TURKEY: Mehmet V, 1909-1918, AE medal (107.76g), 1917//AH1335, NP-1149, 65mm; Issued for the visit of Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany to the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet V, whom he met in Constantinople on 15 October 1917 (27 Dhu'l-Hijja AH1335): Imperial Eagle of Germany, surrounded by a German text commemorating his visit that October // Sultan's toughra with al-ghazi to the right, text of the same visit in Ottoman Turkish around; beautifully toned; an a cherry wood case (probably modern), XF-AU, RRR. This was Wilhelm's third visit to Istanbul, in hopes of restoring a good relationship with the Ottomans during the critical period of the First World War. This was a crucial time, as Russia was distracted by the Bolshevik uprising, the United States had entered the War against Germany and its allies, Britain and France were taking over parts of the Ottoman Empire in Africa and the Middle East, and the Ottoman forces were proving themselves incapable of maintaining their forces.The medal was struck in both silver and bronze. Pere illustrates the silver medal, with a note that bronze medals also exist. Three examples of the bronze are filed on CoinArchives but none in silver.
Estimate: USD 1200 - 1500
Price realized | 950 USD |
Starting price | 950 USD |
Estimate | 1'200 USD |