05/23/2026
Finished up some awards (50mm challenge coins) this week. I donated materials & labour for my son's Air Cadet squadron's 65th Anniversary Gala this evening.
These are likely one the hardest coins I've had to design and engrave. At least they will be easier to produce every year going forward since the all programming has been worked out.
The original plan was to use 40mm coin blanks, but during testing I could not get the resolution that I desired for the "Hawk One Canada" on the jet -which is very small at 0.33mm tall by 3.28mm wide. I wanted to make sure this part of the project had some rendering.
Also, there is a large colour palette in the crest, and since I am limited to shades between bright polished brass and flat black in the final product, I had to make some judgement calls. Particularly on the crown where I created an offsett pattern, and the clouds where I had to use various depths to try and replicate shades.
One side display's the squadron's crest, and the other side displays artwork that was provided by one the cadets.
