Medal of Merit - Liyakat Madalyasi

Reverse

The reverse bears the inscription "Medal of Merit Specially for Those Who Have Shown Loyalty and Bravery," and the date AH 1308 (1890 AD), the date of the founding of the medal.

Comment

The name of this medal translates as "Medal of Merit," which indicates the general nature of its award criteria. Instituted in 1890, the Liyakat Medal became the basic military decoration of the late Ottoman Empire, through the end of the First World War. It was not strictly a military award, however, and could be awarded for general merit in society. In 1905 the statutes were amended to allow women to receive the medal for charitable work, service to mosques or schools, and other decidedly civilian merit. The medal could be inherited by the families of recipients, and heirs could even be allowed to wear the medal upon official approval. The diminutive 25 mm. medal came in both gold and silver classes, suspended from a red ribbon with narrow green side stripes.