Hello,

I hope someone can advise me about the medal posted at

http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/islamic_coins/vwp?.dir=/&.src=gr&.dnm=T
unisia+medal.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/islami
c_coins/lst%3f%26.dir=/%26.src=gr%26.view=t

This is a gold or gold-plated medal depicting Ahmad Pasha Bey, the Bey of
Tunis 1837-55. The Arabic is quite good and well-designed. On the obverse
and reverse is the name of the medallist, Feart, in small letters, and also
in small Arabic letters, `amalahu fiyaar, "Fiyar [=Feart] made it." This
would be Adrien Feart, who is in Forrer's Biographical Dictionary of
Medallists, born 1813, died after 1977. This medal is not listed among his
works.

The medal has a date written in small Arabic letters, Dhu'l-Hijja 1262
(October-November 1847). Ahmad is stated to have been in Europe at this
time. On the medal, he wears European military dress, with several
decorations and a sash across his shoulder, and epaulets. He has a fez
with a tremendous tassel and a fine beard.

The image can be viewed only by members of the Yahoo! Islamic Coins Group,
but it is not hard to join. If anyone would like, I can e-mail the image
directly, or post it elsewhere. If there are any questions about the piece,
I'll try to answer.

Michael Bates
bates@...