Original British Crimea Medal 1854 – Unnamed Issue with Original Ribbon

Original British Crimea Medal 1854

An original British Crimea Medal 1854, presented without battle clasps and retaining its original ribbon.

Unlike officially impressed examples, this medal is unnamed, with no recipient’s details on the rim.

The obverse features the crowned portrait of Queen Victoria with the inscription “VICTORIA REGINA” and the date 1854 below. The reverse depicts Winged Victory crowning a Roman warrior with a laurel wreath alongside the vertical inscription “CRIMEA”.

Specifications

• Country: United Kingdom
• Campaign: Crimean War (1854–1856)
• Medal: Crimea Medal 1854
• Clasps: None
• Material: Silver
• Diameter: 36 mm
• Rim: Unnamed
• Ribbon: Original ribbon present
• Original issue

Condition

The medal is in very good overall condition.

It displays only minor surface scratches and light signs of wear consistent with careful handling and age. There are no significant dents or major damage, and both the obverse and reverse retain strong, well-defined details. The original ribbon is present and complements the medal well.

Please study all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and condition assessment.

Historical Background

The Crimea Medal was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1854 to recognise the service of British Army and Royal Navy personnel during the Crimean War (1854–1856). It was awarded to those who participated in the campaign against the Russian Empire, with additional clasps issued for major battles and operations, including Alma, Balaklava, Inkerman, Sebastopol, and Azoff.

Examples issued without clasps were awarded to personnel who qualified for the medal but did not meet the requirements for any of the specific battle or campaign clasps. The Crimea Medal remains one of the most iconic and historically significant British Victorian campaign medals and is highly sought after by collectors of nineteenth-century military memorabilia.