Challenge coins have a rich history in the military, law enforcement, and fire departments. But are they only for official organizations, with self-sacrificing members serving the community? Or are challenge coins actually a symbol for any hard working individual serving on a team?
If you’re considering creating a challenge coin for your organization, you may be wondering: who uses challenge coins?
The truth is, challenge coins are used by a wide variety of groups. From traditional military units to business corporations celebrating their staff, custom challenge coins are used as a way to strengthen bonds and recognize achievement; they help raise pride and bring everyone together, creating a unified group that is celebrated for their hard work and efforts.
At Irvin Hahn, we’ve spent decades designing custom challenge coins for police, fire departments, corporate organizations, teams, sports, non-profit groups, and more. Each coin tells a story—whether it’s celebrating bravery, honoring loyalty, or fostering unity within a group.
See how a challenge coin can inspire your organization and ask about a custom challenge coin design today.
What Are Challenge Coins
Challenge coins are small, custom-designed coins that typically feature a group’s insignia, motto, or emblem. They originated in the military as a way to identify members of a unit and reward acts of courage or service. Over the years, their use has expanded far beyond the armed forces to include groups, non-profits, teams, and more. Their symbolism inspires pride and unity in a team.
Challenge coins are usually metallic, with custom shapes, colors, and finishes that reflect the spirit of the organization. Unlike a certificate or a plaque, a challenge coin is portable, personal, and long-lasting. You can keep it in a wallet, displayed as a showpiece in your home, or any other way that feels important to you.
Why Organizations Choose Challenge Coins
The enduring popularity of challenge coins is in their balance of tradition and custom design. They can be formal or fun, commemorative or promotional, deeply personal or widely shared. For any organization, they’re a tangible way to show appreciation and strengthen identity.
A few of the ways you can use a challenge coin in your organization:
- Commemoration: Marking an event, anniversary, or achievement
- Recognition: Honoring service, dedication, or outstanding performance
- Unity: Creating a sense of identity and pride within a group
- Tradition: Passing down values and history through a keepsake
- Motivation: Inspiring individuals to continue striving toward excellence
Who Are Challenge Coins For
Challenge coins are not “for” anyone. If you’re looking to show appreciation for a team, create a symbol for everyone on your staff, or celebrate someone close to you, a challenge coin can be the perfect token to do so. However, if you’re looking for inspiration, see how different organizations use challenge coins today.
1. Military Organizations
The tradition of challenge coins began in the military, and they remain a cornerstone of service culture today. Each branch of the armed forces—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard—uses challenge coins.
For military personnel, receiving a coin from a commanding officer is often one of the most meaningful honors of their career.
- Identify unit membership
- Reward acts of bravery or excellence
- Recognize participation in missions or deployments
- Honor retirees and veterans
2. Police Departments
Police officers face challenges every day, and challenge coins offer a way to recognize that service. They are used to commend sacrifice, outstanding bravery, going above and beyond, and consistent loyal service over the decades.
Custom challenge coins for police departments often feature badges, department logos, or meaningful imagery tied to the community the officers serve. You can even include notable mottos or landmarks for the area of service. Example: Baltimore skyline.
- Celebrate years of service
- Retirement
- Acts of bravery or heroism
- Build camaraderie within specialized units (SWAT or K-9)
- Strengthen relationships with the community
3. Fire Departments
Firefighters dedicate their lives to protecting others, often at great personal risk. Fire department challenge coins are created to recognize that courage and sacrifice. A challenge coin can be a symbol that unites a department together and gives members a reminder of recognition and thanks where sometimes there may be very little.
- Recognize courage during emergency responses
- Commemorate significant fires, rescues, or anniversaries
- Unite crews and shifts
- Pay tribute to fallen firefighters
4. Corporations and Businesses
It may surprise you to learn that challenge coins aren’t limited to first responders or the military: many companies now use custom challenge coins for business as a part of their culture-building. Unlike generic awards, a custom challenge coin for a corporation reflects the company’s brand identity and mission, making it a lasting token of appreciation.
- Celebrate company anniversaries or milestones
- Recognize top-performing employees
- Serve as unique promotional items for clients and partners
- Boost morale and team pride
- Commemorate a large project well done or a team effort
5. Sports Teams
Athletes thrive on teamwork, dedication, and shared goals. Having a challenge coin as a symbol of their athleticism and dedication can be a driving force and a reminder of their achievements.
If you’re designing a custom challenge coin for a sports team, you can feature mascots, logos, or symbols to represent the spirit of the sport. Challenge coins for sports teams are prized keepsakes for both players and supporters.
- Celebrate championships or big wins
- Recognize team captains or standout players
- Strengthen team unity\
- Provide fans with collectible memorabilia
6. Schools and Universities
Schools, colleges, and universities increasingly embrace challenge coins as part of their traditions. Much like a class ring, a challenge coin for universities celebrates milestones, enrollment, and school pride.
For students, graduates, and family members alike, challenge coins for universities often become cherished reminders of achievements and experiences. Celebrate the student or class in your life today by ordering a custom challenge coin as part of their alumni memorabilia.
- Recognize academic excellence or leadership
- Reward student-athletes
- Celebrate graduation milestones
- Build alumni connections
- Unite a class, graduating year, or other university organization
7. Nonprofit Organizations
Nonprofit groups rely on community support and volunteer dedication in order to achieve their mission. Custom challenge coins for nonprofit groups play an important role in fostering community involvement.
You can order challenge coins for a nonprofit to provide a symbol of support to volunteers. And because challenge coins carry emotional significance, they’re especially powerful for organizations built around service and giving back.
- Recognize outstanding volunteers
- Celebrate major fundraising achievements
- Spread awareness of a cause
- Thank donors and sponsors
- Unite and foster nonprofit members for their sacrifice and teamwork
8. Government Agencies
Government agencies use challenge coins to recognize their staff and foster pride in their work – much like other organizations that invest in a custom challenge coin for their team. Custom challenge coins for government agencies not only honor employees but also highlight the important role team members and staff play in public service.
- Celebrate agency milestones
- Honor years of service
- Recognize staff achievements
- Build morale within specialized departments
Make Your Own Custom Challenge Coin with Irvin Hahn
At Irvin Hahn, we work closely with each client to design custom challenge coins for sports, organizations, non-profits, and more that embody your mission, values, and pride. Whether you’re a firehouse designing a memorial coin or a business celebrating a milestone, we help turn your vision into something lasting.
Challenge coins are for anyone who values unity, recognition, and tradition. From military units to sports teams, from corporations to nonprofits, they have become a versatile and meaningful way to celebrate achievements and build strong communities.
If you’re ready to design a challenge coin for your organization, Irvin Hahn is here to help. With decades of expertise and a commitment to quality craftsmanship, we’ll create a coin that reflects your story and stands the test of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do custom challenge coins cost?
The cost for a custom challenge coin for your organization depends on factors like size, shape, design complexity, and quantity. At Irvin Hahn, we’ll provide a quote tailored to your needs. Get in touch today.
Can I design my own custom challenge coin for my organization?
Yes! You can provide your own artwork, or our design team can help bring your ideas to life. Talk to us about unique mottos, symbols, logos, location landmarks, colors, and more. See custom challenge coins we’ve made.
Do only military groups use challenge coins?
Not at all. While challenge coins started in the military, today they are popular with police, fire departments, corporations, sports teams, nonprofits, and more. You can order one for your team today.
Why choose Irvin Hahn for custom challenge coins?
With our long history of serving military, public safety, and civilian organizations, we bring unmatched craftsmanship and attention to detail to every coin we produce. Our products are long-lasting, remain in good quality, and are easy to care for and display with pride.
Irvin H. Hahn
We are a family-owned business that takes pride in being an American manufacturer for over 120 years since 1898. Located in Baltimore, MD, we have six generations of experience making handcrafted badges, buckles, cap devices, collar insignia, and other insignia for law enforcement, fire departments, and other officials.
