 Its obverse bore the relief image of the Belgian lion, an heraldic "lion rampant" on a pedestal, but moving from left to right, with banners to the left and right, the relief circular inscription along the medal's upper edge () translating into "TO THE DEFENDERS OF THE COUNTRY".The relief bore the relief coats of arms of the nine Belgian provinces arranged in a circle around a sun with the relief year "1830" superimposed over it, all of which are surrounded by the relief circular inscription () translating into "INDEPENDENCE OF BELGIUM".The award was topped by a pivot mounted crown from which it was suspended to the same ribbon as the cross first class by a ring through a suspension loop.