China unknown Chinese ? medal, please help

[dedehansen]

Hi Gents,

please help me with unknown medal on a german medal bar.

Regards

Andreas

[JapanX]

Looks like a very interesting medal bar you have there, Andreas

This is so called Berlin Legation medal

[JapanX]

A little extract about this medal from "Two Imperial Chinese Legation Medals" by Jeffrey Jacob, OMRS Journal, September 2005

"In Europe, the Chinese diplomatic representatives soon realised they needed some kind of award they could present to deserving foreigners for services to the Chinese Empire and often for services rendered to the Legation itself. They could recommend the award of the Imperial Order of the Double Dragon (established in 1882 in five classes, with the higher three classes subdivided into three grades each, for foreigners only), but communication was slow, their advice was not always acted upon, and even when the Order was awarded, it is noticeable that only the higher three classes seem to have been given. So at some time (exact data is lacking) the Imperial Government must have authorised each major Legation to institute and award their own mdals. I suspect the Double Dragon was awarded to the more important military and government officials, while these medals were given to lesser officials and junior military personnel.

Medal of Legation in Berlin. The medal came in two classes (gold - which is to say, gold-plated silver - and silver) and measures 42mm in diameter, not counting the 7mm loop above. The obverse has the Imperial Dragon and much decorative work, the reverse simply has '1st Class' or '2nd Class' in Chinese characters. The 1st Class weighs 16 dwt (penny weight) and the 2nd, which is slightly thinner, weighs 13 dwt. They were struck by different dies, and there are minor differences in the design. They were made to be worn as the recipient wished, and as can be seen, mine is mounted German-style, on the 'Cornflower blue' ribbon of the Order of the Crown of Prussia. Another 1st Class I once saw was worn attached to a five-link chain, which in turn hung from a yellow light-weight moire ribbon. "

[dedehansen]

Looks like a very interesting medal bar you have there, Andreas

This is so called Berlin Legation medal

а.jpg

Thnk´s Nick, I appreciate your help very much.

Unfortunately the medal bar is not yet mine. It was offered to me

and I have to make an offer.

I´ve never seen this medal before. Do you know a realistic price ?

Regards

Andreas

[JapanX]

Andreas, last prices I have for you will be from April 3, 2014

This piece went for $1400

[JapanX]

and this for $1100

[JapanX]

These are Hong Kong prices.

German market usually is less enthusiastic toward chinese awards.

At least I hope it will be in case of this bar

Hope the price for this rare and interesting set will be acceptable and you will get it in your collection!

Best,

Nick

[dedehansen]

Hj Nick,

sorry for responding so late, but I had to wait for a photo of the back.

It seemed to be gold from the front from the back it´s silver.

The Chinese character is different to the shown one. My question is this the 2nd class ?

Regards

Andreas

[JapanX]

Hi Andreas!

Yours is 2nd class = silver

This is 1st class = gold (usually looks like bronze )

Best regards,

Nick

Edited August 19, 2014 by JapanX

[JapanX]

It seemed to be gold from the front from the back it´s silver.

This is because these medals (at least some of them or even all (?)) were struck in bronze and then were silvered or gilded.

Best,

Nick

[Claudius]

Hi Andreas!

Yours is 2nd class = silver

post-12136-0-97255400-1408459053.jpg

This is 1st class = gold (usually looks like bronze )

post-6141-0-83183100-1407076104.jpg

Best regards,

Nick

Thank you Nick again, for informing me on these subtle and interest details regarding this medal.

What an interesting medal bar this must be!

Edited August 19, 2014 by Claudius

[dedehansen]

Thanks Nick,

for your explanation. I think the medal is from silver of lesser alloy and

the front is coated with a patina.

Now I have only to contract with him.

Kind regards

Andreas

[dedehansen]

Hi Claudius,

if it will be mine, I will post it as soon as possible.

Kind regards

Andreas

[JapanX]

I think the medal is from silver of lesser alloy and the front is coated with a patina.

It certainly will be very interesting to find out what it is made off, because I always suspect that these medals (at least some of them) were struck in bronze (as I said earlier).

if it will be mine, I will post it as soon as possible.

Good luck!

Best,

Nick

[dedehansen]

Good luck!

Best,

Nick

Hello Nick,

your wishes they´ve helped

[dedehansen]

back

Iron cross 2nd class 1914

Hindi cross

Long service cross 25 years 3rd reich

Berlin delegation medal 2nd class

Austrian commemorate medal

Hungarian commemorate medal

Kind regards

Andreas

[Claudius]

Great Bar Andreas! Congrats on getting it.

I really like these medal bars and groups that have a China connection (as you know )

A wonderful bar with a rare and interesting medal. Is there anything more to learn about this Berlin delegation? Are there any personal accounts or stories?

[JapanX]

Congrates Andreas!

Edited September 12, 2014 by JapanX

[dedehansen]

Great Bar Andreas! Congrats on getting it.

I really like these medal bars and groups that have a China connection (as you know )

A wonderful bar with a rare and interesting medal. Is there anything more to learn about this Berlin delegation? Are there any personal accounts or stories?

Hello and thanks Claudius,

as you already know I collect medal bars and document groups preferred with foreign medals to Germans.

All I know comes from Nick / JapanX

Congrates Andreas!

Thanks Nick,

but only with yours assistance knowledge I was able to conceive an opinion

and then I could buy it.

Best wishes

Andreas

[ray11]

All i can say is WOW great buy no matter the price.

[linden16]

Great group with a rare possibly even unique combination

[dedehansen]

Thanks for your friendly comments.

Wherefor else is money there !

Kind regards

Andreas