A “1 year AA coin” is a sobriety token that many Alcoholics Anonymous groups utilize to commemorate one year of continuous abstinence from alcohol. You may also hear it called a 1 year AA chip, 1 year AA medallion, 1 year AA token, a 1 year sobriety coin, or simply a 1 year chip. Terminology shifts across meetings, but the underlying intent is usually consistent: a tangible reminder of time, effort, and ongoing commitment.
One practical detail is worth stating early. Chips and coins are widely used in AA culture, yet AA as an organization does not manufacture, distribute, or sell sobriety tokens, and AA history sources describe chips as a local custom rather than an official AA product line.
Key Takeaways
- Terms can vary across meetings, so “coin,” “chip,” “token,” and “medallion” may refer to the same type of sobriety milestone item.
- One year marks a full year of continuous sobriety and is often treated as a reminder to stay consistent rather than a finish line.
- Coins aren’t official AA products; many groups use them as a local custom even though AA does not sell them through AA.org.
- Common designs include the circle-and-triangle symbol, “Unity, Service, Recovery,” and often the Serenity Prayer, but exact layouts can differ.
- Colors differ by group, and while many describe the one-year chip as bronze, there is no universal AA chip color chart.
- Later year coins (2, 3, 5, 7, and 10 years) are usually annual recognition milestones, with presentation practices depending on the meeting.
- Buying or replacing a one-year coin is typically a personal choice, and privacy and preference often guide what people carry.
- Supportive sober living can help reinforce routines, accountability, and coping skills that support the stability behind year-one milestones.
- FAQs cover the most searched questions about meaning, colors, official status, and how coins are commonly shared in meetings.
Understanding AA Coins, Chips, Medallions, and Tokens
Why so many names?
“Chip,” “coin,” “token,” and “medallion” are commonly used interchangeably, partly because the item is often the size of a poker chip but may be made from metal and finished like a commemorative coin. Some manufacturers employ “medallion” for plated metal versions and “chip” for plastic or aluminum versions, yet most meetings treat the words as equivalent in everyday conversation.
What makes the one-year milestone different?
In many groups, the first year is the point where recognition shifts from months to years. Early milestones may be frequent and may utilize multiple colors; after the one-year point, the meeting may recognize sobriety “birthdays” annually.
What the 1 Year Chip Represents in AA Culture
A marker of continuous sobriety
A one-year sobriety coin most often marks continuous sobriety—an uninterrupted year without alcohol—but because recovery communities define “sobriety” differently and AA groups are autonomous, recognition usually follows the person’s stated sobriety date and the meeting’s local customs.
A reminder you can carry
Sobriety coins are intentionally compact, often described as similar to a poker chip in diameter, which makes them easy to carry in a pocket or wallet and to utilize as a quiet grounding object during a difficult moment.
A shared moment in meetings
In many meetings, receiving a 1 year AA coin is a brief group ritual in which the milestone is announced, the person accepts the coin, and the group acknowledges the anniversary; because practices vary, other meetings handle the same moment more quietly or do not utilize coins at all. If you want more context on how AA milestones connect to the program itself, this 12 steps of AA guide explains the basics in plain language.
For another Central Texas option, see our AA meetings in San Antonio guide for meeting types and ways to search local directories.
If you’re newer to AA, what to expect at your first AA meeting can help you understand common formats, including how chips are sometimes shared.
If you’re in Central Texas, our guide to AA meetings in Austin, TX explains common formats and practical ways to find local groups.
Are AA Sobriety Coins “Official”?
AA does not produce or license chips
AA history sources describe sobriety chips and medallions as a matter of local autonomy, and they record that it is not considered appropriate for AA World Services or AA Grapevine to produce or license sobriety chips and medallions.
Why groups still utilize them
Even without official status, many groups utilize sobriety tokens as a simple, visible way to commemorate progress, and some local AA offices carry chips for groups even though the items are not official AA materials sold by AA itself.
Eudaimonia's Success Stories – Real People, Real Freedom
Common Design Elements on a One-Year AA Medallion
The circle and triangle
A common design is the circle-and-triangle symbol. In AA history writing, the circle has been described as representing the whole world of AA, while the triangle represents AA’s Three Legacies: Recovery, Unity, and Service.
“Unity, Service, Recovery”
Many one-year medallions include the words “Unity, Service, Recovery.” When it appears, it typically points back to the Three Legacies idea and functions as a compact reminder of connection, participation, and personal sobriety. For a practical look at how “service” is often understood in AA, see our AA Step 12 explained guide.
AA Ireland also summarizes this symbolism in its Circle and Triangle quote archive entry.
Roman numeral “I” or the number “1”
A 1 year AA chip often displays a large “1” or a Roman numeral “I” to mark the year. This is mostly practical: it makes the milestone easy to identify at a glance, even in a crowded meeting or a mixed collection.
The Serenity Prayer and other text
Many sobriety coins place the Serenity Prayer on the reverse side, although not all do. Some coins also include phrases such as “One Day at a Time” or another short motto, and variation is expected because there is no single official design standard.
For the commonly used wording in AA contexts, see Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain’s Serenity Prayer page.
Materials, finishes, and personalization
Even when the meaning is the same, the physical coin can look very different: bronze, aluminum, plated metals, enamel color fills, and clear epoxy-style coatings are all common options. Some groups prefer plain designs for consistency, while others select personalized coins with a name, a sobriety date, or a short message; the choice is typically personal and local rather than program-wide.
Where the One-Year Coin Fits Among Milestones
First-year chips and colors
Some meetings utilize a color system during the first year to mark earlier milestones, such as 24 hours, 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, six months, and nine months, and one commonly described set ends with a bronze chip for 1 year of sobriety (although many groups employ fewer milestones or different colors).
If you are trying to understand what your local group does, the most reliable approach is to observe, inquire with a trusted member, or check whether the group has a brief “chip script,” since there is no universal AA chip color chart that applies everywhere.
For a realistic overview of common challenges and changes during this period, see what to expect in your first year of sobriety.
For a broader overview of common milestones and AA chip colors in order, see our guide to AA chips and sobriety milestones.
Yearly coins after the first year
After one year, many groups recognize anniversaries yearly. This is the context for searches like aa ten year coin or 10 year sober coin: people often want to understand how longer-term recognition is handled and what a later medallion might look like.
Other Year Coins People Ask About
AA coins 2 years
“AA coins 2 years” generally refers to a second-year anniversary coin. In many traditions, yearly coins after the first year are also bronze, with the year number changing, although premium designs can incorporate different metals, colors, plating, or engraving.
3 year AA chip
A 3 year AA chip is a third-year sobriety coin. In practice, it is another annual marker, and its meaning is still about continuity rather than perfection, since long-term sobriety can still involve stress, change, and ongoing support.
AA 5 year coin and 5 year sober chip
An AA 5 year coin (or 5 year sober chip) marks a five-year sobriety anniversary. The common interpretation is straightforward: it recognizes time and sustained effort across multiple seasons of life, including setbacks that were managed without alcohol.
AA 6 year coin
An AA 6 year coin follows the same basic idea as other yearly coins. In groups that give annual chips, the sixth-year medallion may look almost identical to a five-year coin, with the year number as the primary difference.
7 year AA coin
A 7 year AA coin marks seven years of sobriety. By this point, some members retain coins at home as a personal record, while others carry only their most recent coin; neither approach is more “correct” than the other.
AA ten year chip, AA ten year coin, and 10 year sober coin
A ten-year milestone is one of the more visible anniversaries in many groups, so searches like 10 year AA coin, aa ten year chip, aa ten year coin, and 10 year sober coin are common. The token still functions as a symbol, but a ten-year anniversary may be treated as a larger “birthday” recognition at meetings, depending on local custom.
Choosing, Giving, or Replacing a 1 Year AA Coin
Selecting a style without making assumptions
If you are choosing a 1 year AA medallion as a gift, a neutral approach is usually safest because preferences vary and privacy can matter. Some people prefer minimal wording, some dislike personalized dates, and some avoid items that could draw attention in public settings.
In practical terms, selection criteria often include a clearly legible “1” or “I,” a standard pocket-friendly diameter, and minimal personally identifying information to support privacy.
Replacing a lost coin
Coins can be misplaced or lost, and replacement is usually treated as a personal choice rather than a formal process; some groups can provide another chip if asked, and others replace a coin by purchasing a similar medallion that matches their preferred design.
How Eudaimonia Recovery Homes Supports One-Year Milestones
Eudaimonia Recovery Homes supports people working toward milestones like the 1 year AA coin by offering a stable, substance-free living environment and a consistent daily routine. In this setting, residents connect the meaning of a chip or medallion to daily actions, such as attending recovery meetings, maintaining structure, and following through on responsibilities.
Living alongside others who focus on recovery adds daily accountability and reduces isolation, which often becomes more important as anniversaries approach. Eudaimonia also helps residents develop coping strategies for stress, cravings, and triggers so the one-year milestone reflects steady progress rather than a single moment.
Many people reach a one-year milestone while rebuilding work, family, and community connections. A recovery home provides a calmer foundation while residents take those steps. If someone feels unsure about what a 1 year coin represents in their local AA community, they can focus on personal goals and consistency instead of perfection.
No housing program guarantees outcomes. However, supportive sober living reduces common relapse risks by adding structure, peer support, and time to stabilize. Over time, that stability helps the one-year milestone feel less like an endpoint and more like one part of a longer recovery process.
To learn more about structure, expectations, and housing options, explore Eudaimonia sober living homes.
Other Sober Living Locations
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Year AA Coins
What does a 1 year AA coin mean?
A 1 year AA coin (also called a 1 year AA chip, 1 year AA medallion, or 1 year AA token) typically recognizes one full year of continuous sobriety. Many people treat it as a personal reminder of consistency and ongoing commitment rather than an “end point.”
What color is the 1 year AA chip?
In many groups, the 1 year chip is commonly described as bronze. However, chip systems can vary by group and region, so the most accurate answer is what your local meeting uses.
Is there an official AA medallion or AA coin?
AA groups may use sobriety tokens, but AA does not produce or sell official chips/coins/medallions through AA.org, and sobriety coins are widely described as a custom rather than an official AA product.
How do you get a 1 year sobriety coin in a meeting?
Many groups present sobriety chips during a brief recognition moment at the beginning or end of a meeting, and some groups keep a small supply on hand for milestones. Practices vary, so it may be as simple as attending and accepting it when anniversaries are recognized.
Can you buy a 1 year AA coin or one year sobriety coin?
Yes—many private vendors sell one-year sobriety coins and medallions, even though AA itself does not sell them through AA.org. If you purchase one, it is usually best to treat it as a personal reminder rather than proof of membership or “official” status.
What do AA chip colors mean in order?
Many AA groups use a color sequence for early milestones (often including 24 hours and several month markers) and then recognize one year and multiple years after that. Color traditions are common, but they are not universal rules across all meetings.
Do all AA meetings use the same chip colors?
No. Many meetings follow a similar pattern, but variations exist based on region, group preference, and whether the group uses chips at all. The milestone meaning is usually consistent (time sober), even when colors or materials differ.
What symbols or wording are common on a 1 year AA medallion?
Many one-year medallions commonly include the circle-and-triangle motif, references to AA’s “legacies” (often phrased as Unity, Recovery, Service), a Roman numeral I or “1,” and the Serenity Prayer on the reverse. Since there is no official AA coin, design details can vary by manufacturer and group custom.
What’s the difference between a 1 year AA chip and an NA key tag?
AA groups may use chips/coins/medallions, while NA groups may use their own milestone items such as key tags in some communities. Milestone systems differ by fellowship and local tradition, even when the purpose (marking time) is similar.
After one year, do you get a chip every year?
In many communities, recognition shifts to annual milestones after the first year (for example, 2 years, 3 years, 5 years, 7 years, and 10 years). Whether your group recognizes every year, only certain “round” anniversaries, or none at all depends on local practice.
Can someone use a sobriety coin if they are not in AA?
Yes. Sobriety coins are used in multiple recovery communities and can be carried as a personal reminder even outside AA. The coin is typically symbolic rather than a requirement or credential.
What should you do with old AA chips?
There is usually no required rule for what to do with chips after you receive them. Some people keep them accessible (wallet, pocket, nightstand), some store them as keepsakes, and others only keep their current coin—what matters most is the personal meaning and usefulness.
