REPRODUCTION VICTORIA CROSS MEDALS

This reproduction Victoria Cross is made from lead-free pewter. It is supplied with ribbon in a clear medal wallet and colour header card.

Please note these full size replica medals will not have the same weight, exact finish or detailing as original medals and are suitable for educational purposes, as souvenirs or as basic replacements for missing medals in a set.

The VC was instituted by Royal Warrant on 29 January 1856 to acknowledge the bravery displayed by many soldiers and sailors during the Crimean War. Unlike its predecessors, the new award was open to all ranks and would only be presented for acts of supreme gallantry in the face of the enemy. The decoration takes the form of a cross pattée, bearing a crown surmounted by a lion, with the inscription ‘FOR VALOUR'. This was originally to have been ‘FOR BRAVERY'. But it was changed on the recommendation of Queen Victoria, who thought that some might mistakenly assume that only the recipients of the VC were brave in battle.

The VC is Britain's joint-highest award for gallantry. It was only equalled in status in 1940, when the George Cross (GC) was instituted for acts of conspicuous bravery not in the enemy's presence. There is no barrier of colour, creed, sex or rank. Indeed, VC recipients have come from all social backgrounds and from all over the British Empire and Commonwealth.

The manufacturer of this item makes a donation from its sale to The Veteran Charities Consortium. The proceeds from this item made by The National Archives go towards supporting the work of The National Archives in preserving the nation's history including the preservation of military records.

To read the complete sale listing, see:
Victoria Cross: Full Size Replica Medal (https://shop.nationalarchives.gov.uk/products/victoria-cross-full-size-replica-medal)

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