The Honoris Crux (Cross of Honour) of 1952, post-nominal letters HC, is a military decoration for bravery which was instituted by the Union of South Africa in 1952.

[1][3][4][5][6] The Honoris Crux of 1952, post-nominal letters HC, was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II on 6 April 1952, during the Tercentenary Van Riebeeck Festival.

[8][9][10] The position of the Honoris Crux of 1952 in the official order of precedence was revised twice after 1975, to accommodate the inclusion or institution of new decorations and medals.

[10] The Honoris Crux of 1952 is a silver-gilt Maltese cross which fits in a 45 millimetres diameter circle, with the arms of the cross in green enamel and with four eagles between the arms, all looking towards their right, with a roundel in the centre tierced horizontally in enameled orange, white and blue bands which represent the national flag and framed in a red circle inscribed "HONORIS CRUX".

Specimens which were minted before South Africa became a republic in 1961, had Queen Elizabeth's royal cipher (E II R) above the coat of arms.