Soft enamel leaves a textured surface where the metal lines sit raised above the color; hard enamel is filled and polished flat, so the coin is smooth to the touch. Hard enamel is more durable and costs more; soft enamel is cheaper and shows more detail.

  • Texture. Soft enamel is recessed below the metal ridges, so you can feel the design with a fingertip. Hard enamel is filled level with the metal and polished, giving a flat, glass-like surface.
  • Durability. Hard enamel is cured at high temperature and is more scratch-resistant, which matters for a coin carried daily. Soft enamel’s raised metal lines protect the color reasonably well but the surface will show wear sooner.
  • Appearance. Soft enamel has depth and dimension, and the raised lines make fine detail read crisply. Hard enamel looks smoother and more premium, closer to a jewelry finish.
  • Cost. Soft enamel is less expensive. Hard enamel involves more filling, curing and polishing steps.
  • Detail. Soft enamel handles very fine linework and tight color separations better, because it doesn’t need polishing back to a level surface.

Neither enamel type is objectively better. They are different looks. See both in our gallery or request a free quote.