Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
Collector's Choice December 2021 Auction 30 Nov - 3 Dec 2021
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GREAT BRITAIN. China - Great Britain. First Opium War/Victoria Bronze Medal Trial, 1842. London Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-64.
BHM-Unlisted; Eimer-Unlisted; cf. Barac-72 (in silver and with clasp) & cf. Barac-97 (same; for Second Opium War); cf. Gordon-50 (in silver and with clasp) & cf. Gordon-59 (same; for Second Opium War). Dated variety. By W. Wyon. Diameter: 36mm. Obverse: Diademed head of Victoria left; Reverse: ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACEM (seeking peace through might), oval shield in front of pile of military implements and musical instruments; palm tree in background; CHINA on tablet in exergue. Edge: Plain. The variant with the date in the reverse exergue, this glistening near-Gem dazzles with deep chocolate brown surfaces that offers hints of cobalt and olive, all while a lustrous sheen, especially noticeable on the obverse, entertains the eye with seemingly unending appeal. VERY RARE and undoubtedly destined for a fabled cabinet of Chinese medals and militaria. Compare to a similar example, a PCGS SPECIMEN-66 in our September 2021 Hong Kong auction (lot # 21606), which realized a total of $40,800.
BHM-Unlisted; Eimer-Unlisted; cf. Barac-72 (in silver and with clasp) & cf. Barac-97 (same; for Second Opium War); cf. Gordon-50 (in silver and with clasp) & cf. Gordon-59 (same; for Second Opium War). Dated variety. By W. Wyon. Diameter: 36mm. Obverse: Diademed head of Victoria left; Reverse: ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACEM (seeking peace through might), oval shield in front of pile of military implements and musical instruments; palm tree in background; CHINA on tablet in exergue. Edge: Plain. The variant with the date in the reverse exergue, this glistening near-Gem dazzles with deep chocolate brown surfaces that offers hints of cobalt and olive, all while a lustrous sheen, especially noticeable on the obverse, entertains the eye with seemingly unending appeal. VERY RARE and undoubtedly destined for a fabled cabinet of Chinese medals and militaria. Compare to a similar example, a PCGS SPECIMEN-66 in our September 2021 Hong Kong auction (lot # 21606), which realized a total of $40,800.
The treaty had the effect of creating the island of Hong Kong as a Crown Colony to the British Empire "for a lengthy period of time." This particular medal. Carrying the same design as a silver campaign order from 1842, this medal appears to be an exceptionally rare trial strike of the medal awards for decoration during the Opium Wars. The originally designed medal by Wyon was rejected for being too insensitive, and this replacement design is incredibly difficult to find as a specimen bronze strike.
Ex: Bayard Family.
Estimate: $3000 - $5000