Foreign Coins and Medals, China/Germany, Li Huang Chang (1823–1901), official visit to Hamburg, silvered-bronze medal, 1896, facing bust wearing large hat, legend in Chinese around, rev. LI HUNG CHANG – BESUCH HAMBURG IM JUNI 1896, arms of Hamburg with lion supporters, 40mm. (L&M.935; Wurz.5175), certified and graded by NGC as Mint State 64
Li Huang Chang (Li Hongzhang) a Chinese politician, general and diplomat, served in important positions in the Qing imperial court. His military mistakes included support of Russia against the Japanese, but he was praised for his success in quelling the Taiping Rebellion. He was very much a pioneer of China's military and industrial modernisation. He toured Canada, the USA and the West in 1896, attending the coronation of Nicholas II, and in England attended the Royal Naval Fleet Review at Spithead. His efforts in resolving the Boxer Rebellion proved to be his final diplomatic mission. (5000-6000 GBP)