Turkish liras

Turkish liras from the belt worn by Pavlos Melas (1870-1904) on the day of his death. Pavlos Melas was one of the officers sent by the Greek government in early 1904 to organise the Macedonian Struggle. On 13 October 1904 he was cut off by a Turkish detachment at Siatista, where, during the exchange of gunfire, he was mortally wounded. His heroic death shook public opinion and prompted many officers to take part in the Struggle. Diam. 0.23 m. (ΓΕ 8339)