The medal was struck to celebrate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee, the 50th anniversary of her reign. It was awarded to those involved in the official celebrations, including members of the Royal Family, Royal Household and government officials, as well as Envoys, Foreign Ambassadors and Colonial Prime Ministers. Military recipients included selected officers, sailors and soldiers of the Royal Navy and Army, and the Indian and colonial contingents, that participated in jubilee activities, including the London parade and the Royal Naval Review at Spithead, where the commander of each ship received the medal in silver. The medal was worn on the left breast, originally after the insignia of orders and before campaign medals. In November 1918 the order of wear changed, with all coronation and jubilee medals now worn after campaign medals and before long service awards. Ladies could wear the medal near their left shoulder with the ribbon tied in the form of a bow. A Police Golden Jubilee Medal of a different design was awarded to members of the Metropolitan and City of London Police Forces on duty during the jubilee celebrations.
Description
The medal measures in diameter and was awarded in gold, silver and in bronze. On the obverse, Queen Victoria is depicted crowned and wearing a veil which falls over the back of the head and neck, with the text VICTORIA D.G. REGINA ET IMPERATRIX F.D.. The reverse bears the words IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 50TH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF QUEEN VICTORIA · 21 JUNE 1887 within a garland of roses, shamrock and thistles. The bust of Queen Victoria on obverse was designed by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm and the reverse wreath designed by Clemens Emptmayer, who was recommended by Boehm. The ribbon is garter blue with wide white stripes towards each edge. The medal was awarded unnamed. When Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee was celebrated 10 years later, holders of the 1887 medal who qualified for the Diamond Jubilee Medal were awarded a bar inscribed '1897' to attach to the ribbon of their existing medal.
