Canada. A Quebec Provincial Medal of Vigilance and Loyalty, Type I (1939-1961)

In bronze, obverse illustrating the Quebec provincial coat-of-arms, flanked by branches of laurel leaves on either side, inscribed "SÛRETÉ PROVINCIALE" (Provincial Security) below, reverse illustrating a winged warrior standing upon a dragon, the warrior grasping a downward-pointing spear and pointing it at the dragon, inscribed "VIGILANCE ET LOYAUTÉ" (Vigilance and Loyalty) above, engraved "19" and "37" (1937) on either side of the warrior, officially engraved "AGENT ARTHUR NORMANDEAU" below, measuring 38.3 mm in diameter, original ribbon in alternating navy blue and beige stripes with pinback, representing the colours of the provincial police constable's uniform during the 1950s, extremely fine. Accompanied by its 31.5 mm (w) x 10.5 mm (h) ribbon bar with pinback, in its hardshelled case of issue, black pebbled exterior on all sides, maker marked "WILLIAM SCULLY LTD." on the inside lid, royal blue felt medal bed, case also extremely fine. Also included are colour printouts documenting the history of the award, in French.

Footnote: The Quebec Provincial Medal of Vigilance and Loyalty (La médaille Vigilance et Loyauté) was established in 1955 and was awarded up to 1959. During this period, 118 Police Officers and 11 Employees received this medal. It was re-introduced after 1961, with the Quebec provincial coat-of-arms and laurel branches replaced by the Sûreté du Québec coat-of-arms on the obverse, the reverse with the winged warrior and dragon enlarged, in order to fill in the area below where the type I version of the medals were previously engraved. The Sûreté du Québec (Quebec's Safety), abbreviated SQ, is the provincial police force for the province of Quebec. No official English name exists, but the agency's name is sometimes translated to Quebec Provincial Police in English-language sources. The headquarters of the Sûreté du Québec are located on Parthenais street in Montreal and the force employs roughly 5,200 officers. SQ is the second largest provincial force (behind the Ontario Provincial Police) and fourth largest force in Canada (behind the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Toronto Police Service, and the Ontario Provincial Police).