Watch List notes:

OTTOMAN, 'ABD AL-HAMID II (1293-1327h), Large gold medal for the Earthquake of July 10, 1894. OBVERSE: Toughra within crescent; Hamiyet ve ebnaya cinsine muavenet below. REVERSE: Laurel-wreath with date sanat 1312 below, in the centre of which is engraved banq 'Uthmani mu'awini ('Osmanli bankasi Muavinine / Vice President of the Ottoman Bank'). WEIGHT: 34.06g. DIAMETER: 34.9mm. REFERENCES: Erüreten p.269. CONDITION: Minor contact marks, almost extremely fine and extremely rare, in original red fitted case with seal affixed to the base reading 'Imperial Ottoman bank Cairo'. NOTE: On 10 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 in gold, silver and bronze were presented to people who gave assistance in the aftermath of the earthquake, either in the form of financial aid or by helping personally. The present piece is an extremely rare example of the large-sized gold award.

Estimate: £8,000-10000