MSgt J.W. Schaalma Retirement Challenge Coin
A custom 2.75 inch Marine Corps retirement challenge coin created to honor a distinguished military career with personalized artwork, meaningful service symbolism, and exceptional craftsmanship.
Marine Corps • Retirement Challenge Coin • 2.75" • Antique Brass Finish
Key Features
✓ Custom artwork
✓ Antique brass
✓ Personalized engraving
✓ 3D sculpted details
✓ Dual sided
MSgt J.W. Schaalma Retirement Challenge Coin
The Story Behind the Project
This custom challenge coin was designed to celebrate the distinguished military career of MSgt J.W. Schaalma. Created as a retirement keepsake, the coin brings together the many units, roles, and achievements that defined his years of service in the United States Marine Corps.
Working closely with the customer, we refined the artwork through several design revisions to ensure every element held personal significance. The finished coin combines military symbolism, squadron insignia, and meaningful personal mottos into a single commemorative piece that reflects a lifetime of dedication and service.
The Design
Every detail of this coin was carefully selected to tell part of MSgt Schaalma's story.
The front of the coin features his rank, Marine Corps imagery, aviation heritage, and military insignia, while the reverse showcases the units and organizations that played an important role throughout his career.
The customer also requested custom edge engraving featuring three meaningful phrases:
Semper Fidelis
Stay Motivated
Never Pet a Burning Dog
These were laser engraved around the edge of the coin to create a unique finishing touch.
Project Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Product | Custom Challenge Coin |
| Size | 2.75 inches |
| Finish | Antique Brass |
| Style | Soft Enamel |
| Thickness | 4 mm |
| Edge | Custom laser engraved edge text |
| Quantity | 100 pieces |
| Industry | Veterans & Military |
Design Highlights
- Fully custom artwork developed through multiple design revisions.
- Combined Marine Corps, aviation, and squadron insignia into one cohesive design.
- Personalized edge engraving with meaningful mottos.
- Antique brass finish selected to create a timeless military appearance.
- Large 2.75-inch format providing exceptional detail across both sides.
About Military Retirement Challenge Coins
Military retirement challenge coins are more than commemorative keepsakes—they represent years of dedication, leadership, and service. Many retiring service members choose to incorporate unit insignia, ranks, deployments, personal mottos, and significant milestones into a custom design that reflects their unique career.
Whether created for an individual retirement, unit reunion, promotion, or recognition ceremony, every project is custom designed to capture the story behind the service.
Inspired by this Project?
Whether you're designing a retirement challenge coin, a unit coin, or a commemorative military award, our team can help transform your ideas into a custom product that reflects your organization's history and traditions.