Crescent

Crescent, a decoration, sometimes called order of, in Turkey. In 1799, after the battle of Aboukir, the Sultan Selim III. testified his gratitude to Nelson by sending him a crescent richly adorned with diamonds. It was not intended as an order, but Nelson wore it on his coat; and Selim, flattered by the value attached to his gift, resolved that a similar decoration should be conferred on foreigners who have done service to the state. There was an old Order of the Crescent, instituted by René, Duke of Anjou, in 1464.