Egypt, Medal of Benevolence, Type 1, King Fuad Issue (1928-36), First Class, in gold, for 35 or more years’ exemplary service to the King or members of the royal family, by L. Rosen on behalf of Lattes, Cairo, portrait after L. Vernier’s for various post-1924 commemorative medals, medal edge stamped with eagle’s head, 3OR and 300 in Arabic, 29.7mm; 33.18g (including suspension), small test mark on edge and minor burnishing to obverse field, very fine and very rare The Medal of Benevolence, established in 1928, came in three classes, gold for 35 year’s service or more, silver for 25 years’ service and Bronze for 15 years’ service. Two examples of the gold Medal of Benevolence with the portrait of Farouk (similar to the Cholera Prevention Medal of 1947) are known, one in the Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo, the other (lacking suspension) is in a private collection. It is possible that medals with the earlier (1938) portrait of Farouk also exist, but so far none have been seen.

Estimate: GBP 1000 - 1500