Every challenge coin company out there offers a full variety of metal finishes that you, the customer, can choose for your custom coins. You’ve seen the gold, the silver, and even all the antiqued finishes all over the place. However, have you considered the much less utilized black nickel finish? This metal is absolutely, without a doubt, the most under ordered finish. I’d have to say not only from Challenge Coins Direct, but from all the manufacturers.
Admittedly, it doesn’t look great on all coin designs, but for most the black nickel would be right at home and add some real character to your project. It would be best described as a sort of gun metal appearance – not quite all silver, but certainly not black metal either. It does have a shine to it when you hold your challenge coin in the light, but it is subdued and very complimentary towards custom military challenge coins.
We offer a sample picture of this finish to the left, and on the challenge coin pricing page of our website because this color is extremely difficult to Proof when we send your coin design over to you. Unlike gold and silver, which are quite easy to show you what the finished product will look like, black nickel is nearly impossible to replicate thru a digital proof.
Form our experience, an entire coin with no color fills at all is difficult to make look good. Black metal can change all that because it is so unique, especially in 3D formats. When you want to avoid the gold tones, but don’t desire for the coin to flashy silver – this just may be the right choice for you – and best of all there is no up charge for this selection. Ask your representative if black nickel plating would be “right” for your design. We can almost instantly advise on the best metal color choice given your design elements to make your challenge coins unique.
A perfect example of a custom coin manufactured in the form of a unique shape can be seen by taking a look at the recent Citadel Air Force ROTC Detachment 765 Challenge Coins. By using the characteristic shape of the symbolic building itself and red/white checkerboard quad inside each of the five barracks on location, the coin is immediately recognizable by staff, cadets, and alumni. Personalized elements are then included to specifically recognize ROTC Detachment 765.
The coins are minted at 2.75″ in antiqued silver metal at 4mm thickness. This is a full millimeter thicker than standard coins and will surely turn heads upon being presented. Furthermore, one hundred of the 220 coins were numbered sequentially as an identifying mark to it’s owner.
Today, custom coins are popular with sports teams, universities, charity organizations, businesses and schools. They inspire a particular group to work well as a team and value the other members. They are also a good marketing tool for businesses and as a reward for a job well done.
