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Auction: 14006 - Ancient, British and Foreign Coins and Commemorative Medals
Lot: 1215

Turkey, Anonymous (c. early 19th century), AV Medallion, 4.55g, bust of female left, wearing traditional Turkish attire, within wave-patterned border, rev. crescent-moon and star with similar border decoration, pierced, extremely fine and unusual

There is a possibility that this medal depicts Aimee Debucq de Rivery (Nakshidil Sultana), a favourite of the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid I. A native french-woman and cousin of Empress Josephine, she was captured from Martinique in 1784 and presented to the Sultan for his harem. She remained at court during the time of Selim III, where she popularised French culture, teaching the language and decorating areas of the palace in a French style.
Legends persist that her son, Mahmud, became the next Sultan, helped, no doubt, by the many historical novels that were written about her life. It is known that Mahmud II's mother was called Nakshidil Sultana and favoured French culture, to the extent of establishing a Turkish embassy in France . As all women entering the harem were given Turkish names, Nakshidil could have been the name that Aimee was known by in later life, but this is by no means certain.
However, it seems that she (or at least her legend) is the most likely candidate for the subject of this medallion. Linked, as it is, by the style of its border decoration to several coin types of Mahmud II.

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Sold for
£800