Medals Database > By Country > Great Britain (19th Century Campaign Medals)

The Candahar, Ghuznee, Cabul Medal

Average Price:

£300 to £800
($380 to $1,020)

(The cost varies based on the medal’s historical significance, the recipient’s background, and the condition of the medal)

Time Period: Pre-WW1
Year of Institution: 4 October 1842
Country: Great Britain

The Candahar, Ghuznee, Cabul Medal was was approved by General Order at Simla 4 October 1842 and awarded to those who took part in the campaign in the spring and summer of 1842 to restore British standing in Afghanistan after earlier defeats during the First Anglo-Afghan War.

Approximately 22,100 Candahar, Ghuznee, Cabul medals were awarded, some 4,400 to members of the British Army and 17,700 to the mainly native forces of the Honourable East India Company.

The Candahar, Ghuznee, Cabul Medal Design

The medal was designed by William Wyon and struck in silver. It measures 36 millimeters (1.4 in) in diameter.

The obverse shows the diademed head Queen Victoria facing left with the inscription ‘VICTORIA VINDEX’ (PROTECTOR). Four different reverses were struck, indicating the campaigns in which the recipient served: ‘CANDAHAR 1842’ within a laurel wreath, surmounted by a crown. ‘CABUL 1842’ within a laurel wreath, surmounted by a crown. ‘GHUZNEE’ ‘CABUL’, each within a separate laurel wreath, surmounted by a single crown and with the year ‘1842’ below. ‘CANDAHAR, GHUZNEE, CABUL 1842’ within a single laurel wreath, surmounted by a crown.

The suspension consists of a straight steel suspender, attached to the medal by way of a steel clip and pin. The ribbon is the watered rainbow colored ribbon common to most East India Company medals, with a pattern of red, white, yellow, white and blue.

The recipient’s name and regiment were engraved on the edge for the medal.

More British 19th Century Campaign Medals

The Naval General Service Medal (1847)

The Naval General Service Medal was a campaign medal issued to officers of the Royal Navy and awarded retrospectively for naval actions.

The Medal for the Defence of Kelat-I-Ghilzie

The Kelat-I-Ghilzie Medal is a British campaign medal issued by the British East India Company to the defenders of Kelat-I-Ghilzie.

The Army of India Medal

The Army of India Medal is a British campaign medal issued to officers and men of the British Army and the Army of the East India Company.

The Ashanti Star

The Ashanti Star was a British medal awarded to members of the expedition against the Ashanti King Prempeh, in the Fourth Anglo-Ashanti War.

The East and West Africa Medal

The East and West Africa Medal was a campaign medal awarded for minor campaigns that took place in East and West Africa around 1887.

More Medals from Great Britain

Explore the rich history of British military honors through a captivating display of medals from different periods. Use the images below to learn more about the diverse array of decorations that have adorned the uniforms of British servicemen and women throughout history or use the button at the end to visit the entire UK medals database.