Turkey - Silver Liyakat Medal
General Information
Country: Ottoman Empire (Turkey)
Type: Silver Liyakat Medal (Liyakat Madalyası)
Time Period: Pre-WWI, originally instituted in 1882 under Sultan Abdulhamid II
Material: Silver
Size: Diameter 25.26 mm full-size medal
Ribbon: Red ribbon with green stripes, representing the Ottoman Empire
Institution: Part of the Ottoman Imtiyaz Medal system, awarded for loyalty and bravery
The Silver Liyakat Medal was a distinguished Ottoman military decoration. It was awarded for exceptional service and bravery, often in military or civil capacities.
Design Features
Material & Finish:
Crafted in silver, with a detailed, high-relief design characteristic of Ottoman medals.
Aged patina may be present due to oxidation, enhancing its antique appeal.
Obverse:
Features the Ottoman military coat of arms, symbolizing the empire’s power.
Includes the tughra of Sultan Abdulhamid II at the top.
Reverse:
Inscribed in Ottoman Turkish, translating roughly to:
"Medal for Those That Have Shown Exceptional Loyalty and Bravery for the Ottoman Empire."
Below the inscription, a curved rectangular area is present, where recipient names could be engraved.
Date: 1300 AH (1882 AD), marking the medal’s institution year.
Ribbon & Suspension:
Traditional red ribbon with green stripes, signifying Ottoman heritage.
Additional ribbon clasp (bar) inscribed with "1333" (1915) and crossed sabers, indicating wartime merit.
 
Ribbon:
Original ribbon is intact, it significantly increases collectibility.
Historical and Collectible Significance
High-Prestige Ottoman Award:
One of the most important military honors of the Ottoman Empire.
Awarded During WWI:
Many recipients were Ottoman and allied officers during World War I, particularly from Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Bulgaria.
High-ranking recipients sometimes received engraved versions with their names in raised letters.
The Silver Liyakat Miniature Medal is a highly desirable Ottoman military decoration, valued for its historical importance, craftsmanship, and rarity. Whether awarded for pre-WWI service or during WWI, it remains a significant piece of Ottoman military history.