In Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings, many groups mark sobriety milestones with small tokens. You may hear them called AA chips, an AA coin, AA medallions, or simply a sobriety coin. People carry them in a pocket, keep them at home, or store them in AA chip holders such as keychains and protective sleeves.
This post covers what these tokens mean, common AA chip colors, AA chips in order, how AA chip holders fit different coins, and where to buy sobriety chips.
Key Takeaways
- Sobriety coin basics — Chips and coins are commonly used to recognize time-based recovery milestones.
- Color meanings vary — Many groups use similar color patterns, but local traditions can differ.
- Milestones matter — Early milestones often include 30/60/90 days and 6 months, followed by yearly recognition.
- Year coins exist — One-year, three-year, and ten-year sobriety coins are commonly available as anniversary medallions.
- Holders protect coins — Chip holders help prevent wear and make coins easier to carry or display.
- Buying options — Many people get coins through meetings/intergroups or purchase them online depending on preference.
- Housing supports recovery — A stable, substance-free living environment can reinforce routines and accountability.
- Structured support helps — Sober living structure and peer support can strengthen follow-through and day-to-day stability.
What a sobriety coin represents
A sobriety coin is a token used in AA and other twelve-step programs to recognize time without alcohol (or another substance). Because AA groups are autonomous, there is no single, universal standard for chips and coins, and not every meeting uses them.
Chips, coins, and medallions: the terms people use
In most conversations, “chip,” “coin,” and “medallion” refer to the same general idea: a physical marker of time in recovery. The word “chip” is often used for poker-chip-sized tokens that cover early milestones, while “coin” or “medallion” may be used more often for metal tokens and annual anniversaries. Size can matter for storage, because many tokens are around a standard poker-chip diameter (commonly about 34 mm), and some are larger (often closer to 39 mm).
For additional context on terminology and symbolism, read our overview of AA medallion meanings.
Why practices vary by meeting
One AA group may hand out a full set of monthly tokens in the first year, while another group may recognize only a few early milestones and then move to yearly coins. A third group may not use chips at all. These differences are common and are generally a reflection of local custom rather than a formal requirement.
AA chip colors and what they commonly mean
People often search for AA chip colors (or even “AA chips colors”) because color helps members identify milestones quickly. The list below reflects a pattern used by many groups, but it is best treated as a reference, since colors can differ by region or supplier.
A common AA color sequence
Many groups use a sequence similar to this:
- AA white chip: a new start or a renewed commitment
- Silver or gray: 24 hours
- AA 30 day chip (red): 30 days / one month
- Gold: 60 days
- Green: 90 days (often described as a 3 month sobriety chip)
- Dark blue: 6 months (a 6 month AA chip or 6 month AA coin)
- Bronze: 1 year (often called a “birthday” coin)
Some groups also use additional monthly chips (for example, 4 through 11 months) and may repeat colors in different shades.
AA white chip and AA 30 day chip
The AA white chip is commonly linked to the start of a commitment, including restarts. The one month sobriety chip (often the AA 30 day chip) is a first monthly marker that many groups recognize. People also search for a one month sober coin, which is usually the same milestone in a different material or design.
AA chips in order
When people look up AA chips in order, they are usually trying to understand how early milestones lead into yearly anniversaries. The milestones below are common, though specific chips offered can vary.
If you want a deeper breakdown of milestones and sequences, see our guide to AA chips in order.
A practical early timeline
A widely used pattern for the first year includes:
- 24 hours
- 30 days / one month
- 60 days
- 90 days (a 3 month sobriety chip)
- 6 months (a 6 month sobriety chip)
- 9 months
- 1 year
After one year, many groups present coins annually (2 years, 3 years, and so on), which is why people often use terms like AA anniversary coins, alcoholics anonymous coins, or AA sobriety medallions for multi-year milestones.
How many AA chips are there?
There is not one fixed answer to how many AA chips are there. Some meetings use a smaller set that focuses on early stability (for example, 24 hours, 30/60/90 days, 6 months, 9 months, and 1 year). Other meetings use monthly chips throughout the first year, then move to annual coins. Some sources describe “about 14” types of chips, which generally aligns with a monthly first-year system plus a one-year coin.
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Common sobriety coin milestones people ask for
Certain milestones appear frequently in searches because they are common recognition points and common gift times.
3 month sobriety chip
A 3 month sobriety chip usually refers to 90 days. Some people prefer a metal version and may search for a 90-day sobriety coin instead of a chip.
6 month sobriety chip
A 6 month sobriety chip may also be described as a 6 month AA chip or 6 month AA coin. In many groups, the six-month marker is treated as a midpoint in the first year, when attendance patterns and day-to-day routines may feel more established.
One year AA chip and AA anniversary coins
A one year AA chip is often a key annual marker, and after that, many groups use AA anniversary coins each year. Annual tokens are sometimes called AA medallions or AA sobriety coins, and they may include the year count (2 years, 3 years, 10 years, and beyond).
3 year sobriety coin
A 3 year sobriety coin (or 3 years sober coin) is a common multi-year medallion. The milestone is the same whether the token is described as a coin, chip, or medallion; the difference is usually design, material, or size.
10 year sobriety coin
A 10 year sobriety coin is often treated as a major anniversary. People may carry it, but it is also common to store longer-term coins in a protective holder or display case, especially when the coin has a heavier finish.
Choosing AA chip holders
AA chip holders are accessories designed to protect, display, or carry coins and chips. A good fit depends on daily use, size, and how visible you want the coin to be.
Holder styles and when they make sense
Keychain holders are common for everyday carry because they stay attached to keys and are harder to misplace. Wallet sleeves and pocket holders can be lower profile, which matters if you carry multiple items. Display holders (small stands, boxes, or frames) are used more often for a one year AA chip and longer-term anniversary coins that you do not want to scratch in a pocket.
Size and fit for AA medallions and recovery coins
When you see listings for “AA medallion holders,” the holder is often designed for a specific diameter. A common coin diameter is around 34 mm, and some coins are closer to 39 mm, so checking the measurement before you buy is practical. Thickness also varies, and some multi-year coins are thicker than first-year chips.
A short checklist before buying a holder
If you are shopping for an AA coin holder or sobriety chip holder, it helps to confirm:
- the coin diameter (for example, 34 mm vs. 39 mm)
- whether the holder shows both sides
- whether the closure is secure (snap, screw, zipper, or magnet)
- whether the holder is intended for a single coin or a small set
Where to buy sobriety chips and coins
People often search for where can I buy sobriety coins, where to buy sobriety chips, or terms like AA sobriety chips for sale. There are a few common paths.
Getting chips through meetings
Many groups keep basic chips available for early milestones, such as 24 hours, AA 30 day chip, 60 days, and 90 days. If you are attending meetings, asking the meeting secretary, greeter, or chip person is usually the most direct way to learn what that group uses.
Buying sobriety coins online
Online listings can include metal sobriety coins, multi-year medallions, and replacement chips. You may see product pages labeled sobriety chips, sobriety chips for AA, AA sobriety coins, AA medallions, alcoholics anonymous chips for sale, or alcoholics anonymous coins. When chips are offered for sale, practical details matter more than design alone: milestone accuracy, diameter, thickness, and whether the coin fits your holder.
It is also common to see broader “recovery coins” that are not specific to AA, which can be relevant if a person is in another program or prefers a more general token.
Sobriety coins in sober living and transitional living settings
A coin is not treatment, but it can function as a small reminder within a structured routine, including in outpatient sober living.
For readers exploring next-step support after treatment, our overview of sober living homes explains how structured housing can bridge recovery into daily life.
Federal guidance emphasizes that recovery housing can support recovery and well-being by promoting choice and ensuring equitable access to housing models (SAMHSA guidance on recovery housing).
Milestones and a sober environment
In a sober environment and in a broader sober living environment, small cues can support consistent habits. A coin can serve as a neutral prompt when it is kept in a predictable place, such as a keychain holder, a wallet sleeve, or a bedside tray. People in clean and sober living homes, a sober living home, or a sober living house may use tokens as part of personal routines in the same way they use schedules, meeting lists, and sponsor check-ins.
You may also see the phrase clean & sober transitional living used to describe structured housing that bridges formal treatment and independent living.
Structure looks different across programs, but a phased approach is one common model; learn how a three-phase program can support gradual independence.
Quality standards describe recovery residences as safe, healthy, community-oriented homes where recovery skills are practiced through peer support and structure (NARR recovery residence standards).
Finding housing and understanding costs
People often look for stable housing while they rebuild daily structure, employment, and relationships. That search may include housing for recovering alcoholics, sobriety homes, or home sober living options, along with more formal listings. Online searches include terms such as clean and sober housing near me, sober living near me, sober living housing near me, sober living center near me, sober living programs near me, or sober living communities near me. Cost-related searches are also common, including halfway house cost, sober house cost, sober living house cost, and sober living cost, as well as questions about help paying for sober living.
Terminology is not consistent across communities. Some people use “halfway house” to describe a sober halfway house or a halfway house for recovering addicts. Others look for transitional sober living homes, structured sober living near me, recovery apartments, sober living apartments, or sober apartments near me, depending on how independent the setting is and what services are included.
If cost planning is part of your next step, this sober house cost breakdown explains common pricing factors and typical move-in expenses.
Housing options for men, women, and families
Housing can also be organized by safety and household needs. Listings may describe men’s sober living homes, women’s sober living houses near me, or family sober living homes, and some communities specify that they offer long term sober living communities. People who have pets sometimes search for sober living with pets or sober living pets allowed.
For people who rely on animal companionship and routine, pet-friendly sober living can remove a barrier to entering supportive housing.
Location-based searches can be very specific. For example, someone may search sober living austin tx, sober homes austin tx, or sober living apartments austin tx when comparing local availability, house rules, and commute needs.
Many residents find it easier to stay consistent when expectations are clear—here are typical sober living community rules that support a stable environment.
How Eudaimonia Recovery Homes Supports Ongoing Sobriety
At Eudaimonia Recovery Homes, individuals who value milestones like a sobriety coin or AA chip can continue building progress in a structured sober living environment. While AA chips mark time, daily accountability and community support help protect that time. Our sober living homes provide a stable routine, peer connection, and clear expectations that reinforce the commitment symbolized by each chip or medallion. Residents benefit from a safe, substance-free setting that encourages meeting attendance, sponsor communication, and continued personal growth. In addition, structured house guidelines promote responsibility and consistency, which are essential in early recovery. For those transitioning from treatment, our homes serve as a practical bridge between intensive care and independent living. As a result, milestones like a 30-day chip or one-year coin represent not only time passed but meaningful lifestyle change. Through community, accountability, and stability, Eudaimonia Recovery Homes helps turn symbolic progress into lasting recovery.
Research on outpatient treatment has found that using structured sober living during care was associated with longer treatment retention and a higher likelihood of satisfactory discharge (NIH-hosted study on structured sober living).
Closing
AA chips, sobriety coins, and AA medallions are small objects, but they are used in a practical way: to mark time, create a brief moment of recognition, and provide a tangible reminder that can be carried or stored. When AA chip holders are matched to the right size and daily routine, they can reduce loss and damage while keeping a sobriety coin easy to access when it is wanted.
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Frequently Asked Questions About AA Chips and Sobriety Coins
What is a sobriety coin?
A sobriety coin is a token used in many recovery communities to mark a period of continuous sobriety. Some people treat it as a private reminder, while others view it as a milestone marker shared with a group. The exact traditions vary by fellowship and local group.
What do AA chip colors mean?
AA chip colors commonly correspond to time milestones, but there is no single universal standard. Many groups use a recognizable pattern for early milestones, then move to yearly medallions after the first year. If you are unsure, the most accurate answer is the practice used by the specific group you attend.
What does the AA white chip mean?
The AA white chip is commonly associated with a new start, a return after relapse, or a commitment to begin again. Some groups present it for the first 24 hours, while others use it more broadly as a “fresh start” symbol. Meaning can vary by group tradition.
What is an AA 30 day chip?
An AA 30 day chip is typically given to recognize one month of continuous sobriety. Some meetings call it a “one month sober coin” or “one month sobriety chip.” The specific color can differ depending on the group.
What are AA chips in order?
Many groups recognize early milestones such as 24 hours, 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, and 6 months, then move to yearly coins after one year. Some groups include additional monthly chips in the first year. The “order” is the time progression more than a universal color sequence.
How many AA chips are there?
There is not a single required number because AA chip traditions are set locally. Some groups use only a few early milestones and then yearly medallions. Others use monthly chips for the full first year, then switch to annual coins.
Are AA coins the same as AA medallions?
In everyday use, people often use “AA coin,” “AA medallion,” and “sobriety coin” to mean the same general item. In some places, “medallion” is used more often for yearly milestones, while “chip” or “token” is used for shorter milestones. The terms overlap, and context matters.
Do they make a 3 month sobriety chip or 6 month AA chip?
Yes. It is common to see a 3 month sobriety chip (often referred to as 90 days) and a 6 month sobriety chip recognized in meetings. Availability and the exact style depend on the group and where the chips are sourced.
Do they make 1 year, 3 year, or 10 year sobriety coins?
Yes. Yearly AA anniversary coins are commonly available, including a one year AA chip and multi-year medallions such as a 3 year sobriety coin and a 10 year sobriety coin. Some groups present them at meetings, while others purchase them through intergroups or retailers.
Where can I buy sobriety coins or sobriety chips for AA?
Common options include local AA intergroups, meeting groups that order in bulk, and online retailers that sell recovery coins. If you want something aligned with a specific group’s tradition, asking a home group or local intergroup is often the most reliable approach.
