Empress of India Medal

The Empress of India Medal, also referred to as KIH Medal, was a commemorative medal awarded to mark the occasion of the proclamation of Queen Victoria as Empress of India in 1877. It was the first official commemorative medal issued by the British Monarchy that was intended to be worn.

History
The first official medals to commemorate the coronation of a British sovereign were distributed in 1547, marking the coronation of King Edward VI. These medals were medallions or commemorative coins, not intended for wear. The first official medal, commemorating a royal occasion, which was intended to be worn, was the Empress of India Medal. This medal marked the occasion of the proclamation at the Delhi Durbar of Queen Victoria as Empress of India on 1 January 1877. The medal was awarded to Indian princes, senior officials, as well as select military officers, and soldiers.

Appearance
The medal was made in both gold and silver, with gold medals going to individuals of higher rank. The medal measures 58 mm in diameter, nearly 20 mm more than a campaign medal. The obverse of the medal depicts the diademed effigy of Queen Victoria, wearing a veil which falls over the back of the head and neck. Around the beaded edge of the medal is inscribed Victoria 1st January 1877. The reverse bears the inscription Empress of India in English and Hind-ka-Kesar in Hindustani and Persian. Around the edge is a repeating decorative design.

It was worn on a ribbon around the neck. The ribbon is purple, with thin yellow stripes at the edges.