Gold, 28 mm., weight: 18.18 g., the obverse with the Sultan’s Tughra resting on the crescent and engraved inscription below, beaded border, the reverse with laurel wreath with sanat date 1312 below, ornated, “British-style” suspension, original ribbon with vertical pin to the reverse and fitted case of issue, and original Firman (fragile and in poor condition) with translation in French, and an official Presidential warrant confirming his appointment as Consul of Turkey at Chicago, dated 14 April 1877, signed by President Rutherford B Hayes.
An exceptionally rare medal of which this could be the only surviving golden piece, excellent condition.
Provenance: awarded to the Belgian-born American Financier and Businessman Charles Henrotin (1843-1914), who served as Consul General for Turkey in the Northwest United States, and was the principal founder of the Chicago Stock Exchange.
Note: On 10th of July 1894 Turkey was hit by a powerful earthquake with its epicentre in the Sea of Marmara. More than a thousand people were killed, including 276 in Istanbul itself where the quake also caused extensive damage to the old city. Medals of this type (Harekat-i-Arz) were struck in gold, silver and bronze and were presented to people who gave assistance in the aftermath of the earth- quake, either in the form of financial aid or by helping personally. The named pieces are rare in any type.
Bibl.: Edhem Eldem: Pride and Privilege, Ottoman Bank, 2004; pp. 316-317, 324-325; Erüreten, 93, p. 270. I RR!