There is a unique category of medals within our honours systems that does not gather a lot of attention, that is, when one of these medals is not being presented. I am, of course, referring to Coronation and Commemorative medals. These medals have gradually evolved over time to the point that they are now given to some members of the general public deemed worthy to receive them. The rules for distributing them are now slightly different between the United Kingdom and Canada, with the British awarding them much more liberally. For example, the United Kingdom are issuing more than 400,000 King Charles III Coronation medals, compared to only 30,000 for Canada.
These medals are sometimes viewed differently than other medals, as some in the military have referred to them as “just another medal that comes up with the rations”[1], meaning that they are distributed somewhat regularly. That attitude towards these medals does not take into account the potential for long periods between the creation of medals and the fact that they are not nearly as widely distributed in the Canadian Armed Forces as they are in the British forces.
The first Coronation Medal was produced in 1547 to mark the Coronation of King Edward VI. Starting with the English Coronation of James I Coronation Medals were normally distributed at the Coronation service to those in attendance, sometimes being literally scattered into the crowd. It is important to note that these are not the same form of medals that are presented today, which are worn on the left breast, suspended from a ribbon. The first coronation medal to be issued in this fashion was that of King Edward VII in 1902, although similar commemorative medals to mark the Golden and Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria as well as other events during her latter reign. Only official medals commencing with the Queen Victoria Jubilee Medal issued in 1887.[2] We will only be addressing commemorative medals produced after this time.
While there have been some changes to the medals over the years, there are some common features. For example, when a King is crowned, the Coronation medal will include an image of the King and Queen. If it is a Queen, then only she will be depicted, as the male consort of a Queen is not crowned. There is also the custom that the image of the monarch will rotate with each new King or Queen. For example, King George VI faced left on coins and medals, while Queen Elizabeth faced right. King Charles III now faces left.
Queen Victoria Golden Jubilee Medal
In 1887, two commemorative medals were issued to mark the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, the Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Medal and the Queen Victoria’s Police Jubilee Medal. The first medal was awarded in three classes: Gold for members of the Royal Family, in Silver to the Royal Household, special guests, cabinet ministers, government officials, officers of the Royal Navy and British Army, and those who commanded ships at the Royal Review. In Bronze, it was awarded to the Other Ranks of the Royal Navy and British Army who took part in the Jubilee procession or at the Royal Review. The ribbon was garter blue with two wide white strips.
The Police medal was awarded to all members of the police forces on duty in London during the Jubilee Celebrations and Procession. It was only awarded in Bronze. 1400 were distributed to members of the Metropolitan Police and 900 were given to the City of London Police.[3] The ribbon was plain dark blue.
Only two Golden Jubilee Medals were awarded to Canadians, as Canada did not send a contingent. One of these medals was given to Prime Minister John A. MacDonald.[4]
Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee
In celebration of Queen Victoria’s 60th year on the throne, three different Diamond Jubilee Medals were awarded.
The Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Medal is identical to the Queen Victoria Golden Jubilee Medal with an identical ribbon, with the exception of the description on the reverse. The criteria for the levels of the award were the same. There were 73 awarded in Gold, 3040 in Silver, and 890 in Bronze. Those who had already received the Golden Jubilee Medal, received instead a Silver or Bronze bar with the year 1897 surmounted by a crown to be worn on their previous medal. The ribbon was the same colours as the Golden Jubilee Medal.
A separate medal was struck to be presented to Lord Mayors and Lord Provosts in Gold, and Mayors and Provosts in Silver. This medal was in the shape of a lozenge (diamond). 14 were awarded in Gold and 512 were awarded in Silver.[5] The Canadian contingent, which consisted of the Canadian Militia and the North-West Mounted Police was awarded 37 silver and 165 bronze medals. An additional 15 prominent Canadians received the silver medal. Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier received the medal as part of the Canadian contingent.[6]
The Police Medal was identical to the Golden Jubilee Medal with the exception of the date on the reverse. Those who had received the previous medal were given a bar with the year 1897 on it. The Metropolitan Police received 7481 medals and 8708 bars. The City of London Police received 535 medals and 485 bars. This medal was also awarded to other emergency services, as the London Fire Brigade received 950, St John Ambulance received 910, and the Police Ambulance received 210. The organization that the recipient belonged to was engraved on the reverse of the medal.
Queen Victoria’s Visit to Ireland, 1900
2285 Visit to Ireland Medals were issued to the Dublin Metropolitan Police and the Royal Irish Constabulary. The ribbon for this medal was identical to the Police Jubilee medals. Queen Victoria would die less than a year later, and the first occasion that these medals would be worn would be at her funeral.[7] The ribbon was the same dark blue as the previous jubilee medals.
King Edward VII Coronation Medal, 1902
Three different medals to celebrate the coronation, which was originally planned to occur on 26 June 1902, but was delayed due to the King falling ill with appendicitis. The medals bear this date, when in fact the Coronation occurred on 9 August 1902.
The King Edward VII Coronation Medal was presented in Silver and Bronze along similar lines as the previous Jubilee Medals had been. The Medal depicted King Edward and Queen Alexandria facing left. The ribbon was dark blue with one central red strip, with thin white strips on each edge. Due to the postponement of the Coronation, some colonial military delegations who had arrived for the original date were not able to stay for the actual Coronation. These individuals still received the medal. Two members of the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service who had nursed the King during his illness received the medal in Bronze.[8]
The Canadian contingent received 25 Silver and 608 Bronze medals. These were awarded in the Gardens at Buckingham Palace on August 11th.[9]
A medal was also struck for Lord Mayors, Mayors, Lord Provosts, Provosts, and other civic dignitaries. This version of the medal featured the King and Queen Alexandra facing right, instead of left. The ribbon is red with a centred blue bar, with a narrow white strip at the centre.
The King Edward VII Police Coronation Medal was awarded in Silver and Gold, depending on the rank of the recipient, whose name was engraved on the lower edge of the medal. The ribbon was red with a narrow blue bar in the centre. The reverse included the name of the organization in which the individual served, these organizations included City of London Police (5 Silver, 1060 Bronze), Metropolitan Police (51 Silver, 16709 bronze), LCC Metropolitan Fire Brigade (10 silver, 1000 bronze), Police Ambulance (1 silver, 204 bronze), and St John Ambulance (912 bronze).
A King Edward VIII Delhi Durbar Medal was issued in India in 1903.
King Edward VII Police Medal Scotland, 1903
In 1903, King Edward VII became the first King to visit Edinburgh since George IV. The design of the medal is similar to the Police Coronation Medal, with some differences, including the ribbon, which was plain red. There were 2957 medals awarded.[10]
King Edward VII Visit Commemorative Medal (Ireland), 1903
7756 medals were awarded to the Dublin Metropolitan Police, Royal Irish Constabulary, Belfast Harbour Police, His Majesty’s Coastguard, and the Belfast Fire Brigade. The ribbon for this medal is plain pale blue, the same colour as the ribbon of the Order of St Patrick.[11]
King George V Coronation Medal
This medal was only produced in silver and featured the King and Queen Mary facing left. The ribbon was dark blue with two thin red strips at the centre. 15,901 of these medals were presented, including to colonial contingents.[12] This included 1007 presented to Canadians, including members of the newly created Royal Canadian Navy.[13]
The Police medal only featured the King facing left. The name of the individual was inscribed on the lower edge. Once again, the organization that the individual belonged to was included on the reverse. In total 31,822 medals were awarded to Metropolitan Police (19,783), Scottish Police (2,800), St John Ambulance (2,755), County and Borough Police (2,565), London Fire Brigade (1,374), Royal Irish Constabulary (585), St Andrew’s Ambulance Corps (310), Police Ambulance Service (130), and Royal Parks (120). This was the first Police Coronation medal to be awarded to organizations outside of London who took part in official Coronation activities.
The Indian Durbar Medal was presented not only to those present at the actual ceremony, but throughout India. 200 were awarded in gold, and 30,000 in silver. Of these, more than 10,000 were distributed throughout the British and Indian Armies in India. Those who had already received the Coronation Medal were awarded a bar inscribed with DELHI to be worn on the previous medal.[14]
King George V’s Visit Police Commemoration Medal (Ireland), 1911.
Designed with a dark green ribbon with thin red strips towards each edge, this medal was identical to the Police Coronation Medal, with the exception of the inscription on the reverse. The recipient’s name was not included on the medal. 2,477 of these medals were produced.[15]
King George V Silver Jubilee Medal, 1935
This medal once again showed the King and Queen facing left. 85,234 medals were struck in silver and distributed throughout the Empire.[16] 7,500 of these were distributed to Canadians. 1154 of these were given to members of the armed forces. While various members of the Canadian Government received the medal, some were distributed to various organizations such as St. John Ambulance, the Red Cross, the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON), Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (IODE), and YMCA/YWCA.[17] The ribbon was purple with dark blue, white, and dark blue strips at each edge.
King George VI Coronation Medal, 1937
This Medal, designed by Percy Metcalfe, was struck in Silver.[18] It depicted King Queen VI and Queen Elizabeth. The medal was originally designed with the image of King Edward VIII, but was changed following his abdication. It was the only Coronation Medal presented, breaking with the previous traditions of creating multiple versions to be presented to different groups of people. The ribbon was dark blue, with thin strips of white, red, and white at each edge. Of the 90,279 medals awarded, 10,089 were given to Canadians. 1284 of these were presented to members of the military. The rest of the medals would be distributed to Canadians along the same lines as the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal.[19] This would be the only commemorative medal issued during the reign of King George VI, as the King died at the age of 56 in 1952.
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal, 1953
This medal was struck in silver and depicted the Queen facing right, wearing the Tudor Crown. The ribbon was red with two narrow blue strips at the centre and two narrow white strips at the edges. It was designed by Cecil Thomas. 129, 051 medals were awarded.[20] This number included 19,000 that were given to Canadians. These include 5,700 that were awarded to members of the Armed Forces. All Aboriginal Band Chiefs received the medal. Communities across the country were allocated medals based on their populations, for a total of 2098. All living recipients of the Victoria and George Crosses were given medals. For emergency services, the RCMP received 230, other police services received 330, and 178 were awarded to Firemen. 520 were given to Veterans organizations. [21] 37 of the Medals were engraved with Mount Everest Expedition and were awarded to members of the British Mount Everest Expedition, including the newly knighted Sir Edmund Hillary. News of his successful summit of Mount Everest reached Britain on the day of the Queen’s Coronation.
Canadian Centennial Medal. 1967
The first proposal for a Centennial Medal began in 1961. In 1963 the Department of National Defence and the Office of the Secretary of State proposed the medal. It was proposed to the Cabinet in May 1965, and was approved by Her Majesty The Queen on 27 June, 1966.
The creation of this medal coincided with the creation of the Order of Canada. The Department of National Defence initially suggested that every member of the Canadian military who had honourably served for five years should receive the medal. This proposal was rejected because it was felt that distributing that many medals would no longer be meaningful as a recognition of valuable service. The medal was intended to be awarded across all areas of society. While commemorative medals were traditionally 32mm in diameter, in order to distinguish them from Campaign medals, which were 36mm, this medal was minted in the larger size, meaning that it would not be visibly smaller. The ribbon was red with five white strips.
In total 29,500 medals were awarded. 8,500 were awarded to the Armed Forces. The RCMP received 275. All living recipients of the Victoria and George Crosses received the medal. Veterans organizations received 2000. 2400 were awarded to teachers. National organizations received 1500. This list is not complete.[22]
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal, 1977
Designed by David Wynne and struck in silver, the new medal depicted the Queen wearing St Edward’s Crown. The ribbon was white with two thin red strips at each edge, with a blue bar with a thin red strip at the centre. 30,000 were issued in the United Kingdom, including 9,000 that were given to the Armed Forces.[23] Prior to the creation of this medal, the United Kingdom determined how many medals would be distributed to each of the Dominions. In this case, they were given the option to determine that number themselves. Canada created their own version of this medal, with an identical obverse and ribbon, but with a Canadian-themed reverse. 30,000 medals were distributed to Canadians. On top of this, 1507 were awarded in New Zealand and 6,870 in Australia.
While the front of the Canadian Medal was identical to the British medal, the reverse of the Canadian medal was unique. The medal was awarded to Canadian citizens who contributed to their communities at the local, provincial, and federal levels. All living recipients of the Victoria Cross, George Cross, Cross of Valour and members of the Order of Canada, and the Order of Military Merit received the medal, for a total of 1650. 7000 medals were awarded to the military; however, the awards were largely based on rank, with all General and Flag Officers, half of all Colonels, 25% of Lt Colonels, 20% of majors, and 5% of Lieutenants and Captains receiving the medal. This total 3,000 medals. Other ranks received a total of 4,000, with 50% of Chief Warrant Officers, 25% of Master Warrant Officers, 15% of Warrant Officers, and 5% of Sergeants and Master Corporals. This allotment was criticised in the press.[24] Everyone in the Table of Precedence received the medal, for a total of 1225. For the emergency services, the RCMP received 650, other Police Services were given 1000, and 300 were awarded to Fireman. National organizations received 7,100. This was the first time that a category other than the military would receive the most medals. Veteran’s organizations would receive 1000.
The Governor General was given 100 medals to distribute. Each Lt Governor was given 10. Cabinet Ministers were given 300 to distribute. This list is not complete.[25]
125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal, 1992
The 125th Medal was formally established on May 7th, 1992. The medal was intended to be presented to individuals made a significant contribution to the well-being if their fellow citizens, their community, or to Canada. The intention was for 50,000 medals to be distributed; however, due to issues with the program and a lack of nominations, only 42,000 were presented.
This medal was 36mm in diameter, in keeping with the tradition started by the Centennial Medal. This medal was not struck in silver.[26] The ribbon was blue with six white bars. The spaces between the blue bars were filled by thin red strips.
The Canadian Forces received 4000 medals. The RCMP received 1000. The Public Service received 5000. National organizations would receive 7,000. Those in the Table of Precedence would all receive the medal for a total of 1500.
The Governor General would be allotted 170 medals to distribute. Each Lt Governor would receive 17 to distribute. Each cabinet minister would receive 57 to distribute. Every Senator and Member of Parliament would each receive 40 medals to distribute.
18 would be presented to all living recipients of the Victoria Cross, George Cross, and Cross of Valour, while 2,500 would be distributed to living members of the Order of Canada. This list is not complete.[27]
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, 2002
While the ribbon for the Golden Jubilee Medal was identical to the ribbon from the British medal (blue, with two thin red strips at the edges, with a white bar overlaid with a thin red strip in the centre), the actual medal itself was unique in Canada.
Nearly 400,000 medals were distributed in the United Kingdom. Members of the military, emergency services, and other government organizations who had served for at least five years on February 6th, 2002 automatically received the medal. 46,000 were awarded to Canadians.
Those in the Table of Precedence would receive the medal for a total of 1500. The Canadian Forces would be allocated 8,000 medals. The RCMP received 2,200. National organizations received 10,000.
The Governor General was given 170 to distribute. Each Lt Governor was given 20 to distribute. The Prime Minister was given 170 to distribute. Every Senator and Member of Parliament were given 20 medals each to distribute. Cabinet Ministers received an additional 10 to distribute.
15 would be presented to all living recipients of Victoria Cross, George Cross, and Cross of Valour; while 2,900 would be distributed to living members of the Order of Canada. This list is not complete.
It should be noted that not everyone who was given medals to present actually presented all of them. These medals were returned and redistributed. While the Canadian Forces had been allocated 8,000 medals, they actually received 9,660. These were awarded by a computer-based selection based on length of time in each rank, in each trade, and in each service. This process did not take merit into account.[28]
Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan, 2005
The Saskatchewan and Alberta Centennial Medals would be the first provincial commemorative medals to be included in the Order of Precedence. The Saskatchewan medal was 36mm in diameter. 4,200 medals were awarded. Non-residents were eligible; however, fewer than 50 were awarded to non-residents.[29] The Saskatchewan Medal is one of the few medals whose insignia has been formally registered by the Canadian Heraldic Authority. The blazon reads “Suspended from a ribbon Or set near the edges with two pallets Vert, on a bronze medal three western red lilies ensigned by the Royal Crown and placed above a scroll bearing the Motto MULTIS E GENTIBUS VIRES, meaning “From many peoples, strength”, all encircled above by the word SASKATCHEWAN and below by the dates 1905-2005.”[30] This depicts St. Edward’s Crown above the provincial flower and provincial motto.
Alberta Centennial Medal. 2005
The Alberta Centennial Medal was also 36mm in diameter. 8,000 were awarded, with fewer than a hundred going to non-residents. Nominations were given by Alberta Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, over 200 volunteer organizations, and the Lt Governor.[31]
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, 2012
The British Version of the medal was awarded to the armed forces and other services along the same lines as the Golden Jubilee Medal, with the date of February 6th, 2012 as the time by which they must have served five years honourably.
The Diamond Jubilee Medal was announced on February 3rd, 2010, two years and two days in advance of the actual Diamond Jubilee.
The ribbon for this medal was designed in Canada. When British officials viewed it, they asked permission to use it for the British medal. The ribbon was red with thin blue strips at the edges, with a white bar overlayed by a thin white strip in the centre.
While this medal was awarded along similar procedures as previous medals, this was the first medal that could be received by permanent residents. The Governor General personally signed all 60,000 certificates that were issued with the medals. The allotment of medals for the Table of Precedence was reduced to only 750. The Canadian Forces were allotted 11,000. The RCMP were allotted 2,300. Living recipients of the George Cross and the Cross of Valour, with members of the Order of Canada received 2,700.
The Governor General was allotted 200 medals to distribute. Each Lt Governor was allotted 20. The Prime Minister was allotted 200, while Senators and Members of Parliament were each allocated 30 medals to distribute. Cabinet Ministers were allotted 50. National organizations and Non-governmental organisations received 10,000 medals. This list is not complete.
A third version of the medal was struck for Her Majesty’s eight Caribbean Realms.[32]
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal is one of the few medals whose insignia has been formally registered by the Canadian Heraldic Authority. The blazon reads Suspended by a claw affixed to a clasp Argent from a ribbon Gules edged Azure bearing in the centre two pallets Argent, a medal Argent the obverse bearing a contemporary effigy of Her Majesty The Queen of Canada contourné, wearing the Royal Crown and environed by the inscriptions ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA and CANADA separated by two maple leaves, the reverse on a diamond-cut field a bar inscribed 1952 and 2012, overall a lozenge charged with the Royal Cypher of Her Majesty The Queen set on four maple leaves in saltire, the two in base each surmounted by a scroll inscribed VIVAT and REGINA respectively;”[33]
Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, 2022
The British Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces, emergency services, and prison services for anyone who had served at least five years by February 6th, 2022. Members of the Royal Household with at least one year of service and living recipients of the Victoria and George Crosses. The ribbon had two narrow white bars on the edges, with red, blue, and red bars in the middle.
Canada did not issue a Platinum Jubilee Medal. Canada also did not issue a Canada 150th Medal in 2017, breaking the tradition set by the 100th and 125th Anniversaries of Confederation. However, six of the ten provinces issued their own. The Governor General granted approval for the provincial medals to be added to the official order of precedence at the very end, behind other approved provincial medals. This allows the medal to be worn on the left side of the chest with other official orders, decorations, and medals. The number of medals awarded includes: 7,000 (Alberta), 1,000 (Manitoba), 3,000 (New Brunswick), 5,000 (Nova Scotia), 584 (Prince Edward Island), 7,000 (Saskatchewan) for a total of 23,584. The combined population of these six provinces is approximately 8.6 million, which represents approximately a quarter of Canada’s population according to the 2021 Census. Canada’s three largest Provinces and Newfoundland did not issue a medal. Proportionally, if the medal had been distributed across the entire country, it would have surpassed the Diamond Jubilee. The ribbon is two narrow red bars over a wide white bar taking up the majority of the ribbon, with two narrow blue bars on each side. The Canadian version of the ribbon more closely resembles those of the previous ribbons for Queen Elizabeth.
King Charles III Coronation Medal, 2023
The British Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces, emergency services, and prison services for anyone involved in the Coronation or who had served at least five years by the day of the Coronation. Other people who played important roles in the Coronation and related celebrations were also awarded the medal. In addition, all living recipients of the Victoria and George Crosses received the medal.
Canada plans to award 30,000 Coronation Medals. 4000 of which will be awarded to members of the Canadian Armed Forces. While the ribbon is the same as the British version, the medal itself is different. The medal does not include an image of Queen Camilla, and it has the King facing to the right, instead of the left. The Governor General’s website has listed 94 different nominating partners, including organisations such as the Canadian Cancer Society, St John Ambulance, the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires, and MADD Canada.
The blazon for the Canadian Medal is “Suspended by a claw affixed to a ring from a ribbon Azure edged Gules and bearing a pallet Gules edged Argent, a medal Argent the obverse bearing a contemporary effigy of His Majesty The King of Canada contourné, wearing the Royal Crown and Imperial Robe, environed by the inscriptions CHARLES III DEI GRATIA REX and CANADA, the reverse bearing a mullet of thirteen points charged with the Canadian Royal Cypher of His Majesty The King and environed by the inscriptions 6•V•2023 and VIVAT REX;”[34]
[1] Christopher McCreery, Commemorative Medals of the Queen’s Reign in Canada. (Toronto: Dundurn, 2012), 15.
[2] Howard N. Cole, Coronation and Royal Commemorative Medals, 1887-1977. (London: J.B. Hayward & Son, 1977), 1-2.
[3] Cole, 7-8.
[4] McCreery, 23.
[5] Cole, 12-13.
[6] McCreery, 24-25.
[7] Cole, 16-17.
[8] Cole,17-19.
[9] McCreery, 27.
[10] Cole, 26.
[11] Cole, 28.
[12] Cole, 31.
[13] McCreery, 30.
[14] Cole, 32-39.
[15] Cole, 32.
[16] Cole, 40-41.
[17] McCreery, 39.
[18] Cole, 44.
[19] McCreery, 44-46.
[20] Cole, 49.
[21] McCreery, 52-56.
[22] McCrery, 63-70.
[23] Cole, 56.
[24] McCreery, 76.
[25] McCreery, 82
[26] McCreery, 88-90.
[27] McCreery, 92.
[28] McCreery, 104.
[29] McCreery, 109.
[30] Canadian Heraldic Authority – Registration of Insignia of Honours: The Saskatchewan Order of Merit, The Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal, and The Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan, September 15, 2005. Vol. IV, p. 538.
[31] McCreery, 111.
[32] McCreery, 115-123.
[33] Canadian Heraldic Authority – Registration of Insignia: Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal
, February 6th, 2012. Vol. VI, p. 106.
[34] Canadian Heraldic Authority – Registration of Insignia: King Charles III Coronation Medal
, November 15th, 2023. Vol. VIII, p. 230
My Corner of the Internet 