drclaw

Thanks Rick! This aligns perfectly with the period of issue for the First Type Double Dragon breast stars. Cheers!

Beautiful, these transitional First Type breast stars hardly ever appear in photographs. Glenn - would you know if Hoepfner served in China (Boxer Rebellion?) during 1896-1902? The period aligns nicely with the period of the First Type Double Dragon breast stars.

Extraordinarily rare and exquisite set. Shame about the missing presentation case ... and the price ...

Thanks for this Nick. Very rare to find a complete set with presentation case, ribbon and original rosette with the pearl centre.

I thought that $1 million was a lot of money for an "attributed to" Chiang Kai-shek medal. But I was wrong ... Awhile ago, I was looking at an unusual Temple of Azure Clouds (Biyun Temple) grand cordon set that a certain auction house asserted was "given to a French airforce lieutenant in China". I asked the auction house what documentary evidence they had to back their claim. Their response: "It was given to a French airforce lieutenant in China".

The Blue Sky and White Sun was described in the Spink catalogue as "attributed to" Chiang Kai-shek which I agree is an accurate description in the absence of better documentary evidence. I'd say the same description would apply to that service cap. The letter is simply "heresay" evidence (e.g. I heard it from a Third Party who said the hat is Chiang Kai-shek's). As for evidence that might prove something as "owned by" an individual, I'm thinking ... * original award certificate * offered by descendants or estate with strong corroborating evidence * original inventory manifest, e.g. an Allied officer recording to contents of Mussolini's palace listing his decorations * other documentary evidence placing a particular medal with a particular individual Any others?

Well, I have to eat my words ... http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20130708000094&cid=1303 Chiang Kai-shek's medal auctioned for almost US$1m An honorary medal awarded to the late Chiang Kai-shek, former president of the Republic of China (Taiwan), was sold to an overseas buyer by a Hong Kong-based auction house for US$928,500, reports our sister newspaper Want Daily. Created first in 1929, the Order of Blue Sky and White Sun is the second highest military award of the Republic of China, following the Order of National Glory. It is dedicated to soldiers for "outstanding contributions to national security under foreign invasion." As of 2013, there were 210 recipients of the medal by 2013. Among those recipients, four are from the United States, including General Joseph W Stillwell, Claire Lee Chennault, Albert C Wedemeyer and George C Marshall. In 1931, Chiang Kai-shek was awarded the Order of Blue Sky and White Sun for unifying China as the commander of the Northern Expedition Army. Originally, the Order of the Blue Sky and White Sun is marked with a number on the back, but this particular medal is without a number, instead replaced by the characters for "distinguished." The medal was put up for auction last year, but it went without bids after Taiwan's defense ministry questioned its authenticity. The Taiwanese authority believes that the medal was buried with Chiang Kai-shek after the late president passed away in 1975. Anna Lee, vice chairman of Spink China — the auction house responsible for selling the medal — stated that it was originally found in an antique store in Taipei. After being hired by Spink China to appraise the medal, Chuk Hong-ming, a Taiwanese historian, declared that it is indeed the real thing. As the author of a book about the medal, Chuk stated that the buyer made the right choice in spending nearly US$1 million to acquire the piece.Well, I have to eat my words ...

With the sharp rise in the prices of Chinese ODM in the past 8 years, many dealers are jumping on the bandwagon. Some of the prices they are demanding are however ludicrous. A certain Canadian dealer has a Second Type Third Class Double Dragon in the peculiar form of a breast star and with a coral centre stone. It is described as a Second Class. It's been listed on the website for years at an astronomical $15,000 and unable to sell. Recently it appeared at a US auction where it failed to sell (starting price $5400). You MIGHT think that the dealer might then drop his advertised price. Instead, it's now been INCREASED to $17,000

Indeed we can! The Order of Rank and Merit. But of course, the shape represents the Five Cardinal Points: North, South, East, West and Centre. Actually, I can imagine at least one warlord who might have given out medals in the shape of a cross - Feng Yuxiang, the Christian Warlord.

I agree with HC's #4. In addition, the wreath of leaves looks similar to the tung leaves of the Fourth and Fifth Class Order of Rank and Merit. There were hundreds of medals in the Warlord Era, not all of them documented. This might be one of those but identifying it could be almost impossible now.

Their US Military Order of the Dragon is an absolute bargain for only $12,500

It might be a typo - $ .... Even then ....

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. With perfect hindsight, I would have sold shares in 2007, sold gold in 2012, and stocked up on Chinese medals in 2000

I was surprised it went for that price but it does support the widespread perception that Manchukuo orders are Japanese, not Chinese. Imagine what a cased 2nd Class Golden Grain or Striped Tiger set would have sold for. Paul - well done on that 1st Type 3rd Class Double Dragon. 40,000 pounds must be a new record.

1st Class Auspicious Clouds currently on YJA. Superb! http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2013/post-11630-0-13061800-1372631749.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2013/post-11630-0-63809500-1372631774.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2013/post-11630-0-23992900-1372631822.jpg

I can understand that. These documents are even rarer than the actual medals ...

These were gorgeous and signed by President Xu Shichang, who was the longest serving President of the Warlord Period (10 October 1918 - 2 June 1922) and also the ONLY civilian President of the Early Republic excluding acting Presidents. I was watching these on YJA through a third party auction bid site but it deleted them without showing the final price. Did you see what they went for?

For shame. Just another reminder to only pay with Paypal or buy only through a reputable auction house. Back to the discussion on the Order .... The fact that the warlords themselves are photographed wearing the breast stars of BOTH the Golden Grain and the Precious Brilliant Golden Grain is further evidence that they were two separate Orders. While I've not been able to access the Precious Brilliant Golden Grain 1916 Decree, the 1912 Decree and Regulations (on the Golden Grain and the Grand Order) state that where a recipient later receives a higher award (of the Golden Grain), the insignia of the lower award must be returned to the Civil Service Bureau.

In his article titled "Orders of the Golden Grain and Precious Brilliant Golden Grain, Republic of China (1912-1928), published in the Journal of the Orders and Medals Society of America (May-June 2002), King Kwok gives the example of Wang Chih Chang who according to the Biographies of Prominent Chinese (Shanghai, around 1925) received the Second Class Precious Brilliant Golden Grain sash set in 1921, followed by the Second Class Golden Grain sash set in 1922. King writes: "According to the established belief, the OPBGG should be higher than the OGG in the sequence/hierarchy of wearing, beacuse the OPBGG contains the more precious rubies and pearls. However , the fact that Wang Chih Chang received the Second Class Sash Set of the OGG after his award of the Second Class Sash Set of the OPBGG contradicts this commonly accepted view. The two Orders should therefore be considered as totally separate orders. Indeed, it is doubtful whether there was a well-established sequence/hierarchy of wearing for various medals, decorations and orders awarded in China between 1912 and 1928. The photographs of different Chinese military or civil figures reveal that the sequence/hierarchy of wearing might be a matter of personal preference."

Very nice! This is one of my favourite decorations so thanks for posting. The damaged pearls should not be too difficult to replace either with sea/freshwater pearls or pearlescent beads. From the information I have been able to source, the Order was founded by President Li Yuanhong on 7 October 1916 in five classes (or six grades): 1) First Class Grand Cordon - breast star and sash badge 2) Second Class Grand Cordon - breast star and sash badge 3) Second Class breast star 4) Third Class - neck badge 5) Fourth Class - breast ribbon 6) Fifth Class - breast ribbon Some Chinese sources say it was awarded to senior military and political leaders to commemorate their contributions during the 1911 Revolution with the level of award dependent on their status or rank. However, it was also awarded to foreigners and perhaps to Chinese citizens who might have had nothing to do with the 1911 Revolution. Sir John Jordan received the First Class and his insignia was sold by Spink in April 2011. According to the London Gazette dated 5 October 1920, he received the award: “On the occasion of his retirement from the post of His Majesty’s Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Peking, and from His Majesty’s Diplomatic Service.” Jordan was British Minister in Beijing from 28 November 1910 to 1 March 1920, a period which included the 1911 Revolution. It appears that the Central Mint in Tianjin was the exclusive manufacturer of this, and the Order of the Golden Grain, although not all insignia bear the Central Mint's name stamp (for example your breast star above is stamped with the name of the Order only). Are there any other markings e.g. on the suspension pin hook? I have a copy of the 1921-2 China Year Book (Tientsin Press, 1921). Interestingly, the section on Chinese orders and decorations (page 969) describes the Precious Brilliant Golden Grain as part of the Order of the Golden Grain (Jiahe Zhang) and NOT a separate award: "The Chia-ho Decoration is, however, full of variety, for the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Chia-ho Decorations are sub-divided into those which carry the Pao-kuang ({ao means "Precious" and Kuang means "brilliance") and those without it. And although both the First and Second Classes of Chia-ho and Wen-hu Decorations carry the Ta-shou (which means the Great Sash), the Second Class Chia-ho Decoration is given sometimes without the sash. A Chia-ho Decoration which carries both the Ta-Shou and the Pao-Kuang is higher than the one without either Ta-Shou or Pao-Kuang or both. So, the highest Chia-ho Decoration is the First Class Ta-Shou Pao-kuang Chia-ho Decoration or the First Class Golden Crop Decoration with Precious Brilliance and the Great Sash. The following is the full list: - I. First Class Chia-ho Decoration. (This is divided into two grades, the one with the Pao-kuang and the other without. But generally the Great Sash is given with the decoration). II. Second Class Chia-ho Decoration. (This is divided into four grades (a) one that carries both Brilliance and Sash, (b) one that carries Brilliance without the Sash, © one that carries the Sash without Brilliance and (d) one devoid of both the Sash and Brilliance). III. Third Class Chia-ho Decoration. (This is divided into two grades namely the one with Brilliance and the other without it.) IV. Fourth Class Chia-ho Decoration. (Same as the Third Class). V. Fifth Class Chia-ho Decoration. (Same as the Third Class). VI. Sixth Class Chia-ho Decoration. (There is only one grade and no other classification). VII. Seventh Class Chia-ho Decoration. (Same as the Sixth Class). VIII. Eighth Class Chia-ho Decoration. (Same as the Sixth Class). IX. Ninth Class Chia-ho Decoration. (Same as above)." Would you have any other information to share on the Order? I've been trying to track down the original Decree from 1916 but have been unsuccessful.

Ah, my mistake, I added an extra zero in converting ... A steal at that price

Wow, I was tipping maybe USD 3000. This is more than three times my estimate. But shouldn't be surprised given its beauty and rarity.

Nick, thanks for a fascinating thread. I was browsing both Peterson's book and Rich's superb website (http://www.imperialjapanmedalsandbadges.com/sitemap.html). Rich succinctly summarises: "However, soon after the war ended in defeat and the struck medals (about 10,000 according to Peterson) were destroyed by the American occupying forces. Before this, according to Peterson, a few posthumous awards were made, so a few original medals exist. A history of the Japan Mint (published in 1965 by the Japan Mint and authorized by the Ministry of Finance) states that although some medals were minted, none were awarded. The latter seems like a reliable source, so we can assume that there were no cases nor medal award documents made." Do you know of any original medals or could we rely on the Japan Mint that none were in fact awarded? Of course, there's always the possibility of US occupying soldiers pocketing a couple as souvenirs as they went about destroying 10,000 medals ...

Two Australian VCs sold at auction were at the AUD 1 million mark, not including buyer's premium. The Aussie dollar has been bouncing around USD parity. 2011 - WW2 VC to Private Ted McKenna, New Guinea. Winning bid $1,002,000. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-28/vc-fetches-2412-million-at-auction/2814610 2006 - WW1 VC to Captain Shout, Gallipoli. Winning bid $1 million. Fortunately, the medal was donated to the Australian War Museum by the buyer. http://anzac.homestead.com/captainshoutVC.html Nick - maybe we need a separate thread on the world's most expensive medals sold

Something that failed to sell at auction last year because of doubts as to its authenticity has now TRIPLED in estimate from USD 387,000-645,000 to $1-1.3 million.