Breast Badge, 35x28 mm., 12.4 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.
An exceptionally rare medal, mint condition. I RR!
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.
Dia. 28,0 mm.; weight: 18.18 g.
Bibl.: Edhem Eldem: Pride and Privilege, Ottoman Bank, 2004; pp. 316-317, 324-325; Erüreten, 93, p. 270