Custom Commemorative Coins

Commemorative coins are custom-designed coins created to honor a specific event, achievement, or organization. They're not currency, they're tangible keepsakes. Similar to small monuments you can hold in your hand. Military units commission them to mark deployments. Companies order them to celebrate milestones. Schools hand them out to recognize hard work and academic excellence. Whatever the occasion, a well-crafted commemorative coin transforms an intangible moment into something permanent, something worth keeping in a drawer or displaying on a shelf for years to come.

A regular coin sits in your pocket and buys you a coffee. A commemorative coin sits on your desk, reminding you of something that mattered. That's the fundamental difference. Regular coins for currency are produced by government mints for circulation as legal tender, standardized, mass-produced, and utilitarian. Commemorative coins, on the other hand, are born from a design process that starts with your story. They have no monetary face value, but they have a sentimental and collectible value. That's where things get interesting.

Our minimum quantity is 50 coins per design. Custom coin production involves tooling, die creation, and setup that make smaller runs cost-prohibitive without sacrificing quality. At 50 units, we hit the sweet spot where you get exceptional craftsmanship at price ranges that actually make sense. Bulk orders of 100+ units unlock even better per-unit pricing.

Standard production time runs approximately 3–4 weeks from art proof approval to completion. The ordering process typically breaks down into three parts: we finalize your artwork within a few business days (typically), you approve the digital proof, and then our production team gets to work. Shipping to your location usually adds another 3–5 business days in the United States. We'll give you a firm delivery date once your order is confirmed, so there are no surprises. If you are in a rush, please let us know, and we can check our production schedule.

Yes, we do. We understand that deadlines don't always cooperate with standard timelines. Our rush service can significantly reduce the typical 3–4 week production window, depending on order size and complexity. Rush fees and rush shipping will vary based on how aggressively we need to accelerate the production process. But we're transparent about those costs upfront. If you're working against a hard delivery date, tell us immediately. The sooner we know, the more options we have. Our team has pulled off some remarkably tight turnarounds when the situation demands it.

We accept a wide range of file types to make the design process as easy as possible. Vector files are ideal (AI, EPS, SVG, or PDF). These give our graphic designer the cleanest foundation to work with. But we also happily accept high-resolution raster files like PNG, JPG, and TIFF (300 DPI or higher preferred). Got a rough sketch on a napkin? A photo of an existing coin you love? A PowerPoint slide with your concept? Send it over. Our design team has seen it all and can work with virtually anything you provide.

Pricing varies based on many factors like coin size, thickness, material, number of colors, finish type, and order quantity. Price ranges typically fall between $3 and $15 per coin for most standard configurations. Bulk orders significantly reduce the per-unit cost. The best way to get an accurate quote is to reach out with your specifications. Our team will walk you through the options and find the sweet spot between your vision and your budget.

Yes, absolutely, and we actually require it. Every custom order at Monterey Company, from custom hats to high-quality coins, goes through digital artwork approval before anything enters production. You'll receive a detailed digital proof showing your coin design. Be sure to look closely at the colors, text, and proportions, everything is represented so you know exactly what you're getting. Revisions are part of the process. We don't move forward until you're completely satisfied, because once we cut the dies, most changes will require a new setup fee.

We work with a range of metals and alloys to match the look, feel, and budget of every project. Zinc alloy, brass, and iron are our most popular base materials. From there, we offer finishes in gold, silver, antique brass, antique copper, black nickel, and more. The material you choose affects everything from weight and texture to how colors interact with the metal surface, so our design team will help you select the right combination for your specific coin.

Yes, color matching is a core part of what we do. We use soft enamel and hard enamel fills that can be custom-mixed to match your brand's Pantone colors. We match solid-coated Pantone numbers, which are typically three-digit values and end in "C". Send us your brand guidelines, and our design team will ensure your coin's colors align with your existing identity. If your branding includes gradients or photographic elements, we can achieve those effects through digital printing techniques applied directly to the coin surface.

The 1.75-inch (44mm) coin is our most requested size. It's large enough to showcase detailed artwork and text on both sides, yet small enough to carry comfortably in a pocket or display in a standard coin capsule. That said, we produce coins in all shapes and sizes, typically 1.5 to 3 inches in diameter. Smaller coins work well for bulk orders and giveaways. Larger coins make striking display pieces and premium awards. Our design team can recommend the ideal size based on the complexity of your artwork and intended use.

We offer three standard thickness options: 2.5mm, 3mm, and 3.5mm. The 3mm thickness is our most popular choice. Thinner 2.5mm coins work well for large bulk orders or promotional coin giveaways, where weight and shipping costs are considerations. The 3.5mm option adds a premium heft that's popular for high-end memorial gifts and recognition awards. Custom thicknesses are available for special projects.