Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
August 2015 Hong Kong Auction - Sess. A-D 24-26 August 2015
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CHINA. Tientsin Tutung Yamen Gold Medal, 1902. PCGS Genuine--Damage, AU Details Secure Holder.
49.71 mm. L&M-1108; Li-pg. 90 (plate medal). By J. Chevt and struck by TENSHODO. VERY RARE gold medal struck by the seven member provisional military government which controlled Tientsin ca. 1900-02. The obverse records this provisional government with a legend in French around enamel flags of Germany, United States, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Japan and Russia with the dates of its existence below; Reverse: Two line inscription within wreath of oak and laurel. Having been seized by the Boxers in June of 1900 Tientsin was recaptured by forces of the Eight Nation Alliance (the seven countries listed above as well as Austria-Hungary) on July 14th with the provisional government being formed shortly thereafter on July 30th. For the next two-years this provisional government oversaw military control of Tientsin and its surrounding areas. Beginning in late Spring of 1902 meetings with Governor Yuan Shih-kai of Chihli started the process of returning control of the city back to the Qing government with Tientsin Tutung Yamen ceasing existence on August 15th. While it was struck in both silver and gold it is believed that the gold versions were only presented to the foreign dignitaries of the provisional government. It is speculated that only two of these gold medals are known today, however neither this example nor a different piece recently brought to auction match the specimen plated in L&M which may indicate a third example. Regardless of the surviving number this medal is of massive historical importance, clearly representing an international effort to stabilize the rapidly deteriorating control of the Qing dynasty. Though given a details grade by PCGS due to a moderate rim bump and resulting abrasion on the reverse at 12 o'clock the medal is a handsome example, gracefully showing its age with lovely orange toning around the devices and fully intact enamel on the seven nation flags. PCGS Genuine--Damage, AU Details Secure Holder.
Estimate: $25000.00- $35000.00
49.71 mm. L&M-1108; Li-pg. 90 (plate medal). By J. Chevt and struck by TENSHODO. VERY RARE gold medal struck by the seven member provisional military government which controlled Tientsin ca. 1900-02. The obverse records this provisional government with a legend in French around enamel flags of Germany, United States, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Japan and Russia with the dates of its existence below; Reverse: Two line inscription within wreath of oak and laurel. Having been seized by the Boxers in June of 1900 Tientsin was recaptured by forces of the Eight Nation Alliance (the seven countries listed above as well as Austria-Hungary) on July 14th with the provisional government being formed shortly thereafter on July 30th. For the next two-years this provisional government oversaw military control of Tientsin and its surrounding areas. Beginning in late Spring of 1902 meetings with Governor Yuan Shih-kai of Chihli started the process of returning control of the city back to the Qing government with Tientsin Tutung Yamen ceasing existence on August 15th. While it was struck in both silver and gold it is believed that the gold versions were only presented to the foreign dignitaries of the provisional government. It is speculated that only two of these gold medals are known today, however neither this example nor a different piece recently brought to auction match the specimen plated in L&M which may indicate a third example. Regardless of the surviving number this medal is of massive historical importance, clearly representing an international effort to stabilize the rapidly deteriorating control of the Qing dynasty. Though given a details grade by PCGS due to a moderate rim bump and resulting abrasion on the reverse at 12 o'clock the medal is a handsome example, gracefully showing its age with lovely orange toning around the devices and fully intact enamel on the seven nation flags. PCGS Genuine--Damage, AU Details Secure Holder.
Estimate: $25000.00- $35000.00