Yes, unit insignia appear on challenge coins routinely, but the insignia belongs to the unit and the service rather than to whoever is placing the order, so authorization is required first.

In practice, that means three things:

  • Authorization is required. Service marks, unit crests and distinctive unit insignia are protected. Reproducing them on merchandise, including coins, needs approval.
  • It’s cleared through your chain of command. Your command, public affairs office or the relevant service trademark office is the authority here, not your coin supplier. Most units already have a process for this; if yours doesn’t, ask before the design stage rather than after.
  • We work from artwork you’re authorized to supply. Embleholics produces coins to the artwork provided, on the basis that the customer has the right to use it. We’re not in a position to verify a unit’s internal approvals.

For most unit coins, including section coins, change of command coins and deployment coins, this is a formality that has already been handled. It becomes a live issue when coins are being sold rather than presented.

See military challenge coins or our terms and conditions.