What is a hard enamel challenge coin?

Like with soft enamel coins, hard enamel challenge coins begin as die struck pieces. Paint is added to the recessed areas, but unlike with soft enamel coins, that paint is poured all the way to the top. This creates a uniform surface without the raised edges that soft enamel coins are known for. After the colorfill, the challenge coins are heat-treated to dry and harden the enamel. Then, they are plated with a metal like gold, silver, or bronze and polished to a high, lustrous shine. This results in a smooth and glassy finish versus the textured, ridged feel of soft enamel.

Hard enamel pins have a sleek, professional look and durable finish that many customers prefer. What’s more, they can be cut into an array of shapes and sizes. Despite its versatility, hard enamel may not be the ideal choice if your coin design has a large amount of detail—like fine lettering. This is because these details tend to get buffed away during the polishing process, which can compromise your design.