Challenge Coins Celebrating History and Legacy

The Truman Institute’s Civil Rights Symposium

President Harry S. Truman made some of the most consequential decisions in American history during his time as president.

He served as Commander in Chief for parts of World War II and the Korean War, made final arrangements for the United Nations charter, and signed Executive Order 9980, desegregating the United States military and making substantial strides forward in the civil rights movement.

To honor his legacy, the team at the Truman Institute commissioned a celebratory challenge coin for their most recent Civil Rights Symposium. The event creates opportunities for open dialogues on civil rights, educates communities on the legacy of President Truman, and honors the man’s commitment to justice. We were honored to be a part of the celebration, and took special care to help create a custom coin that would serve as a powerful symbol of hope, history, and achievement.

A Custom Coin for a Lasting Legacy

The Truman Institute’s challenge coins were shared during their Civil Rights Symposium with speakers, staff, and guests. Each became a symbol of appreciation for dedication to the cause and a meaningful keepsake to help Truman’s legacy live on.

The design was carefully crafted using 3D molding and iconic antique gold plating. The portrait of Truman was painstakingly recreated to ensure the details were as lifelike as possible. While there are hundreds of memorable and meaningful quotes from Truman, the team at the Truman Institute chose one of his most famous messages to include around the bust: “We know the way. We need only the will.”

It’s a message that carries the same weight today as it did back then. On the back of the coins, the design includes references to executive order 9980 in reference to Truman’s iconic contributions to civil rights, and, to make the coins fall in line with the traditional look of presidential challenge coins, we incorporated antique gold plating with blue accents. If you were to compare this Truman coin with presidential challenge coins made for more recent Commander in Chiefs, you’d see they share a similar look and feel.

Capturing a Snapshot of Character, History, and Legacy With Challenge Coins

Even before President Truman took office, challenge coins have been used to symbolize camaraderie, achievement, and shared values. Each one captures the spirit of an organization and ensures its message is forever remembered and honored. For the Truman Institute, these coins represent the ongoing commitment to Truman’s vision of equality and honor the man’s legacy.

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to inspire action, honor legacy, or celebrate achievement, we’re here to help! Here at All About Challenge Coins, our job is to help you create an amazing design that shares your story and leaves a lasting impression on every recipient. Let’s design something amazing and bring your community together!