Obverse: The head of Queen Victoria wearing a diadem and with hair tied in a knot. Legend: 'VICTORIA REGINA 1848'. Reverse: Britannia seated on a sea horse, a trident in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. Inscription on bars: 'BASQUE ROADS 1809', 'ST SEBASTIAN', 'ALGIERS'. Inscription on the edge: 'JOHN TAYLOR'. The medal is suspended by a straight clasp from a white ribbon, edged dark blue. Different individuals called John Taylor were present at Algiers and Basque Roads, no John Taylor at the capture of St Sebastian.