2006 Canada Dollar 150th Ann. Of the Victoria Cross Proof Silver (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)