Material: Cupro-nickel
Diameter: 36 mm
Weight: 31g
Obverse: The obverse side showcases a detailed, left-facing portrait of King George VI donning an imperial crown, masterfully sculpted by renowned Royal Mint designer Percy Metcalfe. Encircled by the raised Latin inscription "GEORGIVS VI G. BR. OMN. REX ET INDIAE IMP.", this specific wording denotes his sovereignty over Great Britain, the Commonwealth dominions, and his status as Emperor of India.
Reverse: Lion standing triumphant over a double-headed dragon representing the Axis powers, with the dates 1939 – 1945 above; designed by Percy Metcalfe.
Circa: 1945 – 1946
Notes:
The War Medal 1939–1945 was established by Great Britain to recognize both full-time and eligible part-time members of the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines across the Empire.
This specific campaign medal was produced in two distinct metallic compositions depending on the country of issue. While the standard British, Australian, and New Zealand variations were struck using a non-magnetic cupro-nickel alloy, Canadian issues stand out because they were uniquely minted from solid 0.800 fine silver, making them significantly heavier and highly sought after by numismatists. On the reverse side, the decoration depicts a triumphant lion standing over a double-headed dragon, symbolizing the ultimate victory over the Axis powers.