Made of nickel silver, the Coronation Medal features a double portrait of King Charles III and the Queen Consort and acts as a thank you gift to the people who will make the Coronation happen.

What is the 2023 Coronation Medal?

The Coronation Medal to mark the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and Queen Consort has been unveiled. The Medal acts as a thank you gift from the nation to commemorate the Coronation for the people who will make the historic service happen.

Made of nickel silver and plated in nickel, the design features a double portrait of the King and Queen Consort on the front and was designed by Martin Jennings who also designed the official effigy of The King for the new coins issued by the Royal Mint.

On the reverse, there’s a version of the Royal Cypher, a laurel wreath and the date of the Coronation. The ribbon is made up of red, blue and white vertical stripes - the colours of the Union Flag. The Medal was made by Worcestershire Medal Service Ltd in Birmingham.

The tradition of Coronation Medals dates to the reign of King James I when the first Medal was awarded in 1603. This Medal featured a bust of James I wearing the costume of a Roman Emperor. Its reverse included a crowned lion rampant holding a beacon and a wheat sheaf.

Who will receive the 2023 Coronation Medal?

Everyone actively contributing and supporting the Coronation on 6 May - including choristers, police officers, military personnel and St John Ambulance personnel - as well as those directly involved in the delivery of the Coronation will receive the medal.

It will also be given to serving frontline members of the police, fire, emergency services, prison services and armed forces that have completed five full calendar years of service. It is expected that more than 400,000 Coronation Medals will be issued.

Living recipients of the George Cross or Victoria Cross will also receive the medal.

See also

King Charles III and The Gazette: Knight of the Garter

King Charles III and The Gazette: British honours

British armed forces promotions and awards in The Gazette

Images

GOV.UK

Publication date: 5 May 2023

Any opinion expressed in this article is that of the author and the author alone, and does not necessarily represent that of The Gazette.