Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
Encyclopedia
The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal was a commemorative medal created in 2002 to mark the 50th anniversary of the accession to the throne
of Queen Elizabeth II. The medal was physically identical in all realms where it was awarded, save for Canada
, where it contained unique elements; as an internationally distributed award, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal holds a different place in each country's order of precedence for honours.
(in the United Kingdom) medal with a thin raised edge and, on the obverse, an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The Canadian version shows the effigy crowned with the George IV State Diadem
and circumscribed by the words QUEEN OF CANADA • REINE DU CANADA, while the reverse features a stylized maple leaf with CANADA at the bottom and the years 1952 • 2002 on the left and right of the Royal Cypher
and crown. The medal distributed throughout the other Commonwealth realms shows the Queen wearing St. Edward's Crown and on the reverse of the British medal is the shield of the Queen's coat of arms for the United Kingdom
flanked by the years 1952 and 2002. The medal is worn suspended from a broad royal blue
ribbon with red outer stripes and, at the centre, double white stripes with a red stripe between.
and was awarded to Canadians who made a significant contribution to their fellow citizens, their community, or to Canada over the previous fifty years. Various organizations were invited to propose the names of candidates for the medal; this included all levels of Canadian government, educational and cultural organizations, the Canadian Forces
, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
, veterans' groups, sports associations, and philanthropic and charitable bodies.
Members of the British Armed Forces
regular, reserve, and cadet branches who were enrolled as of Accession Day
and had been so for five years were given the medal in the United Kingdom. 94,222 members of the Army received the medal, as did 32,273 in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, and 38,889 in the Royal Air Force.
Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II
The Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II was the international celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the accession of Elizabeth II to the thrones of seven countries, upon the death of her father, George VI, on 6 February 1952, and was intended by the Queen to be both a commemoration of her 50...
of Queen Elizabeth II. The medal was physically identical in all realms where it was awarded, save for Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, where it contained unique elements; as an internationally distributed award, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal holds a different place in each country's order of precedence for honours.
Design
The medal is a circular, gold-plated, bronze (in Canada) or cupronickelCupronickel
Cupronickel or copper-nickel or "cupernickel" is an alloy of copper that contains nickel and strengthening elements, such as iron and manganese. Cupronickel is highly resistant to corrosion in seawater, because its electrode potential is adjusted to be neutral with regard to seawater...
(in the United Kingdom) medal with a thin raised edge and, on the obverse, an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The Canadian version shows the effigy crowned with the George IV State Diadem
George IV State Diadem
Part of the British Crown Jewels, the George IV State Diadem or Diamond Diadem was made in 1820 by the firm Rundell, Bridge and Rundell for the coronation of King George IV. It was designed to encircle the King's velvet Cap of Estate that he wore in the procession to Westminster Abbey. The diadem...
and circumscribed by the words QUEEN OF CANADA • REINE DU CANADA, while the reverse features a stylized maple leaf with CANADA at the bottom and the years 1952 • 2002 on the left and right of the Royal Cypher
Royal Cypher
In modern heraldry, a royal cypher is a monogram-like device of a country's reigning sovereign, typically consisting of the initials of the monarch's name and title, sometimes interwoven and often surmounted by a crown. In the case where such a cypher is used by an emperor or empress, it is called...
and crown. The medal distributed throughout the other Commonwealth realms shows the Queen wearing St. Edward's Crown and on the reverse of the British medal is the shield of the Queen's coat of arms for the United Kingdom
Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom
The Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom is the official coat of arms of the British monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II. These arms are used by the Queen in her official capacity as monarch of the United Kingdom, and are officially known as her Arms of Dominion...
flanked by the years 1952 and 2002. The medal is worn suspended from a broad royal blue
Royal blue
Royal blue describes both a bright shade and a dark shade of azure blue. It is said to have been invented by millers in Rode, Somerset, a consortium of which won a competition to make a dress for the British queen, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz....
ribbon with red outer stripes and, at the centre, double white stripes with a red stripe between.
Eligibility and presentation
In Canada, the medal was administered by the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau HallRideau Hall
Rideau Hall is, since 1867, the official residence in Ottawa of both the Canadian monarch and the Governor General of Canada. It stands in Canada's capital on a 0.36 km2 estate at 1 Sussex Drive, with the main building consisting of 170 rooms across 9,500 m2 , and 24 outbuildings around the...
and was awarded to Canadians who made a significant contribution to their fellow citizens, their community, or to Canada over the previous fifty years. Various organizations were invited to propose the names of candidates for the medal; this included all levels of Canadian government, educational and cultural organizations, the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
, veterans' groups, sports associations, and philanthropic and charitable bodies.
Members of the British Armed Forces
British Armed Forces
The British Armed Forces are the armed forces of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Also known as Her Majesty's Armed Forces and sometimes legally the Armed Forces of the Crown, the British Armed Forces encompasses three professional uniformed services, the Royal Navy, the...
regular, reserve, and cadet branches who were enrolled as of Accession Day
Accession Day
An Accession Day is the anniversary of the date on which a monarch succeeds to the throne upon the death of the previous monarch.-Monarchy:The custom of marking this day was inaugurated during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England....
and had been so for five years were given the medal in the United Kingdom. 94,222 members of the Army received the medal, as did 32,273 in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, and 38,889 in the Royal Air Force.
Precedence in each realm
Some orders of precedence are as follows:| Country | Preceding | Following |
 CanadaCanada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... Order of precedence Canadian order of precedence (Decorations and Medals) The following is the Canadian order of precedence for decorations and medals. Where applicable, post-nominal letters are indicated.-Awards of valour:-National orders:-Provincial orders:-National decorations:-National medals:... |
125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal The 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal is a commemorative medal struck by the Royal Canadian Mint celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada... |
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is a commemorative medal created in 2011 to mark the 60th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II and to "honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians."-Design:... |
| New Zealand New Zealand New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga... Order of precedence New Zealand Honours Order of Precedence - Order of Precedence :Order of precedence for the wearing of decorations and awards within New Zealand's honours system.Medals in bold are distinctly New Zealand awards.-Special awards:* Victoria Cross for New Zealand VC* George Cross GC... |
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal The Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal was a commemorative medal created in 1977 to mark the 25th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II... |
New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal The New Zealand 1990 Commemorative Medal was instituted by the Queen by Royal Warrant on 9 February 1990. It was to be awarded only during 1990 to about 3,000 people selected in recognition of the contribution they have made to some aspect of New Zealand life, especially the various 1990 celebrations... |
| United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... Order of precedence |
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal The Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal was a commemorative medal created in 1977 to mark the 25th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II... |
King George V's Long and Faithful Service Medal |