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Coin Check: Military Challenge Coins Ranking, Explained

Do you ever wonder how military challenge coins are ranked? Well, wonder no more. Here’s a quick explanation of military challenge coins rankings.

Legend has it that military challenge coins were used as a form of identification by an elite flying squad in WWI.

But, it wasn’t until the Vietnam War that army challenge coins really took off. Since then, their popularity has steadily grown, and now, the coins are part of a challenge game.

Ever wonder, ‘what is a challenge coin?’

The ‘challenge’ of these coins is being able to present yours whenever a fellow group member requests a coin check. If you don’t have your coin, the drinks are on you. But, to decide whose coin is best, there are established challenge coin rankings that players must follow.

Find out where your army challenge coins rank in this guide.

Military Challenge Coins Rankings

The following ranking system is the deciding factor in who wins in a coin check:

Medal of Honor Recipient Coins

Some recipients of the Medal of Honor have challenge coins to give to troops and veterans.

Getting to shake the hand of a true American hero is impressive. But, if you’re also lucky enough to receive a Medal of Honor challenge coin, you’ll never have to buy a round in a coin check.

Just make sure to always have it on you!

Military School Coins

Alongside their diploma, many military school graduates receive a challenge coin.Γ‚ School coins take second place in the ranking system because of the effort it takes to receive one.

These challenge coins provide a sense of honor and membership, making them the perfect memento for an important event.

General Officer Coins

Most general officers buy challenge coins to give to their troops. And, as general officers are paid more than captains, their coins are usually higher quality.

The difficulty of getting one of these coins depends on the general officer. Some officers hand their coins out frequently, however, more often, you have to do something outstanding to receive a general officer coin.

Unit Coins

Unit commanders can commission coins with the unit’s insignia and hand them out to deserving troops. But, unit coins are also sub-ranked:

  • Branch Coins
  • Divisional Coins
  • Brigade Coins
  • Battalion Coins

Unit coins take fourth place in the rankings because they’re the most common army challenge coins.

Promotional Coins

To spread brand recognition, some companies commission branded military coins to give out to troops and veterans.

Promotional coins only count if they are from a military-related company, or were given out during a military event or installation.

Exceptions to Challenge Coin Rankings

As the highest-ranking challenge coin, a Medal of Honor challenge coin can’t be beaten. But, there is some flexibility over other rankings if the whole group agrees that the coin meets the following criteria:

Best Design

A coin with a great design can overcome its lower rank. For example, if a unit coin is well-crafted or unique, it could beat an uninspiring military school coin.

Best Backstory

All challenge coins tell a story. If there is an impressive story behind your challenge coin, it could beat a higher-ranking coin.

How to Rank Military Challenge Coins

Now that you know the hierarchy of military challenge coins, you can attempt to avoid paying for drinks at your next coin check!

Check out our ordering guide to commission your own challenge coins, or contact us for a price quote.

5 Tips for Designing a Custom Medal for Your Event

Thinking about utilizing a custom medal for your next event? Check out these tips to help you design one that your recipients will love!

Everyone loves getting trophies and medals, right? Getting a physical reminder of an event you took part in is a great feeling. But sometimes designing those prizes can seem complicated. How do you make your medals stand out? Is a really unusual design too much? Maybe keeping it traditional is better for your event. Trying to design a custom medal that will make your event memorable shouldn’t be that complicated though!

Here are 5 tips we think may help you put that final touch on that every single one of your recipients will love.

1. Know Who Your Audience Is

The most important tip on designing a custom medal is knowing who your recipients are. Is this event raising money for a particular charity? Maybe it’s for an annual sporting event.

Big events draw a lot of people. You will want to choose a design that is common to all of them. And will remind them of or your organization.

2. Focus On Your Community

Since a lot of different people will be involved in your event, focusing on your community will help you narrow down your custom medal’s design.

What brings you all together? Finding the relevant, common interest for your community is going to be a great feature in your medal.

You want your event to be remembered. But you also want your home to be remembered as well.

The 2018 Winter Olympics did this. Their medals unusual designs were meant to resemble the trees found in Korea.

These medals called to mind Korean traditions and values. As well as Olympic traditions as well. This design was simple. But it is one that will be remembered for a long time.

3. A Little Nostalgia Goes a Long Way

A custom medal is a great way to reminisce about your event. A little bit of nostalgia will help make your event great.

One way to do this is to incorporate bright colors into your designs. These kinds of designs could call to mind childhood talent shows. Or maybe a Little League baseball game.

Or maybe call to mind the classic military challenge coins in your medals. These designs are timeless and traditional.

A fun and important event deserves to be remembered.

And your recipients will love a medal that helps them remember that fun time.

4. Modernize Your Custom Medal Design

On the flip side of traditional, are the more modern style medals many organizations love.

Unusual medal colors, cutouts and brightly colored ribbons can help modernize your custom medal. Paying attention to trends in design and color choices may help you create a truly unusual and memorable medal.

5. Keep Your Ribbons Sturdy

When designing your medals make sure you do not skimp on your ribbons. Having a sturdy ribbon will ensure your medals last for a long time.

Ribbons don’t have to be boring either. Choosing a color to match your medal is a great way to incorporate a timeless and fun look into your design.

Choose the Right Medal for Your Event

Medal designs can be timeless and unusual. They should bring to mind your event. And your community in one glance.

With our help, we will help you design a medal every single one of your recipients will remember and love for years to come.

Contact us for information on pricing and the order process.


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