Can any one help ID this Arab medal ? thank you !

[arrestanddevelopment]

...no idea can anyone give a positive ID on this medal ..thanks Steve

[Dave Danner]

It appears to be some sort of commemorative medal for Sheikh Zayid bin Sultan An-Nahyan, the founder of the United Arab Emirates. On the blank side, it says on the top "In memory of" or "Commemorative of", and on the bottom "United Arab Emirates". On the side with the bust, it says Sheikh Zayid bin Sultan An-Nahyan on the top (there is a word before Sheikh I can't make out, though) and on the bottom again "United Arab Emirates" (there is another partially worn-out word before Dawlah I can't make out).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zayed_bin_Sultan_Al_Nahyan

[oamotme]

Steve,

This is the medal issued by the United Arab Emirates in 1972 to commemorate the First Anniversary of the Establishment of the UAE.

The obverse inscription reads, "His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan President of the State of the United Arab Emirates". The reverse reads, "To Commemorate the establishment of the United Arab Emirates".

Until some 5 years ago I did not know this medal existed and indeed no mention is made of the medal in any of the UAE medal ordinances. I obtained my exmple from the UAE and it appears that whilst the medal was manufactured and despatched to the UAE it was not awarded.

The ribbon a combination of seven equal stripes of red, white, green, white, black, white and red and is sometimes available on E-bay from a British seller. As he sourced the ribbon in the UK it is more than likely that the medal was manufactured in the UK - it may well be by Spink who manufactured most of the medals of this period for the region but I have no firm evidence to support this supposition.

Kind regards,

Owain

[paul wood]

Thanks Owain that one had me stumped.

Paul

[heusy68]

Hello Paul & Owain,

This is how it shall look like when hung from its ribbon. Owain knows more than I the historical background, but this medal is among the official awards of the UAE (picture from their military awards book).

Regards.

Emmanuel

[oamotme]

As Emmanuel notes it is in the book but the Museum has been unable to locate any ordinances instituting the award or anyone who received the award - nonetheless a scarce item. Regards, Owain,

[arrestanddevelopment]

Hi all,

Thank you all for your interest and help !! lovely to know about it and what exactly it is ...can anyone hassard a guess on its value ?? as it really is not in my collecting theme ..many thanks Steve

[oamotme]

Steve, I suspect its scarcity will not have a great impact on its value as there are not may collectors of such awards - I think I have mine insured for $100. Regards, Owain