- Time Period: Post-WW2
- Institution: 6 February 2002
- Country: United Kingdom & Commonwealth, Canada, Australia
The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (or Médaille du jubilé d’or de la Reine Elizabeth II in French), also known as the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, was created in 2002 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession in 1952.
In Canada, the medal was awarded to individuals who made significant contributions to public life. In the UK, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal was given to active personnel in the British Armed Forces and emergency personnel who had completed five years of qualifying service.
The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal Design
The Canadian and British medals had different designs:
United Kingdom
The medal is made of cupronickel with a gilt finish. The obverse depicts the Queen wearing St. Edward’s Crown, surrounded by the inscription “ELIZABETH • II • DEI • GRA • REGINA • FID • DEF.” The reverse features the shield of the Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom, flanked by the years 1952 and 2002.
Canada
The medal is a gold-plated bronze with a thin raised edge. The obverse features an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, crowned with the George IV State Diadem, circumscribed by the words “QUEEN OF CANADA • REINE DU CANADA.” The reverse displays a stylized maple leaf with “CANADA” at the bottom and the years 1952 and 2002 on either side of the Royal Cypher and crown.
Both medals were issued unnamed and are suspended from the same broad royal blue ribbon with red outer stripes and, at the center, double white stripes with a red stripe between.
