Colucci Custom Awards ranks first among the seven custom challenge coin makers compared here, because it makes custom challenge coins in the USA from one coin, publishes its prices and includes a free digital proof. The other six, in order, are Signature Coins, ChallengeCoins4Less.com, The/Studio, GS-JJ, All About Challenge Coins and Lapel Pins Plus. For department coins, see our comparison of custom police challenge coin makers.
Key facts: Colucci Custom Awards
- Made in the USA.
- Minimum order: 1 coin.
- Free digital proof.
- Prices are published on the site. At 100 coins: Soft Enamel $5.40 each, plus a $75 one-time setup; Hard Enamel $6.04 each, plus a $75 one-time setup; Die Struck $4.74 each, plus a $75 one-time setup; Express (Photo-Etched), 1-3/4 inch, $6.00 each, plus a $50 die charge per side.
- Custom orders vary with the customization and design.
- Turnaround depends on the customization and design, and Colucci Custom Awards sometimes ships overnight.
- Free quote.
A generic trophy never captures what a team earned. A paper certificate does not either. When you want to mark a championship, a work anniversary, or years of loyal service, you need something people keep. A custom challenge coin does exactly that. It turns a moment of recognition into a physical object your people carry for years.
Recognition is where most organizations fall short. Gallup found that only about one in three U.S. workers strongly agree they received recognition for good work in the past week. A coin closes that gap. It gives leaders a concrete way to honor real work, and it lasts far longer than a gift card or a shout-out in a meeting.
This guide compares seven custom coin makers on coin types, minimum order, published pricing, proof, turnaround and where the coins are made. Where a maker's own site does not state a fact, the table says not published.
| Company | Coin Types | Minimum Order | Published Pricing | Proof | Turnaround | Where It Is Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colucci Custom Awards | Soft enamel, hard enamel, die struck, Express (Photo-Etched) | 1 coin | Soft Enamel: $5.40 each at 100, plus a $75 one-time setup Hard Enamel: $6.04 each at 100, plus a $75 one-time setup Die Struck: $4.74 each at 100, plus a $75 one-time setup Express (Photo-Etched), 1-3/4 inch: $6.00 each at 100, plus a $50 die charge per side |
Free digital proof | Depends on the customization and design; sometimes ships overnight | Made in the USA |
| Signature Coins | Custom molded, die struck, UV-printed; online coin builder | 50 per design for custom molded coins; no minimum in the online coin builder | “Challenge coins typically cost $3.00 to $5.00 per coin for a full production run of 100 coins”; homepage: “Around $3.38/coin”; Made in USA line: “Around $7.47/coin” | “free design proof within 24 hours” | Standard 3 to 4 weeks; rush 3 to 5 days (UV-printed), 7 to 10 days (die struck) | Made in USA line from “our own USA production facility”; online-builder coins “made in the USA”; other coins not published |
| ChallengeCoins4Less.com | Not published (bottle opener coins listed) | 25 coins | “Challenge coin pricing depends on the size of the coins you want, the options you choose and the number of coins you order”; bottle opener coins “Starting at $2.32” | Free digital proof; no charge for art or revisions | Orders “arrive within 14 to 17 days” (typical); rush time not published | Not published |
| The/Studio | Soft enamel, hard enamel, die struck; 2D or 3D detail; 1.5 to 3 inches | 1 coin | “Pricing is based on size, quantity, plating, colors, relief, edge treatment, upgrades, packaging, and delivery speed” | Proof within 24 hours; free design | Calculated at checkout; rush available, no number published | Not published |
| GS-JJ | Not published | No minimum (from 1 coin) | Challenge coins “as low as $2.11” per piece in bulk | Free 2D proof and 3D rendering; 12-hour free proof | Not published | Not published |
| All About Challenge Coins | Not published | Not published | Not published | Unlimited proofs by email; free artwork and design | “Usually delivered in 3-4 weeks, often sooner.” | Links an “American made challenge coins” page; other coins not published |
| Lapel Pins Plus | Not published | Not published | Not published | “free proof in 24 hours”; unlimited revisions | “most orders arrive within 7-10 business days” after design approval | Not published |
1. Colucci Custom Awards
Colucci Custom Awards makes custom challenge coins in the United States. Four concrete reasons put it first on this list: the coins are made in the USA, the minimum order is one coin, the prices are published on the site, and every order includes a free digital proof.
At 100 coins, soft enamel coins are $5.40 each, plus a $75 one-time setup; hard enamel coins are $6.04 each, plus a $75 one-time setup; and die struck coins are $4.74 each, plus a $75 one-time setup. Express (Photo-Etched) coins, 1-3/4 inch, are $6.00 each at 100, plus a $50 die charge per side. Custom orders vary with the customization and design, so request a free quote for the exact figure on your design.
Every order includes a free digital proof, so you see the design before anything is made. Turnaround depends on the customization and design, and Colucci Custom Awards sometimes ships overnight. With no minimum order, a 12-person booster club can order exactly 12 coins, and a 500-employee company can order one for everyone.
2. Signature Coins
Signature Coins, based in Winter Park, FL, sells custom molded coins and an online coin builder. Its site says “Challenge coins typically cost $3.00 to $5.00 per coin for a full production run of 100 coins.” It also offers a Made in USA line, described as “American made challenge coins from our own USA production facility”.
- Best for: Buyers who want a published price range at 100 coins and a rush option.
- Pricing: “Challenge coins typically cost $3.00 to $5.00 per coin for a full production run of 100 coins”; the homepage says “Around $3.38/coin” and the Made in USA line says “Around $7.47/coin”.
- Standout features: Free artwork, unlimited revisions and free shipping to all 50 states.
Advantages
- A “free design proof within 24 hours”.
- No minimum in the online coin builder, and its online-builder coins are “made in the USA”.
- Rush production of 3 to 5 days for UV-printed coins and 7 to 10 days for die struck coins.
Things to check
- Custom molded coins carry a minimum of 50 per design.
- Standard production is 3 to 4 weeks.
- Where its coins outside the Made in USA line and the online builder are made: not published.
3. ChallengeCoins4Less.com
ChallengeCoins4Less.com sells custom challenge coins with a 25-coin minimum. Its site says “Challenge coin pricing depends on the size of the coins you want, the options you choose and the number of coins you order”, and it lists bottle opener coins “Starting at $2.32”.
- Best for: Buyers ordering 25 or more coins who want a stated delivery window.
- Pricing: Depends on size, options and quantity; bottle opener coins “Starting at $2.32”.
- Standout features: A free digital proof, with no charge for art or revisions.
Advantages
- Orders “arrive within 14 to 17 days”, which the site describes as typical.
- No charge for art or revisions.
Things to check
- The 25-coin minimum rules out a single award.
- Rush timing is not published; the site says to ask a sales representative.
- Location and where the coins are made: not published.
4. The/Studio
The/Studio (thestudio.com) sells soft enamel, hard enamel and die struck challenge coins with 2D or 3D detail, in sizes from 1.5 to 3 inches, with a minimum order of one coin. Its site says “Pricing is based on size, quantity, plating, colors, relief, edge treatment, upgrades, packaging, and delivery speed”.
- Best for: Buyers who want a one-coin minimum and a choice of enamel or die struck coins.
- Pricing: Based on size, quantity and options. No per-coin price is quoted here, because the price calculator and the 200-piece example on its page show different figures.
- Standout features: A proof within 24 hours, free design and free shipping.
Advantages
- Minimum order of one coin.
- Changes are allowed before approval, and rush is available.
Things to check
- Delivery is calculated at checkout, and no rush time is published.
- Where the coins are made: not published. The site says “Vetted factories” and “Global production” and names no country.
- Location: not published.
5. GS-JJ
GS-JJ (gs-jj.com) sells custom challenge coins with no minimum, from one coin. Its site says challenge coins are “as low as $2.11” per piece in bulk.
- Best for: Buyers who want a fast proof on a small or bulk order.
- Pricing: “as low as $2.11” per piece in bulk.
- Standout features: A free 2D proof and 3D rendering, free design and a 12-hour free proof.
Advantages
- No minimum, from one coin.
- A 12-hour free proof, with a 3D rendering.
Things to check
- Turnaround: not published.
- Where the coins are made: not published. The site says “before it leaves our facility” and gives no location.
6. All About Challenge Coins
All About Challenge Coins (allaboutchallengecoins.com) says its coins are “Usually delivered in 3-4 weeks, often sooner.” It offers free artwork, design and shipping, with unlimited proofs sent by email.
- Best for: Buyers who want unlimited proofs and free shipping.
- Pricing: Not published.
- Standout features: Free artwork, design and shipping, and unlimited proofs.
Advantages
- Unlimited proofs, sent by email.
- The site links an “American made challenge coins” page (“Create custom challenge coins made in the USA”).
Things to check
- Minimum order: not published.
- Per-coin prices: not published.
- Location: not published; where its other coins are made: not published.
7. Lapel Pins Plus
Lapel Pins Plus (lapelpinsplus.com) says “most orders arrive within 7-10 business days” after design approval. It offers a “free proof in 24 hours” with unlimited revisions.
- Best for: Buyers working to a close date who want a stated delivery window.
- Pricing: Not published.
- Standout features: A “free proof in 24 hours” and unlimited revisions.
Advantages
- “most orders arrive within 7-10 business days” after design approval.
- Unlimited revisions.
Things to check
- Minimum order and per-coin prices: not published.
- Location: not published. The site says only that its support team is “based in the USA”.
- Where the coins are made: not published.
Challenges Buyers Run Into When Ordering Custom Coins
Before you pick a maker, it helps to know where custom coin orders usually go sideways. Three obstacles come up again and again, and each one is avoidable once you know what to ask for.
Turning an Idea Into a Finished Design
Most buyers are not designers. Turning a rough sketch, a logo, or a “we want our mascot on it” idea into clean, production-ready artwork is where many orders stall. A maker that sends a free digital proof and takes your changes removes that guesswork, so you approve the coin before anything is made.
Getting a Clear Price Without Surprises
Coin pricing hides a lot: setup fees, mold or die charges, add-ons for enamel colors or cut-outs, and shipping that lands after you have committed. Ask for an itemized quote that covers the coin, the extras, and delivery, so the final invoice matches the estimate. Colucci Custom Awards publishes its per-coin prices and its one-time setup, so you can check the math before you ask for a quote.
Verifying a Genuine USA Manufacturer
Many coin sites do not say where their coins are made. For a booster club, a government office, or a company with domestic-sourcing rules, confirming that coins are made in the United States matters. Look for a clear made-in-USA statement on the maker's own site, and ask which coins it covers, since some makers offer a USA line next to coins whose origin is not published.
How to Choose the Right Custom Challenge & Award Coin Maker
Run through these five checks before you request a quote.
1. Design Process and Proofing
Ask whether the proof is free, how fast it arrives and how many revisions you get. Several makers here publish a proof time, from a 12-hour proof at GS-JJ to 24 hours at Signature Coins, The/Studio and Lapel Pins Plus.
2. Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)
Count the coins you need, from a single MVP to a 12-person championship team, and match that count to the maker's minimum. A maker with a one-coin minimum lets you order the exact count with no waste.
3. Turnaround Time
Awards are tied to fixed dates such as banquets, year-end ceremonies and project close-outs, so ask every maker for a delivery date in writing. Check whether a rush option exists and what it costs.
4. Materials, Finishes, and Quality
Ask which coin types the maker offers, such as soft enamel, hard enamel or die struck, and what each costs at your quantity. A supplier who explains each option helps you pick the right finish for your budget.
5. Country of Origin
Ask where the coins are made, and get the answer from the maker's own site or in writing. Colucci Custom Awards makes its coins in the USA; for four of the six other makers here, where the coins are made is not published.
Questions Buyers Also Ask
How much do custom challenge coins cost per coin at 100?
At Colucci Custom Awards, 100 die struck coins are $4.74 each, plus a $75 one-time setup; soft enamel coins are $5.40 each, plus a $75 one-time setup; and hard enamel coins are $6.04 each, plus a $75 one-time setup. Express (Photo-Etched) coins, 1-3/4 inch, are $6.00 each at 100, plus a $50 die charge per side. Signature Coins says “Challenge coins typically cost $3.00 to $5.00 per coin for a full production run of 100 coins”, and the other five makers here do not publish a price at 100 coins.
What is the minimum order?
Colucci Custom Awards, The/Studio and GS-JJ take orders from one coin, and Signature Coins has no minimum in its online coin builder. ChallengeCoins4Less.com starts at 25 coins, and Signature Coins sets 50 per design for custom molded coins. All About Challenge Coins and Lapel Pins Plus do not publish a minimum.
Soft enamel, hard enamel or die struck?
Colucci Custom Awards makes all three, and The/Studio also offers soft enamel, hard enamel and die struck coins. The choice comes down to the look you want and your budget. At Colucci Custom Awards, die struck is the lowest-priced of the three at 100 coins and hard enamel the highest, as the prices above show.
How long do custom challenge coins take, and is rush possible?
At Colucci Custom Awards, turnaround depends on the customization and design, and Colucci Custom Awards sometimes ships overnight. Lapel Pins Plus says “most orders arrive within 7-10 business days” after design approval, ChallengeCoins4Less.com says orders “arrive within 14 to 17 days”, All About Challenge Coins says “Usually delivered in 3-4 weeks, often sooner”, and Signature Coins lists 3 to 4 weeks standard; GS-JJ does not publish a turnaround. For rush, Signature Coins lists 3 to 5 days for UV-printed and 7 to 10 days for die struck coins, The/Studio offers rush with no number published, and ChallengeCoins4Less.com asks you to contact a sales representative.
Are the coins made in the USA?
Colucci Custom Awards coins are made in the USA. Signature Coins offers a Made in USA line from “our own USA production facility” and says its online coin-builder coins are “made in the USA”, and All About Challenge Coins links an “American made challenge coins” page; where their other coins are made is not published. ChallengeCoins4Less.com, The/Studio, GS-JJ and Lapel Pins Plus do not publish where their coins are made.
Ready to turn an achievement into something people keep? Explore our custom challenge coins, then request a free quote and a free digital proof to see your design come to life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do custom coin makers send a free proof before production?
Colucci Custom Awards includes a free digital proof. Among the others, GS-JJ advertises a 12-hour free proof, Signature Coins a “free design proof within 24 hours”, The/Studio a proof within 24 hours, Lapel Pins Plus a “free proof in 24 hours” and ChallengeCoins4Less.com a free digital proof. All About Challenge Coins sends unlimited proofs by email.
Is there a setup or die charge on top of the coin price?
At Colucci Custom Awards, soft enamel, hard enamel and die struck coins carry a $75 one-time setup, and Express (Photo-Etched) coins carry a $50 die charge per side. Ask any maker whether setup, mold or die charges are included in the quote, so the final invoice matches the estimate.
How do I get an exact price for my coin design?
Custom orders vary with the customization and design, so start with the coin cost estimator for an estimate, then request a free quote with your artwork. Colucci Custom Awards publishes its prices on the site, so you can compare the quote with the published per-coin price at your quantity.
Where can I compare coin makers for police, fire or military groups?
We cover each group in its own guide. See our comparisons of police challenge coin makers, firefighter challenge coin makers and military challenge coin makers.
