Context

The coronation of King George VI took place on 12 May 1937, following the death of King George V on 20 January 1936 and the abdication of King Edward VIII on 11 December 1936.

Eligibility and Criteria

Distribution in Canada was as follows: Canadian Contingent to Coronation (351 officers and non-commissioned members); each surviving recipient of the Victoria Cross; District Officers Commanding and wives; military personnel received 1,284, including five women (three nurses); the staff of the Governor-General and their spouses; Honorary A.D.C's and spouses; Members of Cabinet and spouses; secretaries and members of staff of each minister; Privy Councilors in cabinet and spouses; Senators and spouses; Members of the House of Commons and spouses; Mayors of towns and cities over 1,000 population; warden of counties; judges; Dominion and Provincial Deputy Ministers; and Members of Provincial Legislatures and their spouses.

Description

A circular, silver medal, 1.25 inches in diameter. For mounting purposes, a ring is attached to a double-toed claw on the upper edge of the medal.

Featured on the obverse are the conjoined effigies of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, crowned and robed, facing left. The rim is not raised on this medal and there is no legend.

The Royal Cypher GRI appears on the reverse, surmounted by a large crown, with the inscription CROWNED / 12 May 1937 below the Royal Cypher in two lines. Around the rim of the medal is the inscription: GEORGE VI QVEEN ELIZABETH.

The garter-blue ribbon is 1.25 inches wide with a narrow band comprised of three equal widths of white, red, and white, at each edge.

Historical Notes

• There were 90,279 issued in total, with 10,089 to Canadians.