Solution · departments and academies

Custom Police Challenge Coins for Departments and Academies

A 150-coin run costs $525–$630 at $3.50–$4.20 per piece, plus a one-time $150–$300 3D mold fee, and
takes 18–25 days. Minimum order is 50. On a police coin, the three things people judge are crest
relief, edge pattern and whether the back text still reads after plating.

How much do 150 police challenge coins cost?

150 is the classic department annual coin, and it lands in the 100–299 tier — the only quantity
band we publish: $3.50–$4.20 per piece for a 2" two-sided enamel coin, so the goods run $525–$630.
Add the mold once — $150–$300 for a 3D relief die, $80–$150 if the crest works as a flat 2D cut — and
you have the whole production bill. Presentation pieces are quoted per order: acrylic capsules, velvet
pouches and display boxes each appear as their own line. The 50–99 tier (one academy class) is quoted
per order; the small-batch practice in writing is that 50–99 pricing is quoted per order and confirmed before you commit. Freight and duties are quoted separately, itemized, under HS code 8306.30.

What is the minimum order for a department coin?

50 pieces per design. The common landing spots: 50–75 for one academy class, 150 for an annual
department coin, 300 when several stations or shifts draw from one issue, and 500–1,000 for
association events and retirements. Two departments can split a shared order — two crests at 75
pieces each — but each crest needs its own die, so the quote shows two mold fees and shared freight.
It is still usually cheaper than two separate orders.

Can you match a coin we already issue?

Yes, and it is the fastest path. Send front and back photos of the current coin on a plain
background, plus a spare physical coin if you have one, and we match diameter, thickness, plating and
edge before quoting a new die. One rule is absolute: we do not reproduce a design without written
permission from the organization that owns it. If the department authorizes the reproduction, we
match it; if not, we redraw from artwork the ordering party owns.

What relief depth and thickness should a department coin be?

A flat, sticker-like crest is the most common disappointment in department coins, so we correct it
before quoting: the centre element should carry 1.5–2 mm of sculpted relief on a 3D die. Thickness
2.5 mm is the floor for a coin that reads as issued; 3–4 mm suits full 3D relief or hinged
constructions. Relief and thickness are the two specs that make a coin feel like equipment rather
than a promotional item, and they cost less than most buyers expect — the 3D die premium is inside
the $150–$300 mold band, not the unit price.

Which plating and edge do departments pick?

Antique finishes — bronze, gold, silver — plus black nickel carry the "already issued" look and
hide the handling marks a carried coin collects; bright gold and silver read ceremonial and suit
presentation sets. The edge default is reeded, which survives pocket carry and hides rim wear; rope
and cross-cut are quoted on request. Plating and edge adders are confirmed with your quote rather
than estimated, because they vary with the design's recess depth.

Department coin specs — what each detail is worth
Detail	Why it matters	What we specify	Cost impact
Crest relief	Flat crest reads as a sticker; 1.5–2 mm reads as issued	3D mold, 1.5–2 mm on the centre element	3D mold $150–$300, one-time
Edge pattern	First thing a collector checks; hides handling wear	Reeded standard; rope or cross-cut on request	Quoted on request
Back-side text	Motto, unit name, dates — the personal part	1.5 mm minimum character height after plating	Included
Plating	Antique reads "issued"; bright reads "new"	Antique bronze / gold / silver, black nickel	Quoted on request
Thickness	Hand feel; 2.5 mm is the floor	2.5 mm standard, 3–4 mm for 3D	Quoted on request
Unit price	—	2" two-sided enamel at 100–299 pcs	$3.50–$4.20/pc

Can each coin be individually numbered?

Yes — laser engraving on the edge or the back, sequential or by badge number. Numbering is quoted
on digit count and adds 2–3 days because each coin is handled individually. Academy classes and
limited commemorative runs are the usual requests: 60 coins numbered 1–60, or edge engraving matched
to badge numbers for a retirement piece.

Will a city finance office accept your invoice?

Most municipal orders are commercial purchases rather than federal procurement, and those we serve
directly. We issue a proforma invoice with line-item pricing that a finance office can process, and
we can print your PO number on it. Payment is T/T, PayPal or card. HS code 8306.30 appears on the
customs paperwork, and duties are stated separately rather than folded into the unit price. One
boundary we state up front: we do not position ourselves for US federal procurement — see the
military and veteran coins page for the Berry
Amendment explanation.

What if the ceremony is in five weeks?

It is achievable, with two conditions. Production is 18–25 days from written proof approval, plus
3–5 days transit to a US address — five weeks has margin if the digital proof is approved within 48
hours. Rush production of A rush option exists and is confirmed per order before
you commit. The working method is always the same: fix the in-hands date first, then work quantity
and spec backwards from it. If the date is not achievable we say so before you pay a deposit — we
would rather lose the order than miss your ceremony.

Police coin FAQs

Can you work from a photo of our current coin?

Yes, and it is the fastest path. Send front and back photos on a plain
background, plus a spare physical coin if you have one. We match diameter, thickness, plating and
edge, then quote a new die. We do not reproduce a design without written permission from the
organization that owns it.

Can we get coins numbered 1 to 150 for an academy class?

Yes. Laser engraving on the edge or the back, sequential or by badge
number. Numbering is quoted on digit count and adds 2–3 days because each coin is handled
individually. Academy classes and limited commemorative runs are the usual requests.

Do you require a purchase order or a deposit?

We issue a proforma invoice with line-item pricing that a finance office
can process, and we can print your PO number on it. Payment is T/T, PayPal or card. Deposit
percentage and balance terms are confirmed with the quote.

What is the smallest text you can hold on the back?

1.5 mm character height after plating. A 12-word motto squeezed to 1 mm
will fill in during plating. Shorten the wording, move it to the other side, or accept 1.5 mm and
let us reflow the layout.

Can two departments split one order with different crests?

Yes, but each crest needs its own die. Two designs at 75 pieces each are
quoted at the 50–99 price with two mold fees. It is still cheaper than two separate orders
because freight and paperwork are shared.

Do you offer a purchase-order workflow for government buyers?

We issue a proforma invoice with line-item pricing that a finance office can process, and we accept payment by T/T. Tell us at quote stage if a PO number has to appear on the invoice; we put it there.

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