History

The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal 2002 was issued in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne. The Medal was awarded to a wide range of recipients. Members of the Armed Forces who completed 5 years of service prior to February 6, 2002, retired Generals who were Chief of either the General Staff or the Defence Staff, and members of the Royal Navy and Royal Armed Forces ranks of equivalent status were eligible. Police and other ancillary services personnel along with members of the Royal Household were also eligible to receive the award. It is estimated that approximately 400000 Medals were issued.

The Medal issued to Canadian recipients features a distinct obverse and reverse design as well as a different composition. While the general version issued to the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth recipients features the obverse inscription "ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REGINA FID DEF" and the reverse inscription of the dates "1952 2002," the Canadian version depicts the obverse inscription "QUEEN OF CANADA REINE DU CANADA" and the reverse inscription "1952 CANADA 2002."