Challenge Coin Plating

A brass finish is a normal coin you will find in any BX/PX. This would be considered the cheapest way to go as it’s not even considered plating but rather a bare metal. This is just cut stock that is stamped and painted. The majority of coins made on the market are brass coins. They value at next to nothing in most cases and you’re on worth because the theme of the coin.

Pros:

• A cheap way to get your point across
• No worries of smudge marks or finger prints
• Can be used and abused
• No limitations on the design

Cons:

• Very Plain Jane
• Tarnishes over time
• Extremely common
• Considered a poor man’s plate

We don’t knock this out right but we do encourage to go above the bar and something unique with your coin. If you’re going to spend the money then get something nice. Now you know brass…

Antique gold plating is a step up from brass which gives a sheen to the finish but still won’t leave you wiping your coin off constantly for finger prints and smudging. This is a nice plating for a subtle look and feel to your coin. If you don’t like a silver tone you should look at this especially if you don’t want a high polish finish.

Pros:

• No finger prints or smudging
• A nice subtle feel
• Still stands out among other coins
• Doesn’t tarnish easy
• Won’t scratch easily

Cons:

• None really other than taste and overall effect of the design

This is a winner through and through. We would recommend this to anyone that expresses a liking to it. This is a nice way to compliment any design.

High polish gold plating is not real gold but it sure does look sweet. This is most common on a collector’s coin. This is not going to be handed out by your CO or general very often if at all. You have to be careful when using a high polish anything because you see everything on it. If there is a blemish you will see it. This is a great plating to use on coins that are going in the display and not your wallet.

Pros:

• Looks incredible in the light
• A true collector’s finish
• The design really stands out

Cons:

• Scratch easier than a non high polish finish
• Finger prints are attracted to this
• Blemishes show up easier
• Hard to scan and take photos of

This is a rare recommend but does make a difference in the coin big time. Make sure your design will be complimented by a finish like this.

Antique Nickel is a great choice for a coin with a little something different than your gold and brass tones. This offers about the same as a antique gold finish except with a silver hue to it. This is becoming a common choice of many coins being made on the market. It holds up well to a little abuse yet looks stunning in display. A lot of commanders are turning to this plate as a choice.

Pros:

• No finger prints or smudging
• A nice subtle feel
• Still stands out among other coins
• Doesn’t tarnish easy
• Won’t scratch easily

Cons:

• None really other than taste and overall effect of the design

More often than not the design will lend itself to this plate and we really like the results this will give you especially if you’re considering no color and all 3D on a side.

Pros:

• Beautiful for 99% of designs
• It’s a great alternative to High Polished Gold
• Holds up strong to scratching
• Easily polished

Cons:

• Finger prints like to get on it
• Hard to read small type directly when in light
• Can be a little too much for a normal coin
• Not everyone likes this plate
• Difficult to take scans or pictures of

Overall you can’t go to wrong with this plating and is becoming more and more popular as time passes. High polished Nickel is awesome when used correctly. If you have a minimalistic type of design, than this is going to be great for you. It out shines all the others hands down but can make small type difficult to read straight on because this will reflect heavily. This is standard plating that we do here at USCC.com. It’s not silver remember it’s a Nickel plating. Some people are easily fooled because the term High Polished Silver is thrown around so easily.

Pros:

• Very Rare
• A True Collectible Metal
• Holds up strong to scratching
• Easily polished

Cons:

• Hard to read small type directly when in light
• Can be a little too much for a normal coin
• A bit more pricey
• Difficult to take scans or pictures of

This is a new type of plating that really has only been in the minting process noticeably in the last few years. Not all coins are going to look awesome with black nickel but you would be surprised of how it can dramatically take a normal coin and make it stunning. Even when we design coins at U.S. Challenge Coins we take precaution on which coins truly will look great in this plating. You will pay for the plate but in the end you will be glad you did. One of our best coins we have made to date is the SR-71 coin and it still goes for $100 or more at auction and in our store. We couldn’t have done this without black nickel.

Pros:

• Extremely Rare
• A True Collectible Metal
• Holds up strong to scratching
• Gives a plate that brings a serious class to a coin

Cons:

• Overused and it will look like a penny
  
• A bit more pricey

Copper is not a common plating used in the mint. However it really brings some of the most beautiful detail out in a coin. Most people are taken back by the use and combination of dark colors and copper and they compliment each other very well. We have a handful of minted coins using this plate and we hope to see more in the near future. If you are hesitant in using this plate we assure you, if you use it correctly you will be in very good shape.

Two-tone plating is not exactly a plate; it’s a combination of a silver and gold high polish finish only. This is used in certain cases where it brings out the true brilliance of the coin itself. We have an image here of it being used for a coin.

Pros:

• Looks wonderful together
• Ups the value of a coin a lot

Cons:

• Expensive; almost $.30 additional per coin
• Smudges and finger prints love the high polished stuff
• Scratches easy if you’re rough with it

Overall, a very satisfying plating option if you can’t decide on gold or silver. When you go want to go the extra step in making sure you have a winner then two tone is one of the best options. It replaces the paint and replaces it with real metal. You can’t substitute the beauty with enamel and you certainly never want to cover it with epoxy.

Micro Sandblasting is another add on type of plating. It is used to add texture to a plating and enhance the overall look. This puts tiny grain like pits into the plating and gives you the added feature most coins don’t have. This is a huge plus to break up a full side of shiny anything.

Pros:

• Great to break up full shine plating
• Gives added texture and saves paint
• Looks great on a finish piece

Cons:

• Adds about $.11 per coin

Not many cons to this add on. It’s more of a changing plate than a plate itself.