King George V Silver Jubilee Medal

The King George V Silver Jubilee Medal is a commemorative medal, instituted to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the accession of King George V.

Issue

This medal was awarded as a personal souvenir by King George V to commemorate his Silver Jubilee. It was awarded to the Royal Family and selected officers of state, officials and servants of the Royal Household, ministers, government officials, mayors, public servants, local government officials, members of the navy, army, air force and police in Britain, her colonies and Dominions.

For Coronation and Jubilee medals, the practice up until 1977 was that United Kingdom authorities decided on a total number to be produced, then allocated a proportion to each of the Commonwealth countries and Crown dependencies and possessions. The award of the medals was then at the discretion of the local government authority, who were free to decide who would be awarded a medal and why.

A total of 85,234 medals were awarded, including

6,500 to Australians
7,500 to Canadians
1,500 to New Zealanders

The medal was worn with other coronation and jubilee medals, immediately after campaign and polar medals, and before long service awards. Ladies could wear the medal near their left shoulder with the ribbon tied in the form of a bow.

Description

Designed by Sir William Goscombe John.
A circular, silver medal, 1.25 inches in diameter. The obverse features the conjoined effigies of King George V and Queen Mary, crowned and robed, facing left. The legend around the top edge reads "GEORGE • V • AND • QUEEN • MARY • MAY • VI • MCMXXXV".
The reverse displays the Royal Cypher "GRI", surmounted by an Imperial Crown. At the left is the date "MAY 6 / 1910" in two lines, and at right the date: "MAY 6 / 1935". The border is ornate.
The purple ribbon is 1.25 inches wide, with three narrow stripes of dark blue, white, and dark blue at each edge. The three narrow stripes are 0.25 inches wide in total.
It was awarded unnamed.