A contemporary miniature of the Punjab Medal (1849), produced for wear in officers’ and veterans’ mess-dress groups. These miniatures were privately made in the mid- to late-19th century and were never officially issued by the Crown, but they closely follow the design of the original campaign medal awarded for the Punjab campaign in the Second Sikh War (1848–49), which ended in the British annexation of the Punjab.
Description
This miniature reproduces the distinctive design of the official Punjab Medal:
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Form: Small circular silvered medal.
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Obverse: Diademed head of Queen Victoria facing left, with legend:
“VICTORIA REGINA”
(The portrait follows the Young Head style used on the full-size medal.) -
Reverse: a scene showing Sir Walter Gilbert receiving the Sikh surrender with the legend TO THE ARMY OF THE PUNJAB above, and below MDCCCXLIX, the year 1849 in Roman numerals.
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Suspension: Small ornate bar with a swivel suspender.
Approximate Specifications
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Diameter: ~18 mm (standard miniature size)
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Material: Silvered metal
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Ribbon Width: ~16 mm
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Suspension: Ornate swivel suspender
Condition
Very good. Generally, a well-struck contemporary piece with crisp Victorian portrait detail and a clear rendering of the reverse scene. Ribbon typically remains bright and correct to the pattern. As a privately made miniature, small variations in strike, suspension, or lettering are normal.
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