The picture on the left is of the front of the India Medal awarded by the British government. The picture on the right is the reverse side of the same medal. These images were taken from a web site and their medal ribbons are in better shape than ours. However, the medals are definitely the same as what were handed down to us.

The front side of this medal bears the diademed head of Queen Victoria with the inscription VICTORIA REGINA. The reverse depicts Britannia holding a shield covered with a Union Jack over her left arm while holding a wreath in her outstretched right hand. Behind her is a lion with the word INDIA above and the dates 1857-1858 in the exergue below. The designer's name L. C. Wyon can be seen next to Britannia's left foot. The ribbon is attached by an ornate horn shaped swivelling suspender sweated to the medal.

Five clasps were awarded: DELHI (30th May to 14th Sept 1857), DEFENCE OF LUCKNOW (29th Jun to 22nd Nov 1857), RELIEF OF LUCKNOW (Nov 1857), LUCKNOW (Nov 1857 to Mar 1858) and CENTRAL INDIA (Jan to Jun 1858). Our medal has the Central India clasp.

Ribbon: 1.25" wide, white with two central red stripes. (Our medal's white stripes have been yellowed by age.)

The suspender to this medal (shared only with the Second China War Medal) is somewhat delicate and often found broken or damaged so care should be taken when purchasing for repairs. (Our medal's suspender is undamaged.)

Sources

The Indian Mutiny Medal pictures and information were found at a site for collectors of British military medals: http://www.britishmilitarymedals.co.uk/indianmutinymedal.htm