Spain, Kingdom. A Military Medal for Morocco 1916

(Medalla militar de Marruecos). Instituted in 1916. 3 Clasps - MELLILA, TETUAN, LARACHE. In silver, measuring 28.5 mm (w) x 51.5 mm (h), light contact, three clasps affixed to its lightly soiled original ribbon, better than very fine.

Footnote: The medal was created on June 29, 1916 and awarded for meritorious service in Morocco from that date. Melilla on the North African coast had been Spanish since 1497 and Ceuta since 1668 but it was not until the early Twentieth Century that the Spanish began to expand into the interior, meeting stiff opposition from the Berbers, which continued until the major Franco-Spanish expedition of 1925-1927 finally crushed resistance.