A Day in the Spotlight
Quite often, our blogs are created either around a single design element that multiple coins share, or they’re about one customer who’s created a unique and interesting challenge coin program. But every so often, we get an order in that’s so impressive we think it would be a mistake not to share it with you.
Maybe they aren’t pushing the boundaries of what’s typical in the custom coin design world, but they do showcase what is possible when the different options we offer are utilized to their best effect. These coins are our Signature Spotlights.
A Series of Coins for a Galaxy Far, Far Away
With Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker only days away, we thought the best way to send off the Skywalker Saga would be to feature one of our favorite 501st Legion challenge coin designs. The Signature Spotlight usually falls on a single coin that we believe stands out as one of the best and brightest examples of design, however, this month, it’s a series of coins shining under the spotlight.
Many of the custom Star Wars coins we help design for members of Vader’s Fist are ordered with multiple plating and color options. Even though they share the same basic design, it’s easy to appreciate the difference between a simple antique gold version of a coin and a black metal version with colored text and artwork. Bare metal coins have a rustic appearance and classic appeal. A full-color version of the same design will have a more contemporary aesthetic, with crisp detail.
In the bare metal gold and silver coins, the text around the edge and the details of the Sith Lord character are easy to appreciate. In the full-color versions, however, the added color breathes a stronger sense of life into the artwork and helps the text stand out even more. The incredibly small colorfill areas where purple enamel was added to the words “In Memory of All” and “Conquer Pancreatic Cancer” perfectly show how color, even in the smallest places, can make a huge impact and draw the eye to certain parts of a design.
Another interesting feature of this design is the purple ribbon on the back of each coin. These coins were used to fundraise for pancreatic cancer research and to raise awareness about the issue. Including the awareness ribbon was the perfect way to connect the Star Wars design with the cause, and the use of purple glow enamel makes the ribbon design even more special.
The ribbons may be purple in the daylight, but they glow green in the dark. We offer several different colors for glow enamel, but a green glow is the most popular. Colors can also glow white, blue, yellow or orange just to name a few. As you can see here, the color of your glow enamel in the daylight doesn't have to be the same as the glowing color in the dark.
Besides the connection to a galaxy far, far away, there’s another fun pop culture reference in this design. Sitting right in the middle of the ribbon’s loop is Superman’s emblem. It’s an easy reference to miss if you’re not looking closely, making it an extra-special piece of the design.
Put Your Custom Coin in the Spotlight
These coins deserve a place in our spotlight series because of the beautiful way the different color and plating options breath new life into the artwork, and because of the fun use of pop culture and glow enamel to make a unique design. Now that the series of films in the Skywalker Saga is coming to an end, it seemed like the perfect time to feature a series of Star Wars coins that illustrate the incredible design and amazing purpose of the 501st coins we help create.
If you think your custom coin is deserving of a spot in the Signature Spotlights series, let us know in the comments, or shoot us an email. And be sure to continue creating interesting and unique designs that catch our eye.
