Challenge Coin Design Contest
Whew! Busy week! Ciriana forwarded me an email last Friday describing a contest for her commanding unit’s “challenge coin.” I briefly mentioned challenge coins last week, there is such a long history and tradition associated with them that I don’t really feel I can explain correctly. Wikipedia and other sites have a good explanation about what they are actually used for. Essentially, they’re a symbol of the unit and they are handed out to Soldiers by their commanders.
So, not only is it exciting to have the chance to design one of these coins, but it would be a huge honor to actually have my design minted. At first, I thought, if chosen, the project would be a great addition to my design portfolio. But after speaking with Ciriana about it, she mentioned that she would love to be given the coin as a good-bye gift. I decided that I would design the coin with her in mind. Her military career and her attitude became the inspiration for my design.
Coin - Bone Shape
The commander wanted the coin to depict the missions of the Veterinary Corps as well as some marker unique to this unit. The first thing I did was research the history of the challenge coin – Wikipedia had me covered on that respect. Then I started examining some coins that Ciri already had as well as some on the internet. There are actually many websites that provide coin design services, and their techniques and previous work served as additional inspiration.
After looking over hundreds of coins and reading up on the history, I started sketching some ideas. I wrote down words that helped me describe what my coin was going to convey with its design. By this time, it was Tuesday and the design iss due Friday! I wanted to be working on the computer with my design by Wednesday so that I could start polishing the design by Thursday. The design needed to be done by Thursday so Ciriana could mail the final design on Friday. It was a tough week, but I got it done.
This project taught me so many things about deadlines and time management. Good time management is hard to do when you’re at home taking care of a 10 month old. I learned, though, that Izzy is my first job, and designing will be a night job. The design was finished Friday at one in the morning, just to prove my point. I don’t mind staying up that late, I enjoy creating and designing, but it’s a reality I needed to realize.
Ciriana really liked the final design and we’re both very curious how many designs were submitted. I have a feeling that not many people within the veterinary corps are designers on the side. … but… you never know.
Please let me know what you think about the coins I created in the comments.
Coin - Triangle
Coin - Circle
I am a graphic designer and I design a lot of coins as well. First I want to say awesome job! I personally like the triangle one the most of the three. Designing coins in this kind of atmosphere is a lot of fun but there is no doubt about the pressure of a deadline. If you ever want an opinion or anything let me know, I always help anyone trying to do something cool like this.
Thank you! Actually, for my research, I visited your site many times. Your designs and podcast were motivating and helpful. I actually wanted to contact you regarding this project, but I didn’t have enough time to do so. If I am lucky enough to get the chance to design another coin, I hope to hear your thoughts on it. Thanks again!
I really like the dog bone coin…not only from the K9 side of it, but because it’s not a typical “coin” shape. Did you just design the coin, or did you actually get them made as well? If I may inquire, who are you (or Ciriana) going to use for your source to make the coins? If you don’t have anyone in mind (or even if you do) I would like to talk with you about perhaps being considered to make the coins. I guarantee you will not find a better quality coin, and I am very competitively priced. Feel free to contact me and let me know. Thanks, and again, cool design(s)
Chris
http://www.greekchallengecoins.com
@Chris Thank you for your thoughts and your offer. The design was part of a contest and I am not sure who they chose to mint the coins. I am still working with Ciriana’s leadership to finalize the coin, so it hasn’t been minted just yet. It is a military unit, though, so I assume they have many connections with coin minters (are coin minters called coin minters? I dunno.). Thanks again and I wish you luck!
Thanks for the reply
If you find that they have still not minted the coins, I would like to know if it is possible to bid on the minting of the coins. I realize that since it is for the military they probably have sources they have used in the past, but I would appreciate an opportunity to bid on them (or to simplify things, just let me know what they are paying now and I will see if I can beat that price). Any help/insight is appreciated! Thanks much, and again, cool design!
Hey first I would like to say that I am happy to see that there are more peoples who are interested in coin designing and because I am also starting to design the coins but I have a question what kind of program do you used to design the coin after it has been design on the paper because I try most of the programs and have trouble with them I would be really happy f you can help me out Because my first coin design is for my wife and it’s first time I am trying to design a coin so I would be happy to know how to make my paper design into coin. Thanks Ps: Your coin designs and ideas are very good. And I think a coin can be design in every shape and form peoples just have to have a ideas.