Stephen Album Rare Coins
Auction 18 16-18 January 2014
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TURKEY: Mehmet V, 1909-1918, Harp Madalyasi, AH1333, The Ottoman War Medal (Gallipoli Star), five-pointed gilt-silver and enamelled star with ball-tipped finials; the face with the tughra of Sultan Mehmet Reshad V centrally above the date AH1333 (= 1915AD), all within an upwards-facing silvered crescent; the reverse plain with pin for wearing, German or Austrian made, EF.
The Ottoman War Medal (Harp Madalyasi), better known as the Gallipoli Star, or the Iron Crescent (from the German word Eiserner Halbmond in allusion to the Iron Cross) was a military decoration of the Ottoman Empire which was instituted by the Sultan Mehmet Reshad V on 1 March 1915 for gallantry in battle. This decoration was awarded for the duration of World War I to Ottoman and other Central Powers troops, primarily in Ottoman areas of engagement. The Medal (Madalyasi) is to all intents an Order.
It was awarded widely during the Gallipoli campaign and is often known in the West as the 'Gallipoli Star', though it was not technically a campaign medal. Some were issued with campaign bars with red Arabic script in the field denoting the specific campaign: Chanakkale/Chanak (Gallipoli), Gaza, Kanal, Kut-al-Amara, and/or Sanatorium.
The Central Powers often called the award the 'Eiserner Halbmond' (Iron Crescent), despite the fact that it was made of silver or German silver, rather than iron, since it was seen as equivalent to the Prussian Iron Cross. All awards manufactured within the Ottoman Empire had red-painted faces; those made in Austria and Germany, such as this example by B.B. & Co of Berlin, have red enamel faces. Since the European-made examples were often awarded to German and Austrian officers, a belief has grown up that the Medal was issued in enamel to officers and paint to other ranks. This was not the case; the Medal was issued in one class, the material used being dictated by the place of manufacture rather than the rank of the recipient. Good original examples, especially in enamel such as this example, have become hard to find.
Estimate: 100-125 USD
The Ottoman War Medal (Harp Madalyasi), better known as the Gallipoli Star, or the Iron Crescent (from the German word Eiserner Halbmond in allusion to the Iron Cross) was a military decoration of the Ottoman Empire which was instituted by the Sultan Mehmet Reshad V on 1 March 1915 for gallantry in battle. This decoration was awarded for the duration of World War I to Ottoman and other Central Powers troops, primarily in Ottoman areas of engagement. The Medal (Madalyasi) is to all intents an Order.
It was awarded widely during the Gallipoli campaign and is often known in the West as the 'Gallipoli Star', though it was not technically a campaign medal. Some were issued with campaign bars with red Arabic script in the field denoting the specific campaign: Chanakkale/Chanak (Gallipoli), Gaza, Kanal, Kut-al-Amara, and/or Sanatorium.
The Central Powers often called the award the 'Eiserner Halbmond' (Iron Crescent), despite the fact that it was made of silver or German silver, rather than iron, since it was seen as equivalent to the Prussian Iron Cross. All awards manufactured within the Ottoman Empire had red-painted faces; those made in Austria and Germany, such as this example by B.B. & Co of Berlin, have red enamel faces. Since the European-made examples were often awarded to German and Austrian officers, a belief has grown up that the Medal was issued in enamel to officers and paint to other ranks. This was not the case; the Medal was issued in one class, the material used being dictated by the place of manufacture rather than the rank of the recipient. Good original examples, especially in enamel such as this example, have become hard to find.
Estimate: 100-125 USD