2006 Canada Dollar 150th Anniversary Of The Victoria Cross Gold Plated Silver in square capsule (No Tax)

From the cascabels of Russian cannons that were captured during the Crimean War (1854-1855), a great military honour is forged. It is the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration that is awarded for most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.

Instituted by Queen Victoria in 1856, a total 1,351 Victoria Crosses have been awarded to British and Commonwealth military forces. Ninety-four of them have been awarded to Canadians; 8 for acts of bravery carried out prior to and during the South African War (1899-1902); 70 during the First World War (1914-1918); and 16 during the Second World War (1939-1945).

The Victoria Cross is one of the most recognized military medals in the world. It features a cross pattee with the Royal Crown surmounted by a lion guardant and a scroll inscribed with For Valour. The date of the act is engraved within a raised circle on the reverse. The cross is suspended from a straight bar which has the rank, unit and name of the recipient engraved on the back.

In 1993, a special Canadian version was instituted. It is identical to the original with the exception that the inscription on the scroll is in Latin (Pro Valore)