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What are Chocolate Coins?
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Chocolate coins are coin-shaped candies made from chocolate. Milk, dark, and white chocolate are used to make coins, and they are typically foil wrapped in silver or gold. The surface of the coin is stamped with a pattern, and the foil may be decorated as well.
Some people like to give out chocolate coins at Halloween, as a symbolic gift of both money and chocolate. Typically, the coins are given out in small mesh bags or sealed containers, so that parents can be assured that the coins have not been tampered with. In communities where adulteration of Halloween candy is not a big concern, a household may simply offer a large bowl of chocolate coins, inviting children to pick out as many as they please.
In many cultures, chocolate coins are given out to young children to symbolize money and good fortune. At Chinese New Year, some parents give very young children these coins instead of money in red envelopes, under the assumption that the children will appreciate candy more at a young age. Jewish families also distribute the coins as Hanukkah gelt. Gelt is a Yiddish term for "money," and money often plays a role in Hanukkah presents. For younger children, chocolate coins are a symbolic form of gelt.
The idea of using chocolate coins to advertise or commemorate an important event is also widespread in the West. They are sometimes included in gift bags at weddings and other such social occasions, often with a specially embossed message. Advertisers may also use these coins to peddle their products, associating the company with a tasty experience in the mind of the consumer.
Depending on how they are to be used, there are a number of forms of chocolate coins available. If someone intends to order specially printed coins or labels, he or she should be aware that the company may require a large order to make it worth devoting their facility to the manufacture of the coins. Smaller chocolate manufacturers are usually more amenable to devoting the production line to the creation of special coins. They can also be purchased in bulk, or in pre-packaged gift containers. Dairy and nut sensitivities should be considered when purchasing and giving out chocolate coins, as many of them are made with dairy, and others are produced in facilities which also handle nuts.
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Learn more...AS FEATURED ON:
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![At Hanukkah, some Jewish parents might give chocolate coins to children.]()
By: AnykaAt Hanukkah, some Jewish parents might give chocolate coins to children. -
![Chocolate coins can be made from milk chocolate.]()
By: NatikaChocolate coins can be made from milk chocolate.
Discussion Comments
I think it's so cool that chocolate coins are getting a revamp lately. They're no longer just for kids; many companies have started ordering custom chocolate coins for company parties and meetings, and they are also becoming increasingly popular at private parties where a little "bling" is required.
So if you want to bring a little more shine to a party, then be sure to order some of the grown-up chocolate coins -- i.e., not just the milk chocolate coins, but dark chocolate coins as well, and be sure to provide a nice mix of both silver and gold chocolate coins to get the best aesthetic.
This is definitely a hot trend right now, and it's fun too!
If you're ever holding a party for a little kid, I can tell you, chocolate gold coins are going to be your best friend.
They work really well for a pirate party, of course, but they can also be used for a scavenger hunt to keep all your little guys busy.
Of course, you have to be sure to get the foil wrapped chocolate coins so you can hide them around the house without worrying about them getting dirty.
You can even get chocolate coins wholesale, so it's very cost effective too. And of course, kids love them, since they're shiny and chocolatey. This has seriously been my standby for everyone of my kids parties -- hope it works well for you too!
I have to say, I've never been the biggest fan of those little chocolate candy coins. I mean, they're so thin that they're pretty much done after one bite, and anyway, it's like biting into a chocolate cracker since they usually use fairly low quality chocolate.
Those pouches of foil-wrapped chocolate coins were always my least favorite thing to get at Halloween -- and I know my parents hated them too, since I left the little foil halves everywhere.
I mean, honestly, what's the appeal of those things? Are there any chocolate coin fans reading this, and if so, can you tell me what the big deal about them is?
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