Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
April 2016 Hong Kong Auction - Sess. A-C 5-6 April 2016
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CHINA. Tientsin Tutung Yamen Gold Medal, 1902. PCGS MS-64 Secure Holder.
L&M-1108; Li-pg. 90. By J. Chevt and struck by TENSHODO. VERY RARE gold medal struck by the seven member provisional military government which controlled Tientsin circa. 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. Meetings with then Governor Yuan Shih-kai of Chihli in the late spring of 1902, commenced the process of returning the city back to Qing government control, with Tientsin Tutung Yamen ceasing to exist on August 15th. While it was struck in both silver and gold it is believed the gold versions were only presented to the foreign dignitaries of the provisional government. A medal of massive historical importance, clearly representing an international effort to stabilize the rapidly deteriorating control of the Qing dynasty. Only a small number of these gold medals are extant today, with most other examples impaired in some capacity. The piece presented here is an absolutely stunning example, with beautiful luster, pristine enamel on the nation's flags and choice honeycomb gold coloration; truly a world class example by any measure. Vastly superior to the plate coin in Gongqing Li's seminal Qing Dynasty Medals, and worthy of inclusion in the most advanced collection. PCGS MS-64 Secure Holder.
Estimate: $30000.00- $40000.00
L&M-1108; Li-pg. 90. By J. Chevt and struck by TENSHODO. VERY RARE gold medal struck by the seven member provisional military government which controlled Tientsin circa. 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. Meetings with then Governor Yuan Shih-kai of Chihli in the late spring of 1902, commenced the process of returning the city back to Qing government control, with Tientsin Tutung Yamen ceasing to exist on August 15th. While it was struck in both silver and gold it is believed the gold versions were only presented to the foreign dignitaries of the provisional government. A medal of massive historical importance, clearly representing an international effort to stabilize the rapidly deteriorating control of the Qing dynasty. Only a small number of these gold medals are extant today, with most other examples impaired in some capacity. The piece presented here is an absolutely stunning example, with beautiful luster, pristine enamel on the nation's flags and choice honeycomb gold coloration; truly a world class example by any measure. Vastly superior to the plate coin in Gongqing Li's seminal Qing Dynasty Medals, and worthy of inclusion in the most advanced collection. PCGS MS-64 Secure Holder.
Estimate: $30000.00- $40000.00