Appearing as the latest release in the United States Armed Forces Silver Medal Program is the U.S. Air Force 1 Ounce Silver Medal. The strike goes on sale beginning at Noon ET today and is offered for $65.
This medal is the first of the U.S. Mint’s Armed Forces program to be featured in a 1-ounce size and bears the same basic designs as on the larger 2.5-ounce version which debuted in July of last year. It has a diameter of 1.598 inches and it is minted from 99.9% fine silver.
The medals have a matte finish, which is similar in appearance to that of an uncirculated coin, and they ship encapsulated within a blue U.S. Mint presentation box.
U.S. Air Force Silver Medal Designs
Like the 2.5-ounce edition, the 1-ounce Air Force Silver Medal depicts a fighter jet pilot on its obverse (heads side). Behind, we find F-22 fighter jets with a stylized landscape below. An inscription reads "U.S. AIR FORCE."
United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer Paul C. Balan created the design with sculpting completed by United States Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill.
The medal’s reverse (tails side) offers an artistic perspective of the three spires of the Air Force Memorial located in Arlington, Virginia. Surrounding the memorial are members of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard in ceremonial assembly. Core values of the Air Force are inscribed around the border — "INTEGRITY FIRST", "SERVICE BEFORE SELF" and "EXCELLENCE IN ALL WE DO."
AIP Designer Jamie Franki created the reverse design with Hemphill sculpting.
Medal Specifications
| Denomination: | N/A |
|---|---|
| Finish: | Matte |
| Composition: | 99.9% Silver |
| Silver Weight: | 1.000 troy oz. |
| Diameter: | 1.598 in. / 40.60 mm |
| Edge: | Plain |
| Mint and Mint Mark: | N/A |
| Privy Mark: | None |
| Design: | Obverse Designer: Paul C. Balan, Artistic Infusion Program Designer Obverse Sculptor: Phebe Hemphill, United States Mint Medallic Artist Reverse Designer: Jamie Franki, Artistic Infusion Program Designer Reverse Sculptor: Phebe Hemphill, United States Mint Medallic Artist |
| Struck Under Authority of: | 31 U.S.C. § 5111(a)(2) |
| Place Struck: | N/A |
Ordering
The Air Force 1 Ounce Silver Medal is available directly from the U.S. Mint via their online store for silver medals.
It has no stated restrictions, including initial household order limits or mintage limits.
Armed Forces Silver Medal Program
The U.S. Mint’s Armed Forces Silver Medal Program was introduced last year and has seen a total of four prior issues, including:
- Air Force 2.5 oz Medal released on July 13, 2021
- Coast Guard 2.5 oz Medal released on Aug. 17, 2021
- Navy 2.5 oz Medal released on March 11, 2022
- Marine 2.5 oz Medal released on July 15, 2022
These larger format medals have sold out with maximum mintages of 10,000 apiece. The 2.5-ounce Army and Space Force Silver Medals will make their entrance next year.
In the smaller format, the Coast Guard 1 Ounce Silver Medal will go on sale Sept. 26 with others to follow at yet unannounced dates.
Companion Armed Forces Bronze Medals are also planned.
