page_title: Efficiency Medal
section_title: Obverse
hierarchical_section_title: Efficiency Medal / Description / Obverse
caption_attribution_description: English: The type 3 Queen Elizabeth II version of the Efficiency Medal (Canada). This medal version was created by Canada utilising a unique Royal Canadian Mint effigy of the Queen and was awarded only to Canadians.
context_page_description: The Efficiency Medal was instituted in 1930 for award to part-time warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men after twelve years of efficient service on the active list of the Militia or the Territorial Army of the United Kingdom, or of the other Auxiliary Military Forces throughout the British Empire. At the same time a clasp was instituted for award to holders of the medal upon completion of further periods of six years of efficient service.
  The medal superseded the Volunteer Long Service Medal, the Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies, the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal, the Militia Long Service Medal, the Special Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and the Territorial Efficiency Medal.
  In the British Commonwealth, the Efficiency Medal was gradually superseded by national medals in some member countries, in Canada by the Canadian Forces Decoration in 1951, in the Union of South Africa by the John Chard Medal in 1952 and in Australia by the Reserve Force Medal in 1982. In the United Kingdom the medal was superseded by the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal in 1999.
context_section_description: Six versions of the medal have been awarded, the sixth only in Canada. The obverse has a raised rim on all versions and bears the crowned effigy of the reigning monarch.
  The original version has the effigy of King George V in coronation robes and wearing the Tudor Crown. It is circumscribed "GEORGIVS•V•D•G•BRITT•OMN REX•ET•INDIÆ•IMP•". The initials "BM" at the bottom of the effigy are those of the designer of the obverse, Sir Bertram Mackennal KCVO, an Australian sculptor.
  The first King George VI version was introduced after his succession to the throne in 1936 and has his effigy in coronation robes and wearing the Tudor Crown, facing left and circumscribed "GEORGIVS•VI•D•G•BR•OMN•REX•ET•INDIÆ•IMP•". The initials "PM" below the effigy are those of the designer of the obverse, sculptor Percy Metcalfe CVO RDI.
  The second King George VI version was introduced after 1947, when his title "Emperor of India" was abandoned and reference to India was omitted from the medal inscription. The effigy on the obverse remained the same, but the circumscription was changed to "GEORGIVS VI DEI GRA BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF:".
  The first Queen Elizabeth II version was introduced after her succession to the throne in 1952 and has her effigy, facing right and wearing the Tudor Crown. It is circumscribed "ELIZABETH II D: G: BR: OMN: REGINA F: D:" reading around from the top.
  The second Queen Elizabeth II version was introduced after her coronation in 1953 and has the same effigy, but is circumscribed "ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID. DEF." reading around from the top.
  The third Queen Elizabeth II version, created by Canada utilising a unique Royal Canadian Mint effigy of the Queen and awarded only to Canadians, has her crowned effigy, facing right and wearing the Saint Edward's Crown. It is circumscribed "ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA".
caption: Third Queen Elizabeth II version with a "CANADA" suspender bar
exif: {}