Finding Your Way: Where to Buy AA Coins Near You and Beyond

If you’re looking to celebrate a sobriety milestone, support a loved one, or simply find a tangible reminder of your journey, you might be asking, “Where can I buy AA coins near me?” The simplest way to find AA coins, also known as AA chips or medallions, is often through local AA meetings and intergroup offices, or by exploring the vast selection available from online specialty recovery stores and major retailers. These small tokens carry immense significance, representing commitment, progress, and the strong community spirit of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s truly amazing how a little piece of metal or plastic can hold so much power and encouragement for someone on their path to recovery.

When I first started looking into this, I realized there’s a whole world of options out there, much more than just the basic chips handed out at meetings. You can find everything from simple aluminum tokens for daily reminders to beautifully crafted medallions celebrating years of sobriety. Whether you need a 24-hour chip, a monthly milestone coin, or a yearly medallion, knowing where to look makes all the difference. In this guide, we’ll explore all the best places to find these meaningful tokens, both in your local community and online, helping you pick out the perfect one for yourself or a friend. We’ll also chat about what these coins really mean and why they’re such a big deal in the recovery community. You’ll even find some great options like AA sobriety chips on Amazon or unique recovery medallions on Etsy that can be delivered right to your door.

Local Options for AA Coins: Finding Sobriety Near You

Sometimes, you want to pick something up right away, or maybe you prefer the connection of a local purchase. Good news! There are several local avenues where you can often find AA chips, coins, and medallions.

AA Meetings and Groups

The most common place to receive a sobriety chip is directly at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. Many AA groups hand out “chips” or “tokens” to members to mark various sobriety milestones, especially during their first year of recovery. You might get a 24-hour coin for your very first day, and then chips for 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, six months, and nine months. After that, yearly coins become the norm. These aren’t just pieces of plastic or metal. they’re celebrated in a ceremony, often during a “chip night,” making them incredibly special and deeply personal.

While groups typically provide these for free to their members, some larger meetings might have a small selection available for purchase, especially if you’re looking for a specific design or material beyond the standard ones. It’s always a good idea to attend a meeting and inquire. To find a meeting near you, you can use the official AA Meeting Guide app or visit the Alcoholics Anonymous website’s meeting finder. Just pop in your location, and it’ll show you what’s happening nearby.

Local AA Intergroup or Central Offices

If you’re looking for where to buy AA medallions near me and can’t find them at a regular meeting, your local AA Intergroup or Central Office is often the next best bet. These offices serve as a hub for AA activities in a specific area and sometimes stock a variety of chips and medallions for purchase. They’re like the local resource center for all things AA.

To find one, a quick search on Google for “AA Intergroup ” or “AA Central Office ” should do the trick. If your city doesn’t have one, try searching for the next largest city nearby. Give them a call before you head over to make sure they have what you’re looking for, or if they can point you in the right direction. For instance, the AA Central Office in Baton Rouge, LA, has an online store where you can purchase items, suggesting that many local offices might have similar setups or physical storefronts. Best PC for 1000 Dollars in 2025: Your Ultimate Guide to Budget Power

Alano Clubs and Recovery Centers

Another local option to consider are Alano Clubs or other community-based recovery centers. These places often host various 12-step meetings and sometimes have small shops that sell AA chips, literature, and other recovery-related items. Alano Clubs, in particular, are often independent entities that provide a safe, sober space for recovery meetings and social activities, making them a natural place to find these tokens.

It’s worth noting that while AA coins are widely used in AA culture, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services GSO itself doesn’t officially produce, distribute, or sell them. This means that the style and availability can really vary from region to region, and even from one group to another. That’s why exploring these local, community-run resources is so helpful. You might just stumble upon a unique find that resonates perfectly with your journey.

Online Shops for AA Coins: A World of Options at Your Fingertips

When you can’t find what you need locally, or if you’re just looking for a wider selection, the internet is your friend. There are tons of fantastic online stores dedicated to recovery products, not to mention major marketplaces that carry a huge variety of AA chips and medallions.

Specialty Recovery Stores

The is packed with online shops that specialize in 12-step recovery items, including an incredible range of AA coins, AA chips, and AA medallions. These stores are often run by people in recovery themselves, so they truly understand the significance of these tokens. They pride themselves on offering high-quality items and a vast selection you might not find anywhere else.

Some popular online destinations include: Best Laptop Under £1000 UK: Your Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

• The Token Shop: Known for a wide selection of monthly and yearly anniversary medallions, often featuring the Alcoholics Anonymous Circle and Triangle motif and the Serenity Prayer. They offer competitive prices and fast shipping.
• My Recovery Store: This store boasts a wide range of AA coins, chips, and medallions, from newcomer chips to poker-style chips and yearly anniversary medallions. They also offer personalized gifts and sometimes have bulk discounts. For example, their Las Vegas AA Coin is a popular, durable option with the Serenity Prayer on the back.
• Pass It On Recovery Shop: Owned and operated by people in 12-step recovery, this shop offers a large selection of bronze, bi-plate, tri-plate, bling, and aluminum coins, covering milestones from 24 hours to 65 years. They also carry NA medallions and affirmation coins.
• My 12 Step Store: This national addiction recovery store in West Hollywood also ships worldwide, offering a huge collection of classic and unique medallion styles, along with other recovery essentials. They cater to various recovery programs, not just AA.
• Sober Medallions: This store specializes in AA coins, chips, and tokens, with exclusive medallions and personalized editions for different communities like bikers, veterans, and more. They also offer affirmation medallions with inspirational messages.
• RecoveryChip: This site offers a curated selection of AA coins that can ship very quickly, making it a good option if you need a coin ASAP.

These stores often provide detailed descriptions, allowing you to choose the perfect design, material, and year for the milestone you’re celebrating. They’re a fantastic resource for finding exactly what you’re looking for, whether it’s a simple token or a more elaborate, personalized piece.

Online Marketplaces: Amazon and Etsy

For sheer variety and convenience, you can’t beat major online marketplaces like Amazon and Etsy.

• Amazon: You can find a vast array of AA coins, AA chips, and AA medallions on Amazon. From basic aluminum chips for group distribution to more elaborate, gold-plated anniversary medallions, there’s something for every budget and preference. Many sellers offer various colors and designs, and you can often find sobriety coins with different inspirational messages or the Serenity Prayer. The benefit here is easy comparison shopping, customer reviews, and often fast shipping, especially if you have Amazon Prime.
• Etsy: If you’re looking for something truly unique, handmade, or personalized, Etsy is the place to go. Many independent sellers on Etsy craft beautiful and distinctive AA medallions, often offering customization options for years, names, or special messages. You can find anything from elegant silver-plated coins to vibrant, colorful designs and even AA medallion key chain holders. It’s a great way to find a thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gift. Many Etsy shops also offer included shipping on their AA medallions.

Variety of Designs and Personalization

One of the coolest things about buying online is the sheer number of options. You’re not just limited to standard bronze or aluminum chips. You can find:

• Different materials: Plastic, aluminum, bronze, brass, gold-plated, silver-plated, and even those with crystals.
• Unique designs: Beyond the classic Circle and Triangle, you’ll see coins with intricate artwork, empowering symbols like the Tree of Life, butterflies, or phoenixes, and even themed medallions like the Las Vegas one mentioned earlier.
• Personalization: Many online retailers offer engraving services, allowing you to add a name, a specific date, or a personal message, making the coin even more special. This is especially meaningful for yearly anniversary medallions.

Whether you’re after a bulk order of 24-hour AA chips for your group or a single, exquisite medallion for a significant personal anniversary, online stores provide unparalleled choice and convenience. The Best Dive Watches Under $100: Your Ultimate Guide to Affordable Aquatics

Understanding AA Coins: More Than Just a Token

These small, round tokens are incredibly powerful symbols within Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs. They’re not just trinkets. they represent a profound journey of transformation and commitment.

What Do AA Coins, Chips, and Medallions Represent?

AA coins, chips, or medallions are tangible reminders of a person’s continuous sobriety. They serve several vital purposes:

• A Symbol of Achievement: Each coin marks a specific milestone, acknowledging the hard work, perseverance, and dedication required to stay sober for that duration. Receiving a chip is a moment of gratification and helps members stay motivated.
• A Physical Reminder: Carrying a coin can be a powerful daily reminder of one’s commitment to sobriety and the struggles overcome. It’s a physical anchor to their recovery journey.
• Hope and Courage: These tokens inspire hope and courage, reminding members of how far they’ve come and encouraging them to continue forward, even when facing setbacks.
• Community and Support: The act of receiving a coin, often celebrated by the group, strengthens the sense of community and support within AA. It shows that others understand and celebrate their journey.
• A New Beginning: For newcomers, the 24-hour chip, sometimes called a “surrender chip” or “white chip,” symbolizes the initial decision to live a sober life and represents a fresh start.

Essentially, these coins encapsulate the journey, the triumphs, and the ongoing commitment to a sober life, making them deeply meaningful for anyone in recovery.

The History Behind Sobriety Chips

The practice of using sobriety chips in recovery programs has a fascinating history. While not an official, conference-approved practice by AA itself, it’s a deeply ingrained tradition. The roots of sobriety tokens can be traced back to earlier temperance movements. For example, the Father Mathew Temperance Movement in the 1840s used sacred heart medallions.

Within Alcoholics Anonymous, the tradition gained traction early on. Dr. Bob and the Good Old Timers, a history book for AA, mentions Sister Ignatia, a nun who worked with early AA members in Akron. She was known for giving out Sacred Heart Medallions to her patients, asking them to return them before they took their first drink. Best PC Under $1000: Your Ultimate Guide for 2025

The first recorded use of a specific “sobriety chip” in AA is often attributed to Doherty S. in Indianapolis in 1942, who introduced the concept of a “surrender” coin for newcomers. By 1947, a group in Elmira, New York, was also noted for giving out sobriety chips. Over the years, this practice evolved and spread, with different groups adopting various customs for celebrating sobriety birthdays and milestones.

Decoding the Colors and Milestones

While there’s no single, official standard across all AA groups, certain colors have become commonly associated with specific sobriety milestones. It’s like a visual language of recovery! Here’s a general guide to what different AA chip colors often mean:

• White Chip: Often given to newcomers, symbolizing a new beginning or a renewed commitment to sobriety for 24 hours. It’s a “surrender chip,” representing the first step.
• Silver Chip: Typically marks 24 hours of continuous sobriety, serving as a daily reminder of the “one day at a time” philosophy.
• Red Chip: Usually signifies 30 days or one month of sobriety. This is a significant first step, showing commitment to change.
• Gold or Yellow Chip: Often given for 60 days or two months of sobriety, symbolizing hope and a bright future.
• Green Chip: Represents 90 days or three months of sobriety, marking a critical period of adjustment and growth.
• Purple Chip: Can denote various monthly milestones, sometimes 4 months or 9 months. Some sources also list it for six months.
• Pink Chip: Often used for 5 months of sobriety.
• Dark Blue Chip: Commonly signifies 6 months of sobriety. Other sources list blue for one year.
• Copper Chip: Often represents 7 months of sobriety.
• Bronze Chip: The iconic chip for one year of sobriety, and then for subsequent yearly anniversaries. These are highly cherished and often feature the Serenity Prayer on the back.

After the first year, bronze medallions are typically given for each consecutive year of sobriety, acknowledging years of sustained commitment and growth. These colors and milestones help members track their progress and celebrate every step of their incredible journey.

Choosing the Right AA Coin: Tips for Thoughtful Gifting or Personal Milestones

Whether you’re buying a coin for yourself or as a gift for someone special, thinking about a few things can help you pick the perfect one.

Materials and Durability

AA coins come in all sorts of materials, and what you choose can often depend on its purpose and how long you want it to last. The Best Work Laptop for Under $1000: Your Ultimate Guide!

• Plastic: These are usually the most affordable and are often given out at meetings for initial milestones like the 24-hour chip. They’re lightweight and functional.
• Aluminum: A step up from plastic, aluminum chips are also relatively inexpensive and come in various colors for different monthly milestones. They’re durable enough for everyday carry.
• Bronze/Brass: These are very popular, especially for yearly anniversary medallions. They have a classic feel and a nice weight to them. Many traditional AA medallions are made of bronze.
• Gold/Silver Plated or Specialty Metals: For more significant anniversaries, you can find coins that are gold or silver plated, or even made from other unique metals. These often look more formal and can be quite beautiful.
• Enamel or Crystals: Some medallions feature colorful enamel inlays or even Swarovski crystals, adding a touch of elegance and sparkle, often seen in designer or “bling” coins.

Consider how the coin will be used. Will it be carried daily in a pocket, displayed on a shelf, or worn in a keychain holder? More durable materials like bronze or plated metals are great for longevity. You can also find keychain holders for AA medallions to protect them while keeping them accessible.

Personalization and Unique Designs

A personalized coin can make a huge difference. Many online shops offer options to engrave a name, a specific date, or a heartfelt message on the coin. This transforms a standard token into a cherished keepsake, reflecting the individual’s unique journey. Imagine getting a beautiful bronze medallion with your sober date and name engraved on it – it’s a powerful reminder of personal victory.

Beyond engraving, the design itself can speak volumes. While the traditional Alcoholics Anonymous Circle and Triangle motif is common and meaningful, many specialty stores offer unique artwork that can resonate with different people. For instance, you might find coins with:

• Spiritual or nature themes: Trees of life, mountains, sunrises, or serene s.
• Inspirational quotes: Beyond the Serenity Prayer, many coins feature other uplifting affirmations.
• Specific community designs: Some stores even offer coins tailored to veterans, bikers, or specific ethnic groups, making the gift even more personal and inclusive.

These specialized designs ensure that the coin you choose truly reflects the individual’s personality and recovery journey. The Ultimate Guide to Best Women’s Watches Under $1000

Considering the Recipient

When choosing a coin as a gift, think about the person you’re giving it to. What are their preferences?

• Style: Do they prefer something understated and traditional, or something more decorative and unique?
• Material: Would they appreciate the classic feel of bronze, or would a brighter, more modern material like a colorful aluminum chip be better?
• Message: Is there a particular quote or affirmation that holds special meaning for them?
• Milestone: Make sure you get the correct milestone! A 1-year medallion is very different from a 10-year one.

The most important thing is the thought and intention behind the gift. An AA coin, chip, or medallion is a profound symbol of support, love, and recognition for someone’s incredible strength and commitment to sobriety. It’s a way to say, “I see your hard work, and I’m proud of you.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an AA coin, chip, and medallion?

Honestly, the terms “AA coin,” “AA chip,” and “AA medallion” are often used interchangeably to refer to the same thing: a small token given to mark sobriety milestones. “Chip” is a more casual term, often used for the early-stage tokens like 24-hour or monthly chips, while “medallion” often implies a slightly more substantial or decorative coin, typically for yearly anniversaries. But really, they all serve the same powerful purpose!

Are AA coins official Alcoholics Anonymous merchandise?

No, not really. The General Service Office GSO of Alcoholics Anonymous explicitly states that AA does not produce, distribute, or sell chips, coins, or medallions. The use of these tokens is a tradition that originated within the Fellowship and is a matter of local group choice. So, while they’re deeply ingrained in AA culture, they aren’t “official” in the way AA literature or the Big Book might be.

Can I buy AA chips for someone else?

Absolutely! Many people buy AA chips, coins, or medallions as thoughtful gifts for friends, family members, or sponsees celebrating a sobriety milestone. It’s a wonderful way to show support, encouragement, and recognition for their hard work and dedication to recovery. Just be sure you know their milestone year or month! Best Laptops for Under $1000: Your Ultimate Buying Guide

What are the most common AA sobriety milestones?

The most common milestones recognized with AA chips include 24 hours a white or silver chip, 30 days red, 60 days gold, 90 days green, six months dark blue, and nine months purple. After the first year, bronze medallions are typically given for each consecutive year of sobriety.

Do other 12-step programs use sobriety chips?

Yes, many other 12-step programs, such as Narcotics Anonymous NA, Cocaine Anonymous CA, and others, also use sobriety chips or similar tokens to mark milestones in recovery. The colors and specific designs might vary, but the underlying principle of recognizing and celebrating continuous abstinence remains the same. NA groups, for example, often use key tags with specific colors for their milestones.

What is the Serenity Prayer often found on AA coins?

The Serenity Prayer is a widely known and cherished prayer within the Alcoholics Anonymous fellowship, often printed on the back of many AA medallions. The most common version is: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” It’s a powerful message that resonates deeply with the principles of recovery and finding peace.

Finding Your Shot: What to Look For in a Camera Under $300