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NYINC Signature Sale 3106 17-18 Jan 2023
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Great Britain
temp. Victoria gold "First Opium War - Captured Bullion" Medal 1842-Dated UNC Details (Cleaned) NGC, BHM-2070 (R4). 16mm. From an extremely rare and historically important issue, this Medal is a true testimony from the Opium War. For centuries, European trade with China was essentially a one-way acquisition of goods by the former--such as porcelain and spices--from Chinese merchants; an exchange-balance that completely changed when the British introduced and massively supplied Chinese markets with opium. The addictive substance led China to the verge of societal collapse, forcing the Qing to ban it and confiscate the stocks. British merchants revolted against such imposition and the two nations ended up in war. After the brutal defeat of the Qing armies--which had substantially outdated war gear--the period known as the "Century of Humiliation" began, set by the Treaty of Nanjing. The Chinese were forced to cede Hong Kong and pay an indemnity of 21 million Dollars. Such an enormous amount of Sycee ingots was paid to the British that, when processed at the Royal mint, enough gold was extracted to permit the striking of these fleeting medals.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-temp-victoria-gold-first-opium-war-captured-bullion-medal-1842-dated-unc-details-cleaned-ngc-/a/3106-33770.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3106-01172023
HID02906262019
© 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
temp. Victoria gold "First Opium War - Captured Bullion" Medal 1842-Dated UNC Details (Cleaned) NGC, BHM-2070 (R4). 16mm. From an extremely rare and historically important issue, this Medal is a true testimony from the Opium War. For centuries, European trade with China was essentially a one-way acquisition of goods by the former--such as porcelain and spices--from Chinese merchants; an exchange-balance that completely changed when the British introduced and massively supplied Chinese markets with opium. The addictive substance led China to the verge of societal collapse, forcing the Qing to ban it and confiscate the stocks. British merchants revolted against such imposition and the two nations ended up in war. After the brutal defeat of the Qing armies--which had substantially outdated war gear--the period known as the "Century of Humiliation" began, set by the Treaty of Nanjing. The Chinese were forced to cede Hong Kong and pay an indemnity of 21 million Dollars. Such an enormous amount of Sycee ingots was paid to the British that, when processed at the Royal mint, enough gold was extracted to permit the striking of these fleeting medals.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-temp-victoria-gold-first-opium-war-captured-bullion-medal-1842-dated-unc-details-cleaned-ngc-/a/3106-33770.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3106-01172023
HID02906262019
© 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved