VIETNAM (SOUTH): kim khanh medal (73.78g), ND (1957-1963), Sylvester & Foster-43, 75 x 42mm, Order of Kim Khanh 2nd Class, made with gilt bronze, five stalks of bamboo in center, a scholar's scroll behind stretched across the field, the two ends coiled around an ink brush & a sword, framed by two dragons among clouds, attached at top with pink cord, and at bottom with beautiful coral beads, strung together with gold thread into a kim khanh-shaped pendant and four braids that descend into numerous strings of colorful beads ending in white tassels, in original presentation case with the emblem of the Republic of Vietnam, Unc, RRR  

CORRECTION: In the printed catalog we called this solid gold. It is actually gilt bronze.

CORRECTION: A small number of pieces that we called ex John Sylvester Collection were not from his collection. This lot is actually ex Fred Rockwood; ex Barry Weaver

Khanh, which means a ceremonial gong of pleasing sound, was the most prestigious award during Nguyen Dynasty. It was redesigned and resurrected in four classes under President Ngo Dinh Diem in 1957 as the second-ranking civilian decoration, awarded to Vietnamese citizens and foreign personalities of exceptional achievements. All four classes of this order are extremely rare, and we cannot find another example in any auction records.

Estimate: 8,000-10,000 USD