QUEEN VICTORIA'S SUDAN MEDAL.
(Obverse.)
QUEEN'S MEDAL FOR BOER WAR.
(Obverse.)
KING'S MEDAL FOR BOER WAR.
(Reverse.)
It is noteworthy that the infantry did not receive more than two bars, and that it was impossible for any participant in the war to obtain more than four, and very few received as many. This is a very striking medal, a very dignified figure of Britannia being represented on the reverse holding a wreath in the outstretched right hand, and an oval shield with the Union Jack thereon on the left arm, which also holds a laurel wreath; INDIA is arranged above following the line of the medal, and 1857-58 in the exergue. The obverse bears the same head of Queen Victoria as the Military General Service medal. The names were impressed on the edge in capital Roman letters, and the suspender and fishtail bars are of the same kind as those used with the China medal of 1857. The ribbon, which is 1¼ in. wide, consists of scarlet and white stripes arranged alternately, three of white and two of red. This was the last medal issued by the H.E.I. Co., and it might be said almost the last of the classic medals (L. C. Wyon modelled the reverse).
Reissues of Earlier Medals.—On January 21st, 1859, the Government of India sanctioned the reissue of medals gratis to all officers and men who had lost their decorations through the mutiny. This is an important fact to remember when considering war medals issued prior to the mutiny, as reissues are not generally considered as valuable as originals.