Canada, Commonwealth. A Rare And Never Awarded Canada Medal, C. 1950

Instituted 1943. A silver medal, the obverse portraying a left facing effigy of King George VI, surrounded by the inscription GEORGEIVS VID G BR OMN REX ETINDIAE IMP, the reverse presents a crowned Royal Arms of Canada with a scroll reading CANADA below, surrounded by a wreath of maple leaves, measures 36.44mm (w) x 36.28mm (h), weighs 31.2 grams, dark patina, mission ribbon and bar, still very fine condition.

Footnote: The Canada Medal was created in 1943 in an attempt to establish an honours system in Canada that was separate from the United Kingdom, however it was never awarded. Following the First World War, there is widespread discontent surrounding the lack of honours awarded to Canadians. This resulted in the creation of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Long Service Medal in 1935. During the Second World War, the Awards Coordination Committee (ACC) was successful in their proposal, as a Royal Warrant by George VI established the medal on August 27, 1943. It was to be the preeminent distinguished service medal for both civilians and military personnel of Canada. It was to be awarded on the basis of “specially valuable and meritorious service of a high standard… special service of a high degree of merit, such as discharge of special duties superior to the person’s ordinary work… highly meritorious performance of ordinary duties where these have entailed work of a specifically trying character.” Prime Minister King was not in favour of the award, and it was therefore never awarded. The Canada Medal was an official decoration of the country until it was revoked in 1966 due to the creation of the Order of Canada.