The mark of courage under fire, the Star of MilitaryValour is one of Canada's highest military honours for valour in combat. Established in 1993, it is awarded to members of the Canadian Forces and their comrades-in-arms for "distinguished and valiant service in the presence of the enemy." Its star-shaped insignia graces the reverse of this 25th-anniversary tribute piece, where translucent paint over engraving adds the true colours of the actual decoration.

The Star of Military Valour:A History

On February 2, 1993, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II approved a series of three military valour decorations to be added to the Canadian Honours System: the Victoria Cross (V.C.), the Star of Military Valour (S.M.V.) and the Medal of Military Valour (M.M.V.).

These national honours had been the focus of repeated discussion and lobbying efforts since the establishmentof the Decorations for Bravery, which broadly recognized any acts of courage, civilian or military. It was against the backdrop of the Gulf War of 1990-1991 that the Honours Policy Committee moved forward with the creation of separate valour decorations for the military. Today, the Starof Military Valour represents this nation's second-highest honour for courage in combat, and the highest awarded during Canada's engagement in Afghanistan.

Your coin is a tribute to Canada's highest military honours for valour in combat. Order today.

• EXCEPTIONAL SERIES, EXCEPTIONAL CANADIANS:Given the success of the 2017 Canadian Honours coins, we are pleased to continue the commemorations in 2018 with the 25th Anniversary of the Star of Military Valour coin.
• FIRST TIME THE STAR OF MILITARY VALOUR HAS APPEARED ON A COIN: It is a design the Royal Canadian Mint know well as each insignia is specially crafted by us.
• 25 YEARS OF RECOGNIZING COURAGE IN COMBAT: A special tribute to the recipients of the Star of Military Valour, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2018.
• BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED IN 1 OZ OF 99.99% PURE SILVER: Your large (40 mm) coin combines precision engraving with a complex colour application, all in a proof finish that makes your coin a stunning collectible and poignant tribute piece.
• STRUCK AND IN FULL COLOUR: Translucent paint over engraving adds the true colours of the actual Star, which is also meticulously crafted by the Royal Canadian Mint.
• LOW MINTAGE: Yourcoin has a low limited worldwide mintage of 5,500.
• INCLUDES SERIALIZED CERTIFICATE: The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins. Most of these are serialized certifications, meaning that each certificate is given a unique number, starting at 1.
• NO GST/HST: Your coin has no GST/HST.

Your coin features a detailed reproductionof the Star of Military Valour, one of three Military Valour Decorations established in 1993. As originally designed by the late Bruce W. Beatty, C.M., S.O.M., C.D., the four-pointed gold star is patterned after the Star of Courage, with sculpted maple leaves positioned at each of the four angles. The Star's colours are replicated by an application of red, silver and gold translucent paint over the engraved elements—especially the maple leaf superimposed in the centre and surrounded by a laurel wreath. The reverse includes the engraved commemorative dates "1993" and "2018", as well as the word "CANADA". The obversefeatures the effigy of Her Majesty Queen ElizabethII by Susanna Blunt.

• The three Military Valour Decorations (the Victoria Cross, the Star of Military Valour and the Medal of Military Valour) were approved on February 2, 1993, but were made retroactive to January 1, 1993.
• None were awarded until October 2006, after Canada's involvement in Afghanistan provided the circumstances to meet the eligibility criteria.And while 94 Canadians were awarded the original Victoria Cross (under the British system of honours) between 1856 and 1982, no Canadian Victoria Cross has been issued to date.
• Of the 18 recipients of the Star of Military Valour, one was awarded posthumously.
• Recipients of the Star of Military Valour have the right to use the post-nominal letters "S.M.V."
• Both the Star and the Medal of Military Valour may be presented more than once, but the recipient wears only one insignia. Any subsequent award is marked by an added bar on the medal's ribbon.
• The insignia was designed by the late Bruce W. Beatty, C.M., S.O.M., C.D., who is credited with the original designs for a number of insignias within the Canadian Honours System—including the Order of Canada.

Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded maroon clamshell with ablack beauty box.

Order today.