How does die striking create a medal design?

Die striking is a process used to create medals by impressing a design onto a metal blank using significant pressure. The technique relies on a die, which is a hard metal tool engraved in intaglio—meaning the design is cut into the surface so that it appears in relief on the finished product.1

In modern production, the process often begins with an artist’s model, which is used to create a master punch. This master is then used to sink a matrix, which in turn creates a working punch and finally a working die. During the actual striking, a metal blank (or planchet) is placed between two dies—or against a single die set in an anvil—and subjected to intense force. This pressure causes the metal to flow and conform to the intricate details of the die’s design. While historically this was achieved through manual hammer blows, contemporary minting utilizes high-speed presses to apply the necessary force to produce the final medal.213