Base Metals of Custom Coins

Are Plating and Base Metals for Custom Coins the Same Thing?

No they are not! The base metal is the core of your coin and is composed of different metal materials depending on what you’re looking for in the quality and style of your custom coin. The plating of a custom coin is a thin layer of metal that is placed over the chosen base metal. We produce coins like this in order to provide an outstanding final quality coin while also being able to keep to an understandable budget for you.

Why Choose a Certain Base Metal?

Each metal base has different material qualities that can change the weight of the coin as well as the difficulty of cutting out your custom design. Some of the metals are heavier or lighter, and some have magnetism while others don’t. We make sure that whatever final look and feel you’re hoping for, we can provide the best base metal for your custom coin.

Types of Base Metals For Your Custom Coin

Iron Coin

Iron is the least expensive metal to use for a base of your custom coin. If you want to have a coin that can double as a magnet, this is also a great option. Iron is our only material with a heavier magnetic attraction compared to other base metals. Iron is not terribly heavy so it provides a decent hold in your hand, but is a better choice for a display or commemorative coin. While it is the cheapest material, it will eventually tarnish with overuse. Not for a significant amount of time mind you! But it’s enough that it can be annoying if you want to have the coin in hand a lot of the time.

Zinc Coin

We use Zinc alloy when we need to have a lighter, easier-to-cut-through metal base. Zinc is a great option you are making a larger coin since a lighter metal.  It’s also ideal for a coin that might have a lot of ridging on the outside of the coin since the material cuts through smoother than other metal bases. However, we would push you to use zinc more for decorative coins that are being put on display, as the metal is prone to losing its finish with overuse with time or overhandling.

Bronze Coin

Whenever we see a project that demands a high-quality material and isn’t too heavily concerned with a higher cost, we know to rely on bronze as a base metal. What’s so great about bronze is that it’s heavier than other materials, making your coin really feel high quality. Bronze also holds onto enamel color for a longer amount of time compared to iron and zinc alloy. We primarily use bronze for a variety of our charms, since those are smaller in size compared to coins or lapel pins. So we can push into bronze more for our smaller-sized projects.

Brass Coin

Brass is similar to bronze in being what we would call a “high quality” metal as a base material. If you are looking to have a coin that has colored plating and want it to stay for an overly extended period of time, brass is the best choice. We have practiced evidence that brass holds onto its plating and enamel color for longer than the other base metals. That being said, it’s also one of the more expensive metals that we provide, so it’s good to make sure that your budget can afford to use brass as a base.

Not Sure Which Custom Coin Base to Choose?

We can definitely help you make a decision if you’re still not sure about which base to use for your custom coin. If you submit a formal quote request with your design and your parameters, we can help you make a choice that is just for you!