Turkish Crimea Medal

[stratasfan]

The Turkish Crimean Medal was a campaign medal, and issued to surviving allied Military Armed Forces personnel who served in the Crimean War. This medal was not issued posthumously. There are three versions of this medal, each highlighting a particular ally - British, French, and Sardinian. The Turkish medal was made of lower grade silver than British medals usually were, and many British veterans had their own medals made out of higher-quality silver, so private purchase medals are fairly common for British awards.

 

DESCRIPTION

A silver medal suspended by a bright-red ribbon with green edges ½ in. wide running through a small ring. These medals have several cariations as they were intended for the British, French, and Sardinian soldiers, and had among the trophy of flags that of the country the recipient belonged to in the front, beside the Turkish flag, and in the exergue either CRIMEA 1855, LA CRIMEA 1855, or CRIMEE 1855, but as the ship which was bringing the medals to England was wrecked, many men received the French or Sardinian variety. On the Obverse, these medals display the Sultan's cypher encircled by a laurel wreath, with the date in Arabic Hegira "1271."

 

This medal was often worn and is displayed with the Cannon and Flags side showing to the front, but that is actually the Reverse side. The true Obverse is the Sultan's cypher. However, it is commonly seen reversed. 

 

They were generally issued unnamed, though often found unofficially engraved. 

 

*The story of the ship wreck that resulted in the loss of many of the British medals is a bit vague. Wrecked, Foundered, or Sunk. I found one passing mention that it happened of the coast of Malta and the medals are 60 fathoms down. Also, I've seen that 20,000 were lost and that 60,000 were lost. Also, that some medals were rescued, but nothing more than that. If you have more information, I would love to hear from you! 

 

(Home News for India, China and the Colonies August 3, 1859)

 

MEDAL

 

British-issue medal Reverse (Notice how the British flag is next to the Turkish in the center):

(Photo courtesy of ErwinRommel1940)

 

Obverse:

(Photo courtesy of ErwinRommel1940)

 

Close-Up of Sardinian-Issue medal (notice how the Sardinian flag is next to the Turkish flag in the center):

 

If you have one of these medals to show, a picture of a soldier wearing it, or a story about this medal being awarded/earned . . . please feel free to share it here!