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.
Just one today. If I need any more I will get on secondary.
ah, for the want of a hyphen
“Air Force 1 Ounce Silver Medal” sounds like it is (just) for the airplane
That’s an idea, one for Air Force One. Oh, don’t give them any ideas.
Or, it could be just for the First of America’s Air Forces. Perhaps there are big plans afoot.
I’m holding out to see what the Space Force medal looks like.
In any case, Antonio, you will live long and prosper.
Of the 4 that were issued so far, I like the Coast Guard medal the best. Marines #2.
I just hope the Army Medal makes a good showing or at least holds its own. Go, Army!
Don’t forget about Space Force Kaiser – will be the first Mint item for that service.
Indeed, Chris. The United States Space Force logo is a good first look at a possible design for the Medal, which by the way also resembles the Starfleet Command logo from Star Trek.
As shown here:
Since the very idea of a “Space Force” was essentially a vanity project from the beginning, it’s not surprising its logo would mimic Hollywood.
Footnote: Poor Kirk/Shatner looks overdue for a bathroom break.
Yes, Rich there were a lot of comparisons between the two when Space Force introduced their logo. The delta insignia was used by an Air Force command in the 1950s – forgot which one. Star Trek made it popular to the public but it has been used by the military before.
They call the Coast Guard folks Coasties so guess folks will call Space Force folks Trekies 😉
With the Space Force members being called “Guardians” perhaps “Planet Guard” (just like Coast Guard) would’ve been a better name.
Traditionally, Good Sir Rich, a true “Space Force” would consist of that entire branch of the Military operating entirely off-planet in the void.
Addendum:
“Traditionally” by way of science fiction; “technically” via science.
And quite possibly the last, Chris Terp, since with the Borg “resistance is futile”.
NICEEEEEEE 😉
Chris Terp,
“These are the voyages…”
Agree ECG, the Coasties got a good design from the Mint.
Definitely second that.
Picked up two of them. Charged Sunday afternoon by Mint for my enrollment.
Hopefully quick delivery for buyers.
Same here Chris except I only ordered 1. The enrollment program helps.
Yepperdoddles Rooster 🙂
And Mint has already generated a USPS shipping label for my order 🙂
I’m holding out for the US Mint’s 2.5oz Ukrainian Army Medal. That’s the 6th branch isn’t it?
You are right about that. How do I know? We’re losing in Ukraine. These impressive military ‘leaders’ have got the losing thing down pat.The Chinese are just laughing their asses off!
Would you have been this optimistic in early WWII, Larry? You know, pre-Pearl Harbor. I would say it is way too early to say who is losing, but Russia has not done nearly as well as they were expecting (or were expected) to do, and Ukraine is doing better than they were expected to do.
Point(s) well taken, Jeff Legan. Stalin once tried to starve Ukraine out of existence and since he obviously wasn’t successful now his spiritual heir Putin is attempting to do the same with fire.
The Ukrainians have two major advantages: they are fighting for their lives and they know the territory. The Russians have two major disadvantages: they are dying for nothing and their military is a rolling rust bucket.
As you pointed out, at the beginning of what would become WWII the Germans and Japanese seemed both unstoppable and invincible. How that ever changed!
Some essential points:
“We” aren’t in Ukraine.
China is just a much larger version of that hellhole North Korea.
I have never heard of anyone fleeing the U.S. to escape to a Communist country.
Daniel,
The Ukrainians are barely even a blip on that radar as Germany, Japan, South Korea and Israel are even now marking their 77th year as beneficiaries of U.S. military assistance.
I think Poland has already minted a donation coin for Ukraine Daniel so you can get that now 😉
God love the Poles. They saved Vienna from the siege by the Ottoman Empire in 1683 and now they’re standing with Ukraine against the Russian invaders.
“Remind Me“ status. Didn’t expect this on the first day.
Rooster,
Old Kaiser proverb: The unexpected is the one sure thing you can expect..
Welp, shipping is quick for this item. My shipping label for the two medals already generated 🙂
Chris Terp,
Hearkens to the title of a little known movie. Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins
Entertaining movie Kaiser.
Chris Terp,
I’m so glad you saw it; I don’t believe all that many people have.
Fred Ward, Joel Grey and Wilfred Brimley; each actor so very iconic in his own way. The innovative casting of this movie borders on genius.