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Khedive's Egyptian Star (Tokar 1891): CM.1293-2009

An image of Khedive's Egyptian Star (Tokar 1891)
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An image of Khedive's Egyptian Star (Tokar 1891)
Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Mint: Birmingham
Ruler: Tawfiq (1879-92)
State: Egypt
Ruler: Victoria (1837-1901) (Inferred)
Ruler: TM (With the title of)

Entities

Categories

Description

Most of the battles in the final years of British influence in Egypt were rewarded with issues of the Egyptian Medal, but the Egyptian Khedive Tewfik Pasha showed his gratitude for British help with issues of his own bronze star for the campaigns in his kingdom.
One of these, the siege and capture of the Mahdist stronghold of Tokar in the Sudan, was unusual in that no British award was made for it, although the Khedive's Star could be worn in uniform. Tokar had since 1883 been the seat of the Beja leader Usman Dinga, and the 1891 campaign resulted in his briefly being captured.
Those who had already been awarded a Khedive's Star for earlier Egyptian campaigns were awarded only the bar for the Tokar campaign; issues of new undated stars with this bar are comparatively rare, therefore, as they went only to the newest soldiers in the forces involved. One such must have received this medal, but as it is unnamed, we do not know who he was. Lester Watson acquired the medal at some point before 1928.

Notes

History note: Gift of L. Hoyt Watson; ex Lester Watson Collection, acquired before 1928

Legal notes

Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 47 mm
Weight: 49.16 g

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (2009) by Watson, Lester

Dating

Production date: AD 1893

Materials used in production

Bronze

Techniques used in production

Struck

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Sphynx facing with three pyramids behind in circle, on downward five-pointed star with milled edges, suspended from bar with wheat-ear ornament and upturned crescent around star as device of suspender

  • Text: EGYPT
  • Location: Obverse
  • Type: Design

Inscription present: Monogram inscription surmounted by crown all in circle

  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1293-2009
Primary reference Number: 141387
Watson Catalogue: 196
Ordering: M-0176
Previous object number: LW.0176

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 29 April 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Coins and Medals

Citation for print

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The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Khedive's Egyptian Star (Tokar 1891)" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141387 Accessed: 2025-12-05 13:01:42

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141387 |title=Khedive's Egyptian Star (Tokar 1891) |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 13:01:42|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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