Silk Pearce designs celebrate St Paul’s anniversary

The Royal Mint and Royal Mail have commissioned Silk Pearce to design a commemorative medal cover celebrating the 300th anniversary of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Royal Mint, which led the project, commissioned consultancy Silk Pearce without a pitch. Silk Pearce has worked with both Royal Mint and Royal Mail for more than 20 years, making this the latest in a long line of collaborations, though it is the first time the consultancy has worked jointly with both organisations.

Silk Pearce’s cover design uses photography of the carved phoenix from above the south door of the cathedral, symbolising the rebirth of the cathedral after the Great Fire of London.

An accompanying insert card, also designed by the consultancy, illustrates and describes key milestones in the cathedral’s development, from its first construction in AD604 to the present day.

There are 15 000 limited-edition medals being produced, struck by Royal Mint and designed by engraver Robert Elderton.

The packs, which include the medal, insert card and a mini-sheet of two first-class and two 78p commemorative stamps, are available from 14 May, and celebrate not only the anniversary but the landmark completion of a £40m cleaning and restoration programme at St. Paul’s.

‘Silk Pearce has created an informative, high-impact medal cover that will be treasured by recipients and collectors across the world,’ says Royal Mint design manager Sarah Matthews.