Where Craftsmanship Meets Code.
Premium custom challenge coins, lapel pins, and patches — enhanced with NFC Smart Coin® technology Finally, a challenge coin that DOES something!
Custom Challenge Coins, Lapel Pins & Patches – Designed in 3D High Relief
Premium 100% brass challenge coins, custom enamel pins, embroidered patches, and NFC Smart Coin® technology — built to stand out. we create to the way each session flows.
A Smart Coin® is not just another custom challenge coin.
It’s a precision-minted 2" solid brass coin with an embedded NFC NTAG 424 DNA microchip sealed inside. When someone taps it with their smartphone, it instantly launches a digital experience.
No app. No batteries. No scanning. Just tap and activate.
This is physical craftsmanship combined with secure digital technology.
Traditional challenge coins sit on a shelf.
A Smart Coin® connects.
It can launch a website, open a donation page, unlock exclusive content, verify membership, authenticate products, deliver a digital business card, or drive any action you choose.
Each coin is custom designed in high-relief 3D metal and manufactured to the highest standards. The embedded chip is permanently sealed under a full-color insert and protected with clear epoxy, making it waterproof and built to last.
You’re not just creating a coin.
You’re creating a physical object that triggers digital action.
Tell us what you want your coin to DO.
Need custom challenge coins for your event or want info on Smart Coin® or fundraising? Send us a quick note!
GET a free custom challenge coin quote and free artwork if you start an order before the end of the month! Send me your requests.
I’ve been designing challenge coins for 30 years. None of them look the same! Let me turn your idea into a coin that people will love. Fill out the form to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A Smart Coin® is a custom 2" solid brass challenge coin with an embedded NFC NTAG 424 DNA microchip. When someone taps the coin with their smartphone, it instantly opens a webpage — donation page, video, website, or campaign link.
It’s a physical keepsake that triggers digital action.
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The NFC chip is embedded inside the coin and sealed under a 4-color printed insert with clear epoxy.
Anyone with a modern smartphone simply taps the back of the coin and the programmed link opens automatically.No app required. No batteries. No charging.
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Yes. We use the NTAG 424 DNA chip, one of the most secure NFC chips available. It supports encrypted communication and advanced security features.
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Most challenge coins are purely commemorative.
A Smart Coin® does something.It connects every coin holder to a digital experience when any NFC enabled smartphone is tapped to the coin.
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Absolutely.
Each coin is custom designed in high-relief 3D metal.
Front side: Raised 3D detail from your artwork or concept.
Back side: Embedded NFC chip with a custom printed insert sealed under epoxy.You approve the final artwork before production.
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Standard size is 2" in diameter and approximately 3.5–4mm thick.
We can produce larger sizes if needed. -
Minimum order is 100 coins for new orders or reorders.
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Item At the 100-coin level:
$345 one-time die fee
$13 per coin
Nonprofits receive a $3 per coin discount
Shipping is weight-based (100 coins ≈ 10 lbs).description
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Artwork approval: Typically 3–5 days
Production time: Approximately 30-45 days for regular challenge coins and 45-60 days for Smart Coin®, after final approval and payment. -
Gray Water Ops® holds the patent for custom minted coins with an embedded microchip.
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Gray Water Ops® is a veteran-owned company founded by artist Keith Hanshaw and William Zutell. With over 30 years of challenge coin design experience, Keith developed Smart Coin® as a way to merge physical craftsmanship with digital technology. He’s designed coins for the president of NASCAR, Anheuser-Busch, every branch of the US military, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, businesses , clubs, and organizations.
Make your next challenge coin a Smart Coin®
〰️Home of the patented Smart Coin®
〰️Smart Coin® inventor Keith Hanshaw creates the most technologically advanced challenge coin on the market.
〰️Gray Water Ops® Custom challenge coins, lapel pins & patches
〰️100 minimum order on custom products.
〰️Learn how Smart Coin® can energize your next fundraiser
Make your next challenge coin a Smart Coin® 〰️Home of the patented Smart Coin® 〰️Smart Coin® inventor Keith Hanshaw creates the most technologically advanced challenge coin on the market. 〰️Gray Water Ops® Custom challenge coins, lapel pins & patches 〰️100 minimum order on custom products. 〰️Learn how Smart Coin® can energize your next fundraiser
AFSOC Aircraft Smart Coin® Series Announced 11/26/25
If you love challenge coins, this series commemorates the aircraft of AFSOC Air Force Special Operations Command. This is a Smart Coin. Tap a smartphone with NFC to the front of any coin to learn more about that aircraft. Pre-Order the first coin in the series. Currently in production and will ship in January 2026.
Coin 1 AC-130J
Challenge Coins designed by artist Keith Hanshaw
“I’ve seen a lot of coins, most of them junk. This is without a doubt, the most beautifully rendered coin I’ve ever seen. This is from a drawing of my son Steve. It’s called ‘The Grunt’ when he was in the Marines. It’s probably the most famous drawing in the Marine Corps. We’ve seen it on everything from cups to shot glasses to covering a guys entire back as a tattoo, Ah, it’s amazing but you’ve done a great job.”
“We take ordinary coin designs and turn them into extraordinary coin designs with exceptional weight, thickness and detail. A Gray Water Ops, LLC coin is quite frankly, a better quality custom challenge coin, according to our happy customers”
