The Order of the Medjidie (or Mecidiye Nişanı in Turkish) is a military and knightly order of the Ottoman Empire instituted in 1851 by Sultan Abdülmecid I. It was given as a reward for distinguished service to members of the British Army and the Royal Navy and the French Army who came to the aid of the Ottoman Empire during the Crimean War against Russia.
The Order was issued in considerable numbers and awarded in five classes, with the First Class being the highest. It was usually conferred on officers although there have been cases of a few enlisted soldiers receiving it as well, and during World War I it was also awarded to a number of German and Austrian officers.
Among notable recipients are Napoleon III Emperor of France and Pedro II of Brazil Emperor of Brazil.
Owners of the order:
- First Class Order – 50 people (Given by Sultan)
- Second Class Order – 150 people (Given by Sultan)
- Third Class Order – 800 people
- Fourth Class Order – 3,000 people
- Fifth Class Order – 6,000 people
The Order of the Medjidie Design
On the obverse of the star is Sultan Abdul Mejid’s royal cipher measuring 75.3 mm and surrounded by an inscription on a gold-bordered circle of red enamel. The star has seven triple quills with small crescents and five-pointed stars between them, suspended from a red enameled crescent and star suspender with green enameled edges.
First, second, third and fourth classes are gold. Fifth (lower) class is silver.
