- Time Period: Pre-WW1
- Year of Institution: 1854
- Country: Great Britain, Turkey
The Turkish Medal for the Defense of Silistria was instituted by the Sultan of Turkey in 1854 and awarded to officers and men of British forces who were present during the actual siege of Silistria by 30,000 Russian troops. Only seven British officers were there at the time and qualified for the medal – although the medal was issued unnamed.
The Siege of Silistria took place during the Crimean War. Russian forces besieged the Ottoman fortress of Silistria and, while initially successful, the Russians were forced after several weeks to abandon the siege and retreat due to political pressure.
The Turkish Medal for the Defense of Silistria Design
The medal is circular and struck in gold or silver. It measures 36 mm in diameter.
The obverse shows the tughra (cipher) of Sultân Abdül-Mejîd I in a wreath. The reverse bears a flag flying from the ramparts. The river Danube is depicted in the foreground, and an inscription in Turkish reads: “Silistria 1271 AH (1854)”.
The medal is pierced for ribbon suspension with a ring and flat suspension bar.
The ribbon is crimson with green edges.
