Stephen Album Rare Coins
Auction 18 16-18 January 2014
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TURKEY: Abdul Aziz, 1861-1876, AR medal, AH1285 (1868), NP-1108, The Cretan Revolt Medal (Girid Madalyasi), 1st issue, the tughra of Abdul Aziz above a double crescent / panoramic view of the island of Crete, the word "Girid" (Crete) below, with date AH1285 (1868) below, piecred as usual, with original suspender, Fine to VF, R.
Although uprisings among the Greek inhabitants of the island of Crete had been occurring for years, an outright revolt began on May 14, 1866, when a group of Greek citizens demanded lower taxes and changes in the court system. Although their demands were met, Ottoman troops were mobilized immediately, expecting outright rebellion. This became a self-fulfilling prophecy, and fighting broke out between Cretan Greeks and Turkish solders. Thousands of Greek volunteers arrived on the island from the mainland, and the Greek government appealed to the Western powers to intervene on their behalf. Britain and Austria, however, were opposed to intervention for the time being. Thus, the Ottoman armies achieved one of their most uncompromised victories of the century, settling the affair in 1869. The Empire was able to retain Crete in some form for another 43 years. The original ribbon color of this medal is believed to have been solid red.
Estimate: 125-175 USD
Although uprisings among the Greek inhabitants of the island of Crete had been occurring for years, an outright revolt began on May 14, 1866, when a group of Greek citizens demanded lower taxes and changes in the court system. Although their demands were met, Ottoman troops were mobilized immediately, expecting outright rebellion. This became a self-fulfilling prophecy, and fighting broke out between Cretan Greeks and Turkish solders. Thousands of Greek volunteers arrived on the island from the mainland, and the Greek government appealed to the Western powers to intervene on their behalf. Britain and Austria, however, were opposed to intervention for the time being. Thus, the Ottoman armies achieved one of their most uncompromised victories of the century, settling the affair in 1869. The Empire was able to retain Crete in some form for another 43 years. The original ribbon color of this medal is believed to have been solid red.
Estimate: 125-175 USD