The medal, designed by
William Wyon, was silver and in diameter, with the following design:The obverse shows the
diademed head Queen Victoria facing left with the inscription 'VICTORIA VINDEX', Vindex translating as 'Protector'.Four different reverses were struck, indicating the campaigns in which the recipient served:'CANDAHAR 1842' within a laurel wreath, surmounted by a crown. For operations around
Kandahar from March to May 1842. Slightly over 2,600 were awarded.'CABUL 1842' within a laurel wreath, surmounted by a crown. For the advance on
Kabul, culminating in the city's capture on 15 September 1842. Approximately 12,750 were awarded.'GHUZNEE' 'CABUL', each within a separate laurel wreath, surmounted by a single crown and with the year '1842' below. For the forces who defeated the Afghans at
Ghuznee on 30 August and who then advanced on Kabul. About 1,520 were awarded.'CANDAHAR, GHUZNEE, CABUL 1842' within a single laurel wreath, surmounted by a crown. For those present at all three campaigns. Slightly over 5,200 were awarded. The suspension consists of a straight steel suspender, attached to the medal by way of a steel clip and pin. Some recipients later replaced this with a more ornate silver suspension. The ribbon is the watered rainbow coloured ribbon common to most East India Company medals, with a pattern of red, white, yellow, white and blue. The recipient's name and regiment were engraved on the edge for the medal. While no official clasps were awarded, 'Marzenia 1842' and 'Tazeane 1842' were sometimes privately added to the ribbon of the Cabul medal. ==Anglo-Afghan War==