Challenge Coins vs Collectors Pins: Which Should You Collect?
By Cephalofair - Epic Strategy Awaits | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: Comparisons
Challenge coins are 38mm metal discs with enamel highlights and game symbology; collectors pins are smaller, wearable enamel pins. Here's how to choose which to collect.
Quick answer
If you want a display piece that feels substantial and ties directly to a specific game, challenge coins are the better pick. If you want something you can wear or pin to a bag, collectors pins are more practical. Both are small, affordable board game collectibles, but they serve different purposes, so choose based on whether you value display or wearability.
What challenge coins actually are
Challenge coins from Cephalofair Games are 38mm metal coins with colored enamel highlights, featuring symbology and coloring drawn from Gloomhaven and/or Frosthaven. They are available in two designs: the Gloomhaven Challenge Coin and the Frosthaven Challenge Coin. Each coin measures 38mm and is made of metal with colored enamel highlights.
That 38mm size and metal construction give them a satisfying weight and a tactile presence that smaller enamel pins lack. They are designed to sit on a shelf, in a display case, or on a desk rather than on clothing. If you already own the games, the symbology makes them feel like a direct extension of the world rather than generic merchandise.
How collectors pins differ in practice
Collectors pins are typically smaller enamel pins meant to be worn or attached to fabric, like a jacket, bag, or lanyard. They are lighter and more portable than a 38mm metal coin, but they are also easier to lose and less substantial in the hand. The trade-off is clear: pins travel with you, coins stay put.
If you want to show off your fandom while you are out and about, a pin does that job. If you want a piece that feels like a miniature artifact from the game, a coin does that better. Neither is strictly superior; they just solve different problems for a collector.
Storage and display considerations
A 38mm metal coin needs a stable, dry spot. A small coin capsule, a felt-lined tray, or a dedicated display stand keeps it from scratching against other metal objects. Because it is metal with enamel highlights, avoid tossing it loose in a bag with keys or dice.
Pins usually come with a backing or clasp and can be stored on a pin board or fabric panel. They take up less space, so if your shelf is already crowded with game boxes, pins are the lower-footprint option. Coins take up more room per piece but read as more premium when displayed.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Display vs wearability: Challenge coins are 38mm metal discs meant for display; collectors pins are smaller and designed to be worn on fabric. Choose coins for a shelf piece, pins for something you can wear.
- Substance vs portability: A metal coin feels heavier and more premium in hand but is bulkier to carry; a pin is lighter and easier to take anywhere. If you want heft, go coin; if you want to travel light, go pin.
- Game-specific vs general fandom: Cephalofair challenge coins feature Gloomhaven and/or Frosthaven symbology, tying them to those specific games; pins can be more general. Pick coins if you want a direct link to Gloomhaven or Frosthaven.
Product facts
- Challenge Coins: Challenge Coins from Cephalofair Games are 38mm metal coins with colored enamel highlights, featuring symbology and coloring drawn from Gloomhaven and/or Frosthaven, available in two designs. This tells you the coin is a display-oriented collectible tied to specific games, so it fits collectors who want a substantial, game-specific piece rather than a wearable item.
- Frosthaven: Premium Game Bag: The Frosthaven: Premium Game Bag is designed to fit Frosthaven and the official Frosthaven Map Archive from Folded Space, with handle, shoulder strap, luggage strap, and a front organization pocket. If you are carrying a heavy game and your collectibles to a game night, a bag like this protects both the game and any small metal or enamel items you bring along.
Which should you collect?
Best for
- Collectors who want a substantial, display-ready metal piece tied to Gloomhaven or Frosthaven
- Players who keep a dedicated shelf or display area for game accessories
- Fans who prefer a tactile, weighty collectible over a wearable one
Not for
- Collectors who want to wear their fandom on clothing or bags
- Buyers looking for the smallest, most portable collectible option
- Shoppers who prefer a wider variety of designs beyond two coin styles
