History

The Medal for Volunteers of Coimbra Academic (Insígnia do Corpo Voluntário Académico de Conimbra) was established by the General Courts of Portugal in 1808, to reward all volunteers from different Universities in Coimbra who voluntary coordinated a civil army to fight against Napoleonic invading army during the Peninsular War.

The Medal was authorized with two grades, Gold Medal and Silver Medal; it is not clear if the grade denoted the rank of the recipient.

There are known several versions that differ in composition, including porcelain and ivory, size, and inscription. Some version have plain reverse, while other have double-sided design.