yemen medal - for what? please help

[vorbeste]

hi, i bought today this medal from yemen in original box. the writing is " abyan gov(ernatore), r.d.r. of yemen"

what is this for medal? is in red velvet box.

thanks for the help!

Edited January 28, 2010 by vorbeste

[vorbeste]

the front

[vorbeste]

the box

[oamotme]

Dear Vorbeste,

Following the departure of the colonial power a major pre-occupation of the new rulers of South Yemen was the removal of all traces of the colonial rule and the historic structure it had supported. Thus all federal rulers were deposed and their land and property confiscated. The former protectorate states were re-grouped into six numbered governates: 1^st Aden, 2^nd Lahej, 3^rd Abyan, 4^th Shabwa, 5^th Hadhramaut and 6^th Al Mahra. It appears that at least three of these governates, Abyan, Shabwa and Hadhramaut issued medals and it is possible that all six did but evidence for the others is not known. Your medal is the Abyan issue:

Obverse A circular medal bearing a shield with a border in the colours of the flag of the P.D.R.Y. and at the bottom of the border the bilingual inscription “Abyan Gov.” In the centre a design consisting of mountains, coffee and sea flanked by foliage. On either side of the shield the bilingual inscription, “P.D.R. Yemen”.

Reverse Blank other than the circular bilingual inscription, “People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen”

I hope this helps, Regards, Owain