Metal Coins vs Cardboard Tokens: Which Upgrade Is Worth It?
By Garphill Games | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Comparisons
Metal coins feel better and last longer, but not every game needs them. Here is how to decide which Garphill Games coin upgrade is worth your money.
Quick answer
If you play a supported Garphill title often and enjoy tactile upgrades, metal coins are worth it. They replace the punchboard coins that come with the game, feel better in hand, and hold up to repeated play. If your group plays casually or you are saving for a new game, cardboard tokens do the job at no extra cost.
What changes when you swap cardboard for metal
Cardboard coins are printed on the same punchboard as the rest of the game. They work, but they wear at the edges, can be hard to pick up, and feel light when you slide them across the table. Metal coins add weight, a satisfying clink, and a finish that does not fray. The trade-off is cost and storage: metal sets cost more and add bulk to your box.
How to match a coin set to your game
Garphill makes coin sets for specific game lines, not one universal set. West Kingdom Metal Coins are a set of 50 coins for the West Kingdom Trilogy and replace the punchboard coins in any of those games. North Sea Metal Coins are a set of 50 coins for Shipwrights of the North Sea: Redux and replace that game's punchboard coins. Check which line you own before buying, because a set made for one game may not match the coin counts or theme of another.
Cost, storage, and table feel
Metal coins cost more than cardboard, but they are a one-time upgrade that can move between games in the same line. They also add weight to your game box, so if you carry games to a club or store, plan for the extra bulk. At the table, metal coins are easier to stack and pass, which speeds up transactions in games where coins change hands often.
Trade-offs to weigh before you buy
- Feel vs cost: Metal coins feel heavier and more satisfying than cardboard, but they cost more than the tokens already in your box. Buy metal only for games you play often enough to notice the upgrade.
- Line-specific vs universal: West Kingdom Metal Coins fit the West Kingdom Trilogy, while North Sea Metal Coins fit Shipwrights of the North Sea: Redux. They are not interchangeable across lines. Match the set to the game line you actually own.
- Storage vs table presence: Metal coins add weight and bulk to your game box, which matters if you transport games. At the table, they stack and pass more easily than cardboard. If portability is your priority, cardboard may be the better choice.
Garphill coin upgrades at a glance
- West Kingdom Metal Coins: Set of 50 metal coins for the West Kingdom Trilogy, replacing the punchboard coins that come with any of the West Kingdom games. One set covers Architects, Paladins, and Viscounts, so you only buy once for the whole trilogy.
- North Sea Metal Coins: Set of 50 metal coins for Shipwrights of the North Sea: Redux, replacing the punchboard coins that come with that game. If you own the North Sea line, this is the matching upgrade rather than a West Kingdom set.
- Spirited: Deluxe Medals: Set of 21 acrylic medals for Spirited, a direct replacement for the punchboard medals included in the base game. Shows Garphill also upgrades non-coin components, so check whether your game uses medals instead of coins.
Which upgrade fits you?
Best for
- Players who own a supported Garphill game and play it regularly
- Groups that enjoy tactile upgrades and faster coin handling at the table
- Collectors who want a matching deluxe set for a specific game line
Not for
- Casual players who rarely get a game to the table
- Buyers who need one coin set to work across multiple unrelated games
- Anyone prioritizing light, portable game boxes over table feel
