What are the identifying markings on a Victoria Cross?

[10ClarionSt]

Every Victoria Cross is supposed to have special markings on to prevent them being forged. Does anyone know how to tell what they are? Go on! Tell us! I'm not going to forge any but it's fascinating innit?

[mycatis]

On the front of the VC reads the inscription "For Valour", and the hand engraved details of the recipient on the back (name, rank, number, unit and the date of the action).

[gary baldy]

As i'm sure you know 10CS VC's are only made by one jeweller (Hancocks) and they are alleged to be only cast from two cannons.
From this i would suspect you could a) take a sample from the medal and compare it to the source material - if it doesnt match its a fake and b) i'm sure Hancocks build in certain flourishes and discreet marks that only they would recognise and which i'm sure they keep very very secret.
Yes it is fascinating!
I went to an exhibition at the IWM a few years back about the VC and they had some of the medals with the accounts recounting the circumstances around their award.
I'm not ashamed to say i shed a few tears reading the amazing bravery and selflessness displayed by some of those awarded the VC.

[Philtaz]

Good answer by gary baldy. Don't want to appear pedantic but I thought they were from only one cannon, a Russian gun captured during the Crimean War, though I stand to be corrected by those with a greater knowledge of such matters.

[pega]

You might be interested to know that from April the 50pence is going to feature two images of Victoria Cross I read about this week. an anniversary of the medal