Royal Canadian Mint Tokens and Medallions - Military Medals

Military Medals

The RCM is also known for its production of several military awards. In 1943, the RCM was commissioned to produce the Canada Medal for the Department of National Defense. Currently, it produces the General Campaign Star and ISAF Bar awarded for service in Afghanistan. It also produces the Canadian Forces Decoration and the Memorial Cross.

• On May 16, 2008, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, the Governor General of Canada unveiled the Canadian Victoria Cross. It was produced by the Royal Canadian Mint and is slightly different from the British Victoria Cross. In place of the British For Valour, the inscription Pro Valore is in its place. The new design features the modern rendering of the St Edward's crown (associated with the present Sovereign), as opposed to the more angular Victorian version. The actual casting of the Canadian Victoria Cross was done by the Materials Technology Laboratory of Natural Resources Canada. The first two Canadian Victoria Crosses that were produced were sent to the United Kingdom for the Royal Collection. Other specimens are for the collections of Rideau Hall, the Department of National Defence, Library and Archives Canada, and the Canadian War Museum. There are approximately 20 Canadian Victoria Crosses that exist and are kept at Rideau Hall.

• The Royal Canadian Mint will produce the Sacrifice Medal. The Sacrifice Medal will honour Canadian soldiers, exchange personnel and civilians who have been injured or killed in Afghanistan since October 7, 2001. The reverse for the medal is the Canadian National Vimy Memorial with the word Sacrifice to the right. The obverse of the medal features an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II wearing a Canadian diadem with maple leaves and snowflakes. The words ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA and CANADA surround the effigy.