This version of the Victoria Cross with the Navy ribbon was awarded from the time the decoration was instituted in 1856 until 1917. Since 1918 the crimson ribbon has been used for all awards. 

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious award of the British Honours system. It is awarded for Valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces. It may be awarded posthumously. It was previously awarded to Commonwealth countries, most of which have established their own honours systems and no longer recommend British honours. It may be awarded to a person of any military rank in any service and to civilians under military command although no civilian has received the award since 1879. Since the first awards were presented by Queen Victoria in 1857, two-thirds of all awards have been personally presented by the British Monarch. These investitures are usually held at Buckingham Palace.

The Victoria Cross for New Zealand was instituted in 1999 to replace the British Victoria Cross for future awards to New Zealand military personnel. The medal and ribbon for the Victoria Cross for New Zealand is identical to the British Victoria Cross instituted in 1856. The Victoria Cross for New Zealand is the premier New Zealand award for gallantry. It is awarded for ‘most conspicuous gallantry, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour, self sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy or of belligerents'.

There are three other awards for gallantry in the New Zealand honours system: the New Zealand Gallantry Star, the New Zealand Gallantry Decoration, and the New Zealand Gallantry Medal.

The Victoria Cross for New Zealand is a bronze cross paty or formy (with straight edges). In the centre of the cross is the Royal Crest above a scroll inscribed with the words "For Valour". The cross is attached by the letter "V" to a straight bronze suspender bar bearing laurel leaves.

A total of 21 (British) Victoria Crosses and one Bar have been awarded to New Zealanders.

The first, and to date, only award of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand was made to Corporal Willie Apiata NZSAS on 2 July 2007. Recipients of either the British Victoria Cross or the Victoria Cross for New Zealand are entitled to use the postnominal letters V.C. after their names.

This full size replica of the Victoria Cross is the British version and is of the highest quality. It is supplied with the same English manufactured ribbon.