Silk Pearce creates mini-medal boxes

Commissioned jointly by The Royal Mint and the Royal Mail last November on the strength of previous work for both clients, the medals will launch alongside commemorative stamps celebrating each of the armed forces.

RAF medals will be launched on 28 July and Royal Navy medals on 17 September. The Army medals are available now. Each set is limited to a run of 1000.

Given ‘a fairly open brief’, Silk Pearce designer Harvey Lyon says he was asked to create ‘something that would appeal to collectors’.

The consultancy’s response was to create a presentation box, hinged at the top and carrying the colours of the force it represents. ‘The tab you pull to open the lid is the same material used on the medal ribbon,’ says Lyon.

A collection box to house all three sets has been designed by the consultancy, as have box graphics, pack sleeves and accompanying literature.

Lyon says he expects the designs will appeal to military personnel ‘who have received a real medal’, as well as to collectors. The medals will use the same alloy as full-sized models and require the same tooling.