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The medal itself is a 36mm disc of sterling silver, bearing the diademed head of Queen Victoria on the obverse, together with the legend "VICTORIA REGINA" and the date "1854"; the reverse shows a Roman legionary (carrying a gladius and circular shield) being crowned with a laurel wreath by a winged figure of Victory; to the left is the legend "CRIMEA," which is written vertically. The suspension is an ornate floriated swiveling suspender unique to the Crimea Medal; the clasps are also unique, being in the form of an oak leaf with an acorn at each extremity. The ribbon is 27mm wide, pale blue with yellow edges. About 275,000 un-named Crimea medals were awarded (at the time, the largest distribution ever made) to all those in the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Marines who took part in the campaign in the Crimean peninsula, or in related service afloat. Those who took part in the Baltic campaign or the actions in the Pacific were not entitled: the former received the Baltic Medal; the latter, nothing. Some civilians, most notably the reporter for "The Times," William Howard Russell, also received the medal. Medals could be returned to the Mint for naming (in a style known as "officially impressed"), but many were crudely stamped with names by recipients who were presented with their medals in the Crimea ("Depot impressed"), or were privately engraved by jewelers in England. |
The
Crimean War Medal was sanctioned on the December 15, 1854 by order of Queen
Victoria. Two clasps were also authorized at this time, for the battles
of Alma (September 20, 1854) and Inkermann (November 5, 1854). The clasp
for the battle of Balaklava (which took place before that of Inkermann,
on October 25, 1854) was not authorized until February 23, 1855. The clasp
for the fall of Sebastopol (September 9, 1855) was granted on October 13,
1855. A clasp was also awarded to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines for
actions in the Sea of Azoff (May 25 - September 22, 1855), being announced
in the "London Gazette" of May 2, 1856. The clasps are worn in date order,
with the clasp for Alma being closest to the medal.