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The Ingenio et Arti Medal

Ingenio et Arti is a Danish medal established in 1841 and awarded to prominent Danish and foreign scientists and artists.

Ingenio et arti, translating from Latin as “For Science and Art,” is a prestigious Danish medal awarded to distinguished Danish and international scientists and artists. Established by King Christian VIII in 1841, this honor reflects the monarch’s personal recognition of exceptional contributions to the fields of science and the arts. Notably, it is awarded to both men and women, highlighting a commitment to inclusivity from its inception.

Awards are given irregularly, averaging fewer than two per year, making it a rare and highly esteemed accolade. As of May 2021, the most recent recipient was John Neumeier, honored after the premiere of his ballet “Mahler’s 3rd Symphony” at the Copenhagen Opera House on 19 May 2021. This infrequency of awards underscores the exceptional level of achievement required to be considered for this honor.

The Ingenio et Arti Medal Design

The medal’s reverse features “The Genius of Light,” an engraving based on the 1841 plaster relief by renowned sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen. This artistic choice underscores the medal’s dedication to celebrating brilliance and enlightenment in both scientific and artistic endeavors.

The Medal of Merit (Denmark)

The Medal of Merit was established by Christian VII on 16 May 1792 and given as a personal award by the sovereign of Denmark.

The Medal of Merit (or Fortjenstmedaljen in Danish) is the oldest existing award medal given by the Kingdom of Denmark.

It was established by Christian VII on 16 May 1792 and was re-instituted by ordinance of Christian VIII on 24 July 1845. This prestigious medal is a personal award bestowed by the Sovereign.

This decoration highlights the individual achievements and contributions of the recipients, honoring their distinguished service and merit in a manner that is both personal and enduring.

Medal of Merit Design

The Medal of Merit comes in two versions, made of either gold or silver.

The obverse features a profile effigy of the reigning monarch, currently Queen Margrethe II, along with the inscription “Margareta II – Regina Daniæ.“

The reverse side bears the word “Fortient” (Merit) encircled by an oak leaf wreath. Uniquely, the recipient’s name is engraved on the edge of the medal, signifying that it is the personal property of the recipient and is not returned upon their death, unlike some chivalric orders.

The medal is suspended from a red ribbon with a white cross, reflecting the national colors of Denmark.

The Military Medal (Luxembourg)

The Military Medal was established in 1945 by Grand Duchess Charlotte and is the highest military decoration of Luxembourg.

The Military Medal (or Médaille militaire, German: Militärmedaille in French) is Luxembourg’s highest military honor.

The Military Medal was instituted on 30 October 1945 by Grand Duchess Charlotte, following a proposal from then Prince Jean. This creation came in the aftermath of World War II, a period that highlighted the importance of recognizing military heroism and extraordinary service.

The medal is awarded for outstanding achievements and extraordinary deeds, regardless of rank. It can be awarded to all military personnel, regardless of rank, who demonstrate outstanding achievements and extraordinary deeds. This inclusive criterion ensures that valor and exceptional service are recognized across all levels of the military hierarchy.

The Military Medal Design

The medal is a bronze circular disc.

The obverse features the left-facing profile of Grand Duchess Charlotte, with the inscription “Charlotte Grande-Duchesse de Luxembourg” around the edge, emphasizing her role in establishing the medal.

The reverse displays the Lesser coat of arms of Luxembourg, with the numbers “19” to the left and “40” to the right of the arms, symbolizing the year 1940.

The medal is suspended from a blue ribbon with a thin central yellow line and yellow edges.

The Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

This long service medal, established in 1848, is still awarded to regular members of His Majesty’s Naval Service.

The Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (1848) is awarded to regular members of His Majesty’s Naval Service for long service. Instituted by Queen Victoria to replace the 1830 version, it initially honored other ranks and men in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. Since 2016, the medal is awarded to all regular members, including officers, after completing fifteen years of service.

The original 1830 medal, known as the “anchor type,” was introduced by King William IV and awarded after 21 years of service. It was used until 1847, during Queen Victoria’s reign.

Initially requiring 21 years of service, the qualifying period was reduced to ten years in 1874, then increased to fifteen years in 1884. Despite some confusion regarding changes, the regulations were last updated on 1 October 2016, confirming the fifteen-year service requirement.

The Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Design

The medal is struck in silver, measuring 36 millimeters (1.42 inches) in diameter, slightly larger than the earlier “anchor type” medal from 1830, which is 34 millimeters (1.34 inches) in diameter.

The obverse features the effigy of the reigning monarch. Since its institution in 1848, seven versions have been issued, including two versions each during the reigns of Queen Victoria and King George V.

The reverse depicts a starboard broadside view of HMS Victory, Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The ship is encircled by a rope tied with a reef knot at the bottom, with the inscription “FOR LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT” around the circumference. The design has remained mostly unchanged, though early Queen Victoria versions with a wide suspender featured a larger flag at the masthead, while later versions had a more triangular flag.

The clasp features a laurel leaf design. When only the ribbon bar is worn, a silver rosette on the ribbon indicates the award of a clasp.

The original 1848 ribbon, paired with the wide suspender version of the medal, was 38 millimeters wide and Navy blue with 7 millimeter wide white edges. With the introduction of the narrower suspender version in 1874, the ribbon was changed to 32 millimeters wide and Navy blue with 6½ millimeter wide white edges.

More British Long Service and Good Conduct Decorations

The British military has instituted several Long Service and Good Conduct Decorations, each honoring the dedication and exemplary service of its personnel across different branches. Here are some other ones from different time periods:

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The New Zealand Armed Forces Award

The New Zealand Armed Forces Award was established on 6 May 1985 and is awarded for 15 years of unblemished service.

The New Zealand Armed Forces Award is a long service decoration designated for Regular Force Officers of the New Zealand Defence Force.

It was instituted on 6 May 1985, originally recognizing 15 years of exemplary service. However, on 14 August 2020, updated criteria were announced, reducing the service requirement to 14 years for the initial award, and making clasps available for every subsequent seven years of service.

The New Zealand Armed Forces Award Design

The New Zealand Armed Forces Award is a circular silver medal. The obverse features the crowned effigy of Her Majesty The Queen, encircled by the inscription “ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID. DEF.”

The reverse displays an eagle with spread wings superimposed over two crossed swords pointing upwards, topped by a Naval Crown. Two fern fronds, with stems crossed at the base, lie behind the swords. The design is bordered by the inscription “New Zealand” at the top and “Armed Forces Award” at the bottom. The symbols on the reverse represent the three branches of the New Zealand Defence Force: the Army, the Royal Navy, and the Air Force.

The medal hangs from a ribbon colored dark blue, crimson, and light blue, representing the three services, with a central black stripe symbolizing New Zealand. Subsequent awards are indicated by a clasp on the medal’s suspension ribbon or a rosette on the service ribbon worn in undress.

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The Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan

A commemorative medal struck to celebrate the first 100 years since the province’s entrance into Canadian Confederation.

The Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan, also known as the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal, was created to celebrate Saskatchewan‘s 100th anniversary of joining the Canadian Confederation.

This medal honors individuals who have made significant contributions to society and recognizes outstanding achievements, including leadership, volunteerism, community involvement, and exceptional personal achievements. Only individuals (not groups) were eligible, and posthumous nominations were not accepted.

Certain individuals received the medal automatically by virtue of their positions, such as provincial and federal elected officials, judges, aboriginal leaders, and community and municipal leaders. Additional recipients were selected based on recommendations from governmental and non-governmental organizations and Members of the Legislative Assembly.

About 4,200 medals were produced.

The Saskatchewan Centennial Medal Design

The medal features, on the obverse, the provincial motto beneath a wreath of western red lilies, topped by the St. Edward’s Crown. The inscription “Saskatchewan 1905–2005” encircles the edge.

On the reverse side, the provincial shield of arms is displayed.

The medal is attached to a gold-colored ribbon with two narrow green diagonal stripes.

The Papua New Guinea Independence Medal

The Papua New Guinea Independence Medal was established to commemorate the transition to the full independence of Papua New Guinea.

The Papua New Guinea Independence Medal was established in 1975 to mark Papua New Guinea’s transition from self-government to full independence from Australia.

It is part of the Papua New Guinea honors system.

Notable recipients of this medal include:

The Papua New Guinea Independence Medal Design

There are three versions of the Papua New Guinea Independence Medal.

The first version was introduced in 1975 and features the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F.D.” and “PAPUA NEW GUINEA INDEPENDENCE 1975.” It was awarded from 1973 to 1975 to defense force members and citizens in recognition of outstanding service. This medal has a ring suspension and a smooth surface.

The second version was introduced in 1985 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of independence. It was awarded to civilian and military personnel who made significant contributions to the state since independence. This version bears the inscriptions “PAPUA NEW GUINEA ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F.D.” and “INDEPENDENCE 1975-1985.” It also has a ring suspension and a smooth surface.

The third version was introduced in 2005 to mark the 30th anniversary of independence. The obverse inscription reads “30TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY 1975-2005.” This version features a bar suspension and a rayed surface.

The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal

The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal was established to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s accession.

The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (or Médaille du jubilé de platine de la reine Elizabeth II in French), also known as the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, is a commemorative medal established to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession in 1952.

The medal was awarded in the United Kingdom to individuals working in public service, including the Armed Forces, emergency services, and prison services.

In Canada, six out of ten provinces issued their own medals, marking the first time a royal occasion has been commemorated with provincial medals. These medals were awarded to outstanding volunteers, members of the Canadian Armed Forces and emergency services, and others who made significant contributions to society, with particular emphasis in some provinces on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, reconciliation with First Nations and Inuit, and environmental protection.

The Queen’s Caribbean realms also established a medal program for the Platinum Jubilee, recognizing members of the emergency services who responded to hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as members of the defense and police forces.

The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal Design

In the United Kingdom, the medal, made of nickel silver, features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty on the obverse. The reverse displays the helm, crest, and mantling of the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom, excluding Scotland.

The ribbon incorporates silver edges to represent the Silver Jubilee, blue from the Golden Jubilee medal’s ribbon, and red from the Diamond Jubilee ribbon. The Worcestershire Medal Service is responsible for manufacturing the medal.

In Canada, the designs of the medals are similar across all the provinces that produced one, differing only in the depiction of the shield from each province’s coat of arms and the province’s official flower. The wild rose represents Alberta, the prairie crocus for Manitoba, the purple violet for New Brunswick, the mayflower for Nova Scotia, the pink lady’s slipper for Prince Edward Island, and the western red lily for Saskatchewan.

All medals are silver in color, 32mm in diameter, and feature a ring suspension. The obverse shows the same crowned effigy of the Queen used for the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. The reverse displays the Queen’s royal cypher with the dates of her reign—1952 and 2022—at the top, the provincial shield of arms in the center, flanked by renderings of the province’s official flower, and the motto “VIVAT REGINA” (“long live the Queen!”) at the base.

The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal was created in 2012 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession in 1952.

The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (or Médaille du jubilé de diamant de la reine Elizabeth II in French), also known as The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, was created in 2012 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession in 1952.

There are four versions of this medal: one issued by the United Kingdom, another by Canada, a third for the Caribbean realms (including Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), and a fourth issued by Papua New Guinea.

These different versions of the medal were awarded to tens of thousands of recipients across the Commonwealth realms during the jubilee year.

The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Design

The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, named by Order in Council, was designed by Cathy Bursey-Sabourin and manufactured by the Royal Canadian Mint. The Canadian medal features a crowned effigy of the Queen with the inscription “ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA • CANADA” on the obverse. The reverse displays the Queen’s royal cypher on a diamond shield, surrounded by maple leaves and the dates 1952 and 2012, with “VIVAT REGINA” below.

In the UK, the medal, designed by Timothy Noad, shows the Queen’s effigy by Ian Rank-Broadley on the obverse with the inscription “ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID DEF.” The reverse has a faceted hexagon with a crowned royal cypher and the years 1952 and 2012.

Eight Caribbean Commonwealth realms issued their own Diamond Jubilee medals, featuring the Queen’s effigy and the inscription “DIAMOND JUBILEE HM QUEEN ELIZABETH II” on the obverse. The reverse shows the royal cypher with “CARIBBEAN REALMS” above and the years 1952–2012 below. These medals are rhodium-plated.

Papua New Guinea also issued its version, similar to the Caribbean medal but with “PAPUA NEW GUINEA” above the royal cypher.

The Canadian and British medals are suspended from a broad red ribbon with blue outer stripes and central double white stripes with a red stripe between. The Caribbean medal ribbon has a black stripe between the white stripes, and the Papua New Guinea ribbon features a lighter red with yellow replacing blue, reflecting the national flag colors.

All four versions of the medal were awarded unnamed.

The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal

The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal is a commemorative medal created in 2002 to mark the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession.

The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (or Médaille du jubilé d’or de la Reine Elizabeth II in French), also known as the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, was created in 2002 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession in 1952.

In Canada, the medal was awarded to individuals who made significant contributions to public life. In the UK, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal was given to active personnel in the British Armed Forces and emergency personnel who had completed five years of qualifying service.

The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal Design

The Canadian and British medals had different designs:

United Kingdom

The medal is made of cupronickel with a gilt finish. The obverse depicts the Queen wearing St. Edward’s Crown, surrounded by the inscription “ELIZABETH • II • DEI • GRA • REGINA • FID • DEF.” The reverse features the shield of the Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom, flanked by the years 1952 and 2002.

Canada

The medal is a gold-plated bronze with a thin raised edge. The obverse features an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, crowned with the George IV State Diadem, circumscribed by the words “QUEEN OF CANADA • REINE DU CANADA.” The reverse displays a stylized maple leaf with “CANADA” at the bottom and the years 1952 and 2002 on either side of the Royal Cypher and crown.

Both medals were issued unnamed and are suspended from the same broad royal blue ribbon with red outer stripes and, at the center, double white stripes with a red stripe between.