom Department of Defence challenge coins can also be designed for building team unity, motivating service members, and commemorating organizational achievements within the Combatant Commands all over the world. The unified commanders have geographic and sometimes worldwide areas of responsibility and are the direct link form military forces to the President and Secretary of Defense. The combatant commands that can benefit from unique Department of Defense challenge coins are:
- Northern Command
- European Command
- Central Command
- Southern Command
- Pacific Command
- Africa Command
- Strategic Command
- Special Operations Command
- Transportation Command
Guaranteed Quality And Service
The United States Department of Defense operates on a scale unrivaled on the world stage. It takes precision, tantamount organization, and a determined spirit to perform under the pressures of upholding the national securing of the United States. The courageous men and women who form every segment of the Department of Defense deserve acclaim for their commitment and gratitude for their accomplishments.
The actions of each member of the Defense Department reflect on the organization as a whole. Therefore, each member of the organization upholds a strict code of conduct, adhering to professionalism and ethics so as to properly exemplify the incredible service and standard of the Defense Department. Custom Department of Defense challenge coins are the personification of the organization's core values of duty, integrity, ethics, honor, courage, and loyalty. They inspire those people that carry them to perform at their best and remind each person of their influence, their worth, and their indispensable service.
Signature Coins has been crafting unique military challenge coins and Department of Defense challenge coins for over 15 years. We take pride in our work and exercise particular care when designing and manufacturing custom challenge coins for the remarkable service men and women who dedicate their lives to the defense of our Nation. Ensuring that our coins do justice in representing their sacrifices, their courage, and their achievements is our priority.
We aim to provide the best customer service and industry standard quality with all of our products and services. On every order, we include competitive services like:
Ready To Get Started?
When you are ready to proceed, use the convenient Order Form on our site to place your challenge coin order.