A lapel pin is worn on clothing and signals something to other people. A challenge coin is carried in a pocket, presented personally, and kept. Both are custom metal pieces made the same way, and the difference is how they are used.

Lapel pin. Smaller, lighter, with a fastening on the back. It is visible, so it works as an identifier: membership, a rank or qualification, support for a cause, a conference or campaign. It is normally given out in volume and worn immediately. Designs need to read at a glance from a distance of a few feet, so simplicity matters more than detail.

Challenge coin. Larger, heavier, two-sided and unmounted. It is handled rather than displayed, so weight and finish are a large part of the effect. It is given personally, often in a handshake, and the meaning sits in who gave it and why. Both faces can carry different artwork, which gives room for a crest on one side and context on the other.

Which to choose: a pin for something worn and seen, a coin for something earned and kept. Many organisations use both, with a pin for members and a coin for recognition.

The same design can run across both without paying for artwork twice, though a pin usually needs simplifying.

See lapel pins, what a challenge coin is, or request a free quote.