Die sinkers and engravers are artisans qualified in the designing, modelling and striking of medals and coins. They also oversee the machines from which these coins and medals are struck.
When a new coin or medal is made, a sketch-plan is made of that which will be portrayed. This is often the task of the die sinker and engraver. These designs can be front views, skew or profile views of well- known people, portraits of buildings, or of symbolical designs. After the institution that proposes the medal or coin has approved the sketch design, the design is modelled. This task requires exact craftsmanship and is usually done by the die sinker and engraver. The initials of the modeller are struck onto the medal or coin, with the design. The model is then moulded into a plaster negative and an acrylic positive.
Hereafter the die sinker and engraver supervises the reducing process, where the acrylic positive is used to cut a steel the that will be the actual size of the final product. A negative is again printed from this positive die to which the necessary wording is added with letter and number punches.
The engraving process includes machine and hand engraving of monograms, different letterforms, and decorative work on precious metals. Engraving is done on moulds, plastic and metal advertising signs, metal attachments, clasps, buckles, buttons, badges, medallions and memorial coins. They also emboss rollers for tinfoil or plastic date stamps and plaques.