Sobriety medallions and coins are small tokens that represent time in recovery, and they are commonly seen in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings. Depending on the group, people may call them AA chips, an AA coin, AA medallions, sobriety chips, recovery coins, AA sobriety medallions, or AA sobriety coins.
The labels vary, but the purpose is usually consistent and straightforward: to mark a milestone and keep the next day of sobriety in view, especially during early recovery.
Not every meeting uses chips, and the same milestone can look different from group to group, so it helps to treat chip systems as a local tradition rather than a universal rule.
Key Takeaways
- Sobriety coin basics — Coins, chips, and medallions are commonly used to mark time sober, but names and materials can vary.
- Why tokens help — Many people use chips for motivation and community recognition, though participation is optional.
- AA isn’t the seller — Chips and medallions are widely used, but they are typically not sold through AA’s official channels.
- Typical chip order — Many groups recognize early milestones like 30, 60, and 90 days, then 6 and 9 months, and 1 year.
- Color meanings vary — Chip color systems differ by group, so it helps to confirm what your meeting uses.
- Anniversary coins — After one year, many groups recognize sobriety anniversaries yearly (such as 3 years or 10 years).
- Where to buy — Some people receive chips at meetings, while others purchase third-party coins based on design and privacy preferences.
- Housing support — A stable, substance-free environment can make routines, accountability, and meeting attendance easier to maintain.
- FAQ answers — Common questions include chip counts, the white chip meaning, and when milestones are typically recognized.
What Is a Sobriety Coin?
Sobriety coin vs. sobriety chip vs. medallion
A sobriety coin is often made like a small medallion, while a sobriety chip is often plastic or lightweight metal; in everyday conversation, people mix these terms freely. Wikipedia describes sobriety coins as traditionally about the size of a poker chip, commonly around 34–39 mm in diameter.
If you want more context on how AA structure supports recovery, read our guide to the 12 Steps of AA.
Are sobriety coins “required” in AA?
No—chips can be meaningful, but they are optional, and some AA meetings do not use them at all.
Why People Use Sobriety Coins
A personal reminder that fits in daily life
For some people, a sobriety coin works because it is straightforward and tangible. A token can sit in a wallet, on a nightstand, or in a pocket, and it can serve as a brief reminder during everyday situations like commuting, paying a bill, or heading into a meeting. This does not make the coin “the reason” someone stays sober, but it can make the commitment feel more immediate on a difficult day.
A shared ritual that recognizes effort
In many meetings, picking up a chip is a short community ritual. Someone may pick up a one month sober coin or a 6 month sobriety chip, and the group response can make the milestone feel less private and less isolating for that moment. People also use chips as a way to celebrate consistency, even when other parts of life still feel unsettled.
When a token is not the right fit
Other people prefer not to carry a coin, track dates, or focus on counting time; that preference can be practical, especially if it reduces pressure or comparison. In groups that do not use chips, members may mark milestones in different ways, or not mark them at all.
Are AA Medallions Official?
AA does not sell tokens through its General Service Office
A common question is whether there is an “official” AA medallion. AA’s General Service Office states that it does not produce, distribute, or sell sobriety tokens like chips or coins, and Wikipedia notes that these tokens are used in AA culture but are not officially conference‑approved.
For Alcoholics Anonymous’ official guidance on sobriety tokens, see A.A.’s FAQ on chips, coins, and medallions.
A note about AA names and logos on coins
Because many coins are made by third parties, you may see “AA” language or symbols on products marketed as Alcoholics Anonymous coins; some AA service guidance treats AA marks as protected trademarks and warns against casual use on novelty items, including medallions and chips, because it can dilute the meaning of the marks.
If you are ordering a coin, a neutral approach is to choose a design that focuses on recovery themes (a date, a short message, or a general symbol) rather than an official-looking logo.
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AA Chips in Order
Common sobriety milestones people ask for
People often search for aa chips in order when they are new to meetings, returning after time away, or supporting someone else. The exact schedule depends on the group, but Wikipedia includes a widely shared first‑year pattern with “typical” milestone colors.
- White chip: a new start or recommitment (often given right away)
- 24 hours (often silver)
- AA 30 day chip: one month (often red). This is also the one month sobriety chip or one month sober coin.
- 60 days (often gold)
- 3 month sobriety chip: 90 days (often green)
- 6 month sobriety chip: six months (often dark blue). Many people also call this a 6 month AA chip or 6 month AA coin.
- 9 months (often purple)
- 1 year (often bronze): a common one year AA chip and the start of yearly “birthday” coins
For a deeper breakdown of AA chips in order, including common timing and how groups use them, see this guide.
Some groups add chips for months four through eleven, while others recognize only the larger steps (30/60/90 days, then 6 and 9 months, then a year); either way, the chip is meant to reflect progress over time, not a perfect path.
AA Chip Colors
Why colors are not identical everywhere
Searches for aa chip colors are common, but there is no single standard, since a meeting’s chip colors may depend on what a group orders or what a local supplier carries; Wikipedia lists a typical set where, for example, red is used for 30 days, green for 90 days, dark blue for 6 months, and bronze for 1 year.
If you attend a new meeting and the colors do not match what you expected, it usually just means the group uses a different set; when in doubt, the meeting chair or a sponsor can clarify what that group does.
Some AA service offices note that token designs and celebration customs can vary by region and even by group; see this AA central office explanation about sobriety tokens.
AA Anniversary Coins and Yearly Sobriety Coins
What “anniversary coin” usually means
After the first year, many groups give AA anniversary coins once per year, and these are often the pieces people think of as “medallions” because they feel heavier and more permanent than early chips. Examples people look for include a 3 year sobriety coin (or 3 years sober coin) and a 10 year sobriety coin, which are simply markers that someone has maintained continuous sobriety for that length of time in that community.
For practical, low-pressure ways to mark a one-year milestone, see our ideas to celebrate a sobriety birthday.
A practical way to think about milestones
Early chips can function like short-range checkpoints, while annual coins can feel like long-range maintenance; both are valid ways to keep track of time, and neither approach is required for recovery.
If you’re supporting someone earning an anniversary coin, here are suggestions for what to say on a sobriety anniversary.
Where to Buy Sobriety Coins and Chips
Getting sobriety chips through meetings
Many people receive sobriety chips for AA in meetings, often from a home group, because that route ties the token to community recognition.
Buying sobriety coins online or in stores
If you search where to buy sobriety chips or where can i buy sobriety coins, you will find many third‑party options, including sets for early milestones and specific year counts. You may also see listings for aa sobriety chips for sale or alcoholics anonymous chips for sale, and it can help to remember that AA’s General Service Office does not sell tokens through aa.org, so these products should be understood as third‑party goods.
When people shop for coins, they often focus on practical factors like size, durability, availability, and whether the design fits their preferences and privacy.
How Eudaimonia Recovery Homes Supports Sobriety Milestones
Eudaimonia Recovery Homes can support people who are working through the milestones discussed in “Sobriety Coin Guide: AA Chips, Colors, and Order” by providing a stable, substance-free living environment where day-to-day recovery routines are easier to maintain. Learn more about our sober living homes and how structured recovery housing can support day-to-day routines.
Residents typically benefit from built-in structure, shared expectations, and peer accountability, which can help reduce common triggers that interfere with consistent sobriety. For more detail on how structured housing can reduce risk, see how sober living can help prevent relapse in early recovery.
A sober home setting can also make it more practical to attend regular recovery meetings and stay connected to a supportive community. For someone earning early milestones like an AA 30 day chip, a 3 month sobriety chip, or a 6 month sobriety chip, consistent routine and social support can reinforce follow-through. Eudaimonia’s housing model can help residents focus on skill-building, healthy habits, and relapse-prevention planning while they continue outpatient care or other recovery services as appropriate.
Milestone recognition, including chips or coins, can be treated as a personal motivator rather than a requirement, and residents can decide how they want to mark progress. The goal is not the token itself, but the steady behavior change and support system that the token represents. Over time, that kind of environment can help residents stay engaged in recovery long enough to reach longer milestones, such as a one year AA chip, a 3 year sobriety coin, or even a 10 year sobriety coin.
Other Sober Living Locations
Frequently Asked Questions About Sobriety Coins and AA Chips
What is a sobriety coin?
A sobriety coin is a token used in many recovery communities to mark time sober—often tied to milestones like 30 days, 6 months, or yearly anniversaries. It’s commonly associated with AA and other twelve-step groups, but similar tokens can be used in many recovery settings.
Are sobriety coins, AA chips, recovery coins, and medallions the same thing?
Often, yes. Many people use sobriety coin, AA chip, AA medallion, and recovery coin interchangeably. The exact wording varies by region, group, and what the token looks like (metal coin vs. plastic chip).
Is there an official AA coin or official AA chip?
AA groups may use chips and medallions as a local tradition, but sources commonly note there is no single “official” AA medallion or chip issued by AA as an organization. In addition, AA’s General Service Office states it does not sell chips/coins/medallions on AA’s official site.
How do sobriety coins work in AA?
In many meetings, chips are given as a simple recognition of time sober—often during a short “chip ceremony.” The practice is widely recognized, but it’s also optional and not universal across all AA groups.
What are AA chips in order?
Many groups follow a common sequence in early recovery (especially the first year), then shift to annual AA anniversary coins. Exact colors and timing can vary, so the “order” is best understood as a typical tradition rather than a strict rule.
What do AA chip colors mean?
In many AA settings, AA chip colors correspond to lengths of sobriety (such as 24 hours, 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, and so on), with yearly coins often marked separately. Because traditions can vary, it’s normal for two groups to use slightly different color schemes.
What is the AA white chip?
The AA white chip is often described as a “desire” or “start” chip—meaning it can represent a new commitment to sobriety or a restart. Some groups connect it with the first 24 hours, while others use it more broadly as “day one.”
When do you get the AA 30 day chip or one month sober coin?
Many groups recognize 30 days as an early milestone and may give an AA 30 day chip (sometimes called a one month sobriety chip or one month sober coin). The specific chip color can vary depending on the meeting’s tradition.
What is the 3 month sobriety chip (3 months sober chip)?
A 3 month sobriety chip typically refers to a 90-day milestone. In many chip systems, it’s one of the most recognized early recovery markers because it reflects sustained change over multiple months.
What is a 6 month AA chip / 6 month AA coin / 6 month sobriety chip?
A 6 month AA chip marks about half a year sober (often described as 180 days). Many people view it as a meaningful checkpoint because it reflects consistency over time, not just a short streak.
What do one-year and multi-year sobriety coins represent (1 year AA chip, 3 year sobriety coin, 10 year sobriety coin)?
A one year AA chip (often a “birthday” or anniversary medallion) marks a full year sober, and many groups continue with annual recognition after that (2 years, 3 years, and beyond). A 3 year sobriety coin or 10 year sobriety coin generally refers to these yearly anniversary milestones.
How many AA chips are there?
There isn’t one universal number, because chip systems vary by group. Many traditions recognize multiple checkpoints in the first year (such as 24 hours, 30/60/90 days, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year), and then move to yearly medallions afterward.
Where can I buy sobriety coins or sobriety chips for AA?
If someone is looking for sobriety chips for sale or asking where to buy sobriety chips, they are typically sold by private recovery supply retailers (online or locally). AA’s General Service Office indicates it does not sell chips/coins/medallions on aa.org.
Do you have to be in AA to carry or buy a sobriety coin?
Not necessarily. Many people carry a sobriety coin as a personal reminder of progress, whether they’re in AA, another recovery program, or using a different support approach. The meaning comes from the person and their recovery context, not the object itself.
