Found this medallion / medal in a box of old British coins and can't find anything about it, so was hoping someone might recognize it. The medallion is about the size of a U.S. Kennedy half dollar and features a maritime theme with an engraving of a battleship, complete with a prominent mast and smokestacks, sailing on the waves. Above the ship, there's an inscription that reads "BRITANNIA RULES THE WAVES." To the right of the ship, there's an emblem that appears to be a naval insignia. The medallion also has a rectangular loop at the top, flanked by two small lion heads. Any info would be cool, because it is really an interesting medallion! Thanks!!
Its not an official medal. The real Long Service & Good Conduct medal has the monarch on the other side and is struck in Sterling silver, and it has those words around the sides. It has a ship under sail with rigging rather than steaming.
What is the actual size please? Sorry but I have no idea how big a Kennedy half dollar is! It looks like a small horse brass to me. The crown & wreath emblem appears to be the Royal Navy crest with Queen Victoria's crown so before 1901.
LOL! Indeed... The medallion is 1 1/2 inches or about 3 1/2 centimeters (if I am reading my tape measure correctly). Many Thanks Lucy!!!
Thank you! Ah, quite small then so probably not a horse brass! Is there something written on the side of the ship - under the flag on the far left?
Also, I tried to find online another example of the crown (Victoria, you stated) on another coin or medallion, and could not find it either! :-/
No, can't make anything out under the flag either! I'm beginning to think that Komokwa was probably right and your "medal" was from a key fob! I was thrown by the fact that you found it in with old coins so wanted to think it must be old too! A nod to late Victorian naval power with a stylised crest & crown. Here are two Victorian Royal Navy buttons.