Warlord Award from 1916: Cai E victory award

[JapanX]

This very interesting and practically unknown award was issued in 1916 to commemorate victory of National Protection Army (created by Cai E and Tang Jilyo) over Yuan Shikai forces.

This medal was issued in two variants: in bronze and in silver (white alloy?).

Medal has several classes marked by stars on the rays.

Lower class (?) has 1 star. Higher class (?) has 8 stars.

Let`s take a look at available specimens.

[JapanX]

1 star badge in bronze (wrong, replaced ribbon)

[JapanX]

1 star badge in bronze (wrong (?) ribbon)

[JapanX]

1 star badge in silver (wrong (?) ribbon)

Obverse/Reverse

[JapanX]

Another beatifully preserved 1 star badge in bronze

Edited May 14, 2012 by JapanX

[JapanX]

It looks like Cai E in central medallion ;)

[JapanX]

Another 1 star badge in silver with correct ribbon

[JapanX]

4 star badge in bronze with correct ribbon

[JapanX]

4 star badge in bronze with correct ribbon

[JapanX]

8 star badge in bronze

[JapanX]

I think this award is close relative of this one http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/44138-mystery-warlord-breast-star/

Cheers,

Nick

[JapanX]

And another two exellent specimens with original ribbons.

Both made in bronze.

Interesting that this medal sometimes described (by the obverse inscription?) as "Yunan Province National Repubublic Support Medal"

4 star badge in bronze with correct ribbon

[JapanX]

8 star badge in bronze with correct ribbon

[JapanX]

And of course there are fakes ...