Turkey, Ottoman Empire. A Crete Medal (Medal of Atik Girit)

(Atik Girid Madalyasi). Instituted in 1868. In silver, Hijri calendar dated "١٢٨٥" (1285 = 1868-1869 on the Gregorian calendar) on the reverse, measuring 36.7 mm in diameter, bruised, edge nicks, contact marks, on incorrect replacement ribbon, near very fine.

Footnote: The Crete Medal (AKA Medal of Atik Girit) was instituted in 1868 and awarded to the soldiers who fought on the island of Crete. The island was part of the Ottoman Empire in 1866, however, a group of Greeks led by Haci Mihail started an uprising and declared Crete as Greek territory. The Ottomans sent Ali Pasha to contain the rebellion and to eliminate a possible future intervention by another foreign power. Following the uprising, new laws and regulations were enacted for Greeks and Ottomans, to share power on the island of Crete.