Army Gold Cross

Army Gold Cross

The Army Gold Cross was one of the most prestigious British military decorations of the Napoleonic Wars and was approved by the Prince Regent in 1813.

The award recognised officers of field rank and above who had already been honoured on four separate occasions by the award of the Army Gold Medal for distinguished service during the Peninsular War.

Rather than receiving a fifth Army Gold Medal, qualifying officers were awarded the Army Gold Cross. Subsequent actions could be recognised by the addition of clasps attached to the ribbon.

Only 164 Army Gold Crosses were awarded, making it one of the rarest British military decorations. Of these, only 61 were awarded without clasp, further enhancing the significance of surviving examples.

The cross became a symbol of exceptional leadership and repeated gallantry during the campaigns against Napoleon and remains highly regarded by collectors and military historians.

Our high-quality replica faithfully reproduces this historic British military award for display, collecting, educational purposes and replacement medal groups.

Key Features

• High-quality Army Gold Cross replica
• One of Britain's rarest military awards
• Approved by the Prince Regent in 1813
• Associated with the Peninsular War
• Correct historical design
• Ideal for collectors and display
• Suitable for medal mounting
• Excellent Napoleonic Wars collectable

Medal Design

Obverse & Reverse

The cross features four arms, each engraved with the names of actions for which the recipient had been recognised.

The names of the battles appear in raised lettering on both sides of the cross, creating a unique and highly distinctive design.

Clasps

Recipients recognised for additional actions beyond the initial four qualifying awards received clasps attached to the ribbon.

Eligibility

The Army Gold Cross was awarded to:

• Officers of field rank and above
• Officers already awarded four Army Gold Medals
• Distinguished service during the Peninsular War and associated campaigns

Historical Background

The Army Gold Medal and Army Gold Cross system was introduced to recognise exceptional leadership and gallantry amongst British Army officers during the Napoleonic Wars.

As campaigns progressed and certain officers accumulated multiple awards, the Army Gold Cross was introduced in 1813 to provide a more practical and prestigious method of recognising repeated distinguished service.

Recipients included some of the most celebrated officers of the Duke of Wellington's army, many of whom played pivotal roles in the defeat of Napoleon's forces throughout Spain, Portugal and Southern France.

With only 164 awards made, the Army Gold Cross remains one of the rarest and most sought-after British military decorations.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Army Gold Cross introduced?

The Army Gold Cross was approved by the Prince Regent in 1813.

Who qualified for the award?

Senior officers who had already received four Army Gold Medals for distinguished service.

How many Army Gold Crosses were awarded?

Only 164 crosses were awarded in total.

Were clasps awarded?

Yes. Additional actions could be recognised by clasps attached to the ribbon.

Is this an original medal?

No. This is a high-quality replica intended for collecting, display, educational use and replacement purposes.

Product Specification