Circular silver medal pierced for suspension loop and with ornate silver suspension bar; the face with the tughra of Sultan Abdülmecid Dönemi within a border of elaborate circular stylised tulips and with beaded edge; the reverse with a rectangular plaque with scalloped corners with a double line edge with geometric embellishment to the centre of each line, inscribed ‘Halka dustukce edenler imdad olunur midhad ve tahsin ile yad’ (Commemorating praiseworthy action and accomplishment in aiding those who have fallen into danger), stylised tulips around the edges and with beaded edge; on replaced correct ribbon.
The Medal was instituted in 1859 to be awarded for lifesaving from drowning, fires, earthquakes, landslides and other catastrophes and similar heroic acts performed at the risk of one’s own life.
The colour of the ribbon was determined by the number of acts for which it was awarded. For a first lifesaving act, the ribbon was solid red, for the second, as in this example, it was solid green, for a third act solid white and for a fourth, equal stripes of red, green and white. The Medal was suppressed when Turkey became a republic in 1922.
It is rare and sought-after.
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