Solution · fire and first responders

Custom Fire Department Challenge Coins

A 75-coin run fits a single shift, a volunteer company or one recruit class: quoted at the 50–99
tier per order, plus a one-time $150–$300 3D mold fee, shipping in 18–25 days. At 150 coins the
published band applies — $3.50–$4.20 per piece, $525–$630 for the run. Minimum order is 50. Antique
bronze with a reeded edge is the usual spec.

How much do fire department challenge coins cost?

It depends on the run size, and we tell you which tier you are in before you commit. A 150-coin
department annual order sits in the 100–299 band we publish: $3.50–$4.20 per piece, so $525–$630 for
the goods, plus the mold once at $150–$300 for 3D relief. A 75-coin run for one shift or a volunteer
company sits in the 50–99 tier, quoted per order and confirmed in writing before you commit. The mold is the same die either way, which is exactly why small runs
are viable here when they are not at suppliers who waive tooling only at 300 pieces.

What is the minimum order for a volunteer department?

50 pieces — the real minimum, not a marketing number. Volunteer companies, single shifts and
recruit classes usually land at 50–75; a multi-station issue can reach 300. If several stations want
the same coin with different station numbers on the back, that is one die with individual laser
engraving, not three molds. When the buying group is a union or association rather than the
department itself, the order is theirs — subject to the design-authorization rule below.

Can you reproduce our department seal?

Only with written permission from the organization that owns it. We do not reproduce official
fire-department or government seals, marks or names without that authorization, and we do not copy
another department's coin because someone liked the look. When you hold the rights — or the
department signs off — we redraw the seal as production line art for free and match it on the proof.
When you don't, we design from artwork you own: a firefighter's own sketch of a Maltese cross, a
helmet silhouette, a station patch redrawn with permission.

What artwork works well on a fire coin?

The traditions of the trade all survive die casting well: the Maltese cross as the outer contour,
a helmet or engine silhouette as the centre relief, a shield shape with the station number, flames
rendered as raised metal rather than enamel. Give the centre element 1.5–2 mm of relief on a 3D die,
keep lettering at or above 1.5 mm after plating, and hold the palette to six enamel colors or fewer.
A photo of the station patch on a phone is enough to start — we redraw it and return a proof within
24 hours.

Do you offer glow-in-the-dark enamel?

Yes, as a non-standard fill: phosphorescent powder blended into the enamel, charged by ambient
light. Brightness and glow duration vary with the color and the fill area, so we treat it as a
sample-first option — it goes on the physical sample before it goes on 150 coins. The adder is
quoted with your order rather than listed, because it depends on how much of the face glows.

How do memorial coins differ from a regular department coin?

A memorial piece usually carries one dominant face — the portrait, the badge, the date — with the
back reserved for a name, dates and a line of text, and no sequential numbering. Individual laser
engraving is handled coin by coin, which adds 2–3 days, and the schedule reserves 3–5 days of
transit after dispatch so the pieces are in hand before the ceremony. We handle memorial orders
with no rush upselling and no mockups shared outside the project; tell us the date and we work
backwards from it.

Fire department coin runs by size
Run size	Who orders it	Usual spec	Unit price	Mold (one-time)
50–75	One shift, volunteer company, recruit class	2" (50mm), antique bronze, reeded edge	Request quote	$150–300
150	Department annual coin	2" two-sided, 3D centre relief	$3.50–$4.20	$150–300
300	Multi-station issue	2" two-sided, soft enamel	Request quote	$150–300
500+	Association or memorial event	2" or 2.5" (63mm), two-sided	Request quote	$150–300

Can a local union or association order without department approval?

Yes — the purchasing party is whoever places and pays for the order. The boundary is design
rights, not budget source: if the coin carries the department seal, name or marks, we need written
authorization from the organization that owns them. An association logo, a union local's own emblem
or original artwork needs no department sign-off. When in doubt, ask us — the authorization email
takes five minutes and prevents a reprint.

How fast can you turn around a ceremony date?

Standard production is 18–25 days from written approval of the digital proof, plus 3–5 days in
transit to the US or 5–8 to Canada. The one dependency we control tightly is proof speed: the free
digital proof arrives within 24 hours of your artwork, and approving it within 48 hours keeps the
whole calendar honest. A rush option is quoted before you commit and confirmed per order —
if your date makes it necessary, we confirm it is real before you commit, not after.

Fire department coin FAQs

Can we order 50 coins for a single station?

Yes — 50 is the real minimum, not a marketing number. A 50-piece run carries a higher unit price because the die and setup are spread over fewer pieces; it is quoted per project within 24 hours, and we say so up front instead of hiding it in the quote.

Do you make memorial coins for a line-of-duty death?

We do, and we treat those orders with care: no rush upselling, no
mockups shared outside the project, and proof approval handled by one named contact. Tell us the
date you need them in hand and we will work backwards from it.

Is the Maltese cross a problem for trademark?

The generic shape is widely used, but specific department insignia,
seals and names are owned by the organization. Send written permission from the department or
association and we will reproduce it. Without permission we redraw from artwork you own.

Can we combine coins and capsules in one order?

Yes. Coin plus acrylic capsule plus velvet pouch ships as one order,
one freight bill and one delivery window. Capsule and pouch pricing is quoted with your order,
each on its own line.

Can we combine coins and challenge coin capsules in one order?

Yes. Coin plus acrylic capsule plus velvet pouch ships as one order, one freight bill and one delivery window. Capsule and pouch pricing is quoted per order.

Get a fire department coin quote
See the published price bands before you commit