History

The medal was instituted on June 2, 1953 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. This medal was conferred upon citizens who had been nominated by their peers for service in both the public and private sectors, benefitting their country and the commonwealth.

The obverse simply features the bust of Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse features a crown and the royal cipher EIIR, inscribed with [QUEEN ELIZABETH II CROWNED 2ND JUNE 1953].

On the day of the coronation, news reached the United Kingdom that Sir Edmund Hillary's expedition had reached the summit of Mount Everest. Members of the Hunt Expedition were presented with coronation medals at Buckingham Palace on July 16, 1953 with a unique inscription; [MOUNT EVEREST EXPEDITION].