If you follow military news at all, you have heard about the Space Force. It is the newest branch of the US military, created in 2019. The first new branch since the Air Force was formed back in 1947.
But here is what most people do not know. The Space Force already has a thriving challenge coin culture. And it is developing fast.
I have been watching this space closely. Pun intended. The way the Space Force is building its traditions tells you a lot about where the branch is headed. And for anyone interested in Space Force challenge coins, right now is the best time to get involved.
Let me walk you through everything you need to know.
A Brand New Branch with a Brand New Coin Culture
The United States Space Force was established on December 20, 2019. President Donald Trump signed the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, and the Space Force became the sixth branch of the US military.
Starting a military branch from scratch is rare. It has only happened once in the last 70 years. That means the Space Force gets to decide what traditions it wants to keep and which ones it wants to change.
Challenge coins were an obvious choice to carry over. Every branch has them. But the Space Force is putting its own spin on the tradition. The coins tend to look more modern. The designs are sleeker. And because the branch is so small, the coins feel more exclusive.
The personnel are called Guardians. That name alone gives you a sense of the identity they are building. And Guardians love their coins.
How Big Is the Space Force Really?
The Space Force is the smallest branch by a wide margin. It has roughly 8,500 to 9,000 active duty personnel. That is tiny compared to the Army’s 460,000 or the Navy’s 340,000.
But small size has an upside when it comes to challenge coins. Fewer people means each coin is more rare. A Space Force unit coin from the early days of the branch will be a collector’s item someday. People are already trading them online.
The Space Force is organized into three main field commands:
Space Operations Command (SpOC) handles the day to day space operations. Satellite control. Missile warning. Space domain awareness. SpOC is headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado.
Space Systems Command (SSC) handles acquisition and development. They buy the satellites and build the ground systems. SSC is based at Los Angeles Space Force Base in California.
Space and Training Readiness Command (STARCOM) handles training and education. They develop the doctrine and train the Guardians. STARCOM is the newest of the three commands.
Each of these commands has its own challenge coins. Each base has its own coins too. For a branch with fewer than 10,000 people, there are a lot of coins floating around.
Key Space Force Symbols That Belong on Coins
If you are designing a Space Force challenge coin, there are certain symbols you need to get right.
The Delta symbol is the centerpiece of Space Force branding. It is a triangle shape that represents the Space Force’s heritage from the Air Force space community. The delta appears on the official seal, the flag, and most challenge coins.
The motto: Semper Supra. Latin for “Always Above.” This is the Space Force’s version of the Army’s “This We’ll Defend” or the Marine Corps’ “Semper Fidelis.” It belongs on any official Space Force coin.
The dark blue and white color scheme. The Space Force deliberately chose colors that are different from the Air Force’s blue and silver. Dark blue represents the vastness of space. White represents the stars. A good coin design uses these colors effectively.
Orbital and satellite imagery. Many Space Force coins include orbits, satellites, or launch vehicles in the design. These elements distinguish Space Force coins from the infantry or armor focused designs you see in the Army.
Stars and space backgrounds. The Space Force seal includes stars and a space backdrop. These elements translate beautifully into coin design, especially with raised relief that gives the metal depth.
The Guardian name and title. Some units include “Guardian” on their coins as a point of pride. It is a title that every member of the branch earned through training and service.
Types of Space Force Challenge Coins
The categories are similar to other branches, but the specifics are unique to the Space Force.
Unit Coins
Every Space Force unit tends to have its own coin. Delta units. Squadron units. Base coins. Because the branch is new, many units are still designing their first coins. This creates a unique opportunity for collectors to get in on the ground floor.
Command Coins
The Chief of Space Operations (CSO) has his own coin. The commanders of SpOC, SSC, and STARCOM have theirs too. These are given out to recognize exceptional performance. A CSO coin carries serious weight in the Space Force community.
Deployment and Mission Coins
Yes, the Space Force deploys. Not to combat zones in the traditional sense. But Guardians serve rotations at launch facilities, satellite control centers, and overseas locations. These missions get commemorated with coins just like any other branch.
Graduation and Training Coins
The first all Space Force officer training class graduated in 2020. That class had its own coin. Basic Military Training graduates receive coins too. As the branch grows, these training milestones will become more meaningful.
Commemorative Coins
The establishment of the Space Force itself is a major historical event. Coins commemorating the December 20, 2019 founding date are already popular among collectors. The activation of each field command also tends to produce a commemorative coin run.
Where Space Force Coins Are Different
Space Force coins look different from Army or Marine Corps coins. That is intentional.
Army coins tend to be rugged. They use antique finishes and thick metal. They feel like something you could carry through a deployment. Space Force coins lean toward a cleaner, more modern aesthetic. Bright finishes. Sharp lines. Detailed relief work that shows off satellite and orbital designs.
The culture is different too. The Space Force is a tech heavy branch. A lot of Guardians have advanced degrees in engineering or computer science. The coin designs reflect that technical mindset. You see more constellation maps and orbital mechanics on Space Force coins than you ever would on an infantry coin.
Another difference is exclusivity. With only 9,000 Guardians, a Space Force coin from a specific unit might only have a few hundred copies in existence. Compare that to an Army division coin that might run into the thousands. Rarity matters to collectors.
Space Force Coin Etiquette
The standard challenge coin rules apply to the Space Force. The coin check tradition is alive and well. If a Guardian taps their coin on the table, everyone present needs to produce theirs. Failure means buying a round.
But there is one difference worth noting. Because the Space Force is so small, the odds of running into someone from your unit at a random bar are much lower. Coin checks in the Space Force tend to be more deliberate. They happen at formal events, unit gatherings, and training graduations rather than spontaneous bar challenges.
The Space Force is also building its own unique traditions around coin presentations. With a younger, more tech literate force, some units have started using digital verification alongside physical coins. A QR code on the back of a coin that links to a unit website is not unheard of. It is a small touch, but it shows how the Space Force is modernizing the tradition.
Collecting Space Force Challenge Coins
If you are a collector, the Space Force represents a once in a lifetime opportunity. You can collect coins from a brand new branch from the very beginning. That is not something that happens often.
The most valuable Space Force coins right now are the early ones. First edition unit coins. Coins from the initial officer training classes. Command coins from the first CSO. These will only become harder to find as time passes.
Some collectors focus on getting one coin from each Space Force base. With only a handful of bases, that is a manageable goal. Others focus on field command coins. A SpOC coin. An SSC coin. A STARCOM coin. These three together make a complete set.
And because the Space Force is still growing, new coins are being created all the time. It is an active market with new inventory entering circulation regularly.
How to Order Custom Space Force Challenge Coins
Maybe you are a Guardian looking to create a coin for your unit. Or a family member wanting to gift a commemorative coin to a loved one in the Space Force. Or a collector looking for a custom piece.
The process is straightforward.
First, decide what type of coin you want. Unit coin. Command coin. Commemorative piece. The purpose drives the design.
Next, gather your reference material. The Space Force seal. Unit insignia. The Semper Supra motto. Any orbital or satellite imagery that represents the mission.
Then choose your size and finish. Standard sizes between 1.5 and 2 inches work well. Antique silver or shiny silver finishes are popular for Space Force coins because they complement the dark blue color scheme.
Finally, find a manufacturer who understands the nuances of military coin design. Not every factory knows how to render a delta symbol or an orbital path correctly.
That is where we can help.
Why CoolChallengeCoin for Your Space Force Coins
We are a custom challenge coin manufacturer based in China, and we work with military units across all branches. Here is why Guardians choose us for their Space Force coins.
No minimum order. Other factories might require 100 or 500 coins. We do not. If your unit only needs 20 coins, we can make that happen at a fair price.
Factory direct pricing. You pay the factory rate. No broker fees. No middleman markup. That keeps your per coin cost low, even on small runs.
Free design services. Have a rough idea but no artwork? Our design team will create a professional mockup for free. We can work from unit insignia files, concept sketches, or reference photos.
Global shipping. Based in China but shipping everywhere. Whether your unit is stationed at Peterson SFB in Colorado, Vandenberg SFB in California, or a remote site overseas, we deliver to your location.
If you want to see examples of our previous military coin projects or request a quote, visit our custom challenge coins manufacturer page. We also have a detailed article about the history of challenge coins if you want to read more about how this tradition evolved.
Final Thoughts
The US Space Force is writing its history right now. Every coin minted today is part of that story. Years from now, people will look back at the early Space Force coins the way we look at WWII era military coins today. They will be artifacts from a pivotal moment in military history.
If you have the chance to own or create a Space Force challenge coin, take it. These coins represent something new. Something that has never existed before. And in the world of military memorabilia, that is about as good as it gets.
Whether you are a Guardian, a collector, or someone who just appreciates well designed military coins, the Space Force tradition is worth paying attention to. It is growing fast, and the best coins are the ones being made right now.
CoolChallengeCoin: Custom Challenge Coins Manufacturer in China. One-Stop Solution. No Minimum Order. Factory Direct. Free Design. Global Shipping.
