The Gold Medal of Haile Selassie I was created by Emperor Haile Selassie I to provide a (then) current senior decoration of the same rank as the Gold Medal of Menelik II. The Gold Medal was listed as a current decoration in 1936.1Zervos. A. Op Cit.. It was awarded sparingly, however. For example, it was awarded to the first Duke of Harar, who was extremely active in military operations against the Italian invaders (1935-1941), but the same medal was not given to his older brother, Crown Prince Asfa Wossen, who was also active in this campaign.
