Technical Coin Production Information

The Technical Coin Information gallery below showcases some of the techniques we use to create awesome coins. We use it to communicate techniques and specifications.

Paint Types – SE & IHE

Die Types 2D & 3D

Main Technical Gallery

Paint Types – Soft Enamel (SE) & Imitation Hard Enamel (IHE)

Enamels typically fall into one of two categories, Soft Enamel (SE) and Imitation Hard Enamel (IHE). Descriptions are below.

Soft Enamel

Soft Enamel is paint that sits in the recesses stamped into a coin. When soft enamel is used, the coin will have a lot of texture in the painted areas.

Imitation Hard Enamel

Imitation Hard Enamel is paint that fills the recessed areas of a coin. The paint sits flush with the surface and results in a flat appearance in the painted areas.

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SE Examples

Challenge coin example - Soft Enamel — Soft Enamel

IHE Examples

Challenge coin example - Imitation Hard Enamel — Imitation Hard Enamel

Dies – 2D and 3D Dies

Dies are used to stamp out stamped brass coins or to cast zinc coins. They come in two styles, 2-Dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D).

2D Dies

2D Dies have up to three flat layers. Recessed, mid level (level-2) and raised. 2D dies are generally a little less expensive than 3D dies and are very well suited to challenge coins that have lots of painted areas. If we are using IHE enamels, we usually need to use 2D dies.

3D Dies

3D Dies are used to create a sculpted surface on a coin. This technique is well suited to coins with fine detail that will be presented in bare metal. Good examples are animals, leaves, vehicles and ships and often, people.

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2D Examples

3D Examples

Click on a link below to see examples of other techniques.

Piratemania challenge Coin — 3D Antique silver coin

HMCS Ottawa Shellback challenge Coin Canada — 3D Antique Bronze Coin

Corps of Commissionaires challenge Coin Canada — 3D Antique Silver coin with Soft Enamel paint

Regina Armourer Section challenge Coin Canada — 3D Antique Silver coin

HMCS Athabascan challenge Coin — 2D Antique Silver coin with Soft Enamel Paint

CBSA challenge Coin Canada — 2D Polished Gold coin with Soft Enamel paints

Petawawa CMEA challenge Coin Canada — 2D Antique Bronze coin with Soft Enamel paints and epoxy-covered printed inset.

Strength in times of Struggles challenge Coin — 3D Antique Bronze coin with soft enamel blue border and epoxy-covered printed inset (iris)

Atlantic Region Reserve Force challenge Coin Canada — Polished Gold 2D coin with white soft enamel, blue and tan Imitation Hard enamel and screen-printed smaller text.

Frontenac EMS challenge Coin Canada — Polished nickel coin with Imitation Hard Enamel paint and screen printed blue

HMCS Fredericton challenge Coin Canada — Antique Silver and Polished Gold 2D coin with Imitation Hard Enamel paint and offset printed tiger.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada challenge Coin — Polished gold and antique silver 2D coin with Imitation hard enamel paint (except for the soft enamel green behind the fish), and an offset printed fish

Snowbirds challenge Coin Canada — Polished Nickel 2D coin with Imitation hard enamel paint and a Diamond-cut edge

2017 CF-18 Demo Team challenge Coin — Black Nickel 2D coin with Imitation Hard Enamel paint and screen printing

409 Squadron RCAF Bottle opener challenge Coin Canada — 3D Antique Bronze shaped Bottle-opener coin with soft enamel paint.

401 Squadron challenge Coin Canada — Black Nickel and polished gold 3D coin with soft enamel eyes

HMCS Rainbow challenge Coin Canada — Antique Silver and Polished gold 3D coin with Imitation Hard enamel paint and offset-printed water/trout in the crest.

Golden Triangle challenge Coin Canada — Black Nickel 2D coin with Imitation Hard Enamel paint.

Stadacona Band challenge Coin Canada — Polished Gold and Antique Silver 2D coin with blue Imitation Hard Enamel paint and Diamond-cut edge

HMCS Vancouver challenge Coin Canada — 2D antique Bronze coin with Soft Enamel paints, an offset printed ship and Diamond-cut edge

442 Squadrom challenge Coin Canada — Antique Copper 2D coin

Copyright Notice

The logos, badges, crests and insignia visible on this page are all owned by their respective copyright/trademark holders and the coins were produced either for the owner of the Intellectual Property or with their permission. More information about this can be seen on our Legal page – click here.