宣统二年南阳博览会"金"（鎏铜）一等奖章。 (t) CHINA. Nanyang Exposition "Gold" (Gilt Bronze) First Place Award Medal, Year 2 (1910). PCGS MS-61. 正面中央以会场建筑及风景为图案，外圈是双龙戏珠及祥云。 反面外圈绕中字，花卉两侧，中央写上宣统二年。农工商部颁发的一等、二等、三等奖牌。南洋劝业会在1910年6月5日至11月29日间举办，长达六个月的展期中参观人数超过30万人。 有趣的是，此奖章以溶化的弹壳制成，再鎏金与镀银，此枚细节完好，不多见经手痕迹，钱币藏家必定关注的一枚。清末西方列强大肆拓展在中国的贸易，促使清政府推动在各地办理博览会以振兴实业。南洋劝业会是中国最大也是最早的全国性博览会，影响深远。几乎全国各省份都在此展示，以主办的江苏省规模最宏大。参展的商品类别包括农业、教育、卫生、武备、玻璃制品、纺织品、瓷器和国外制品。由专家组成的专家评审委员会颁发出一等奖66枚、二等奖214枚及三等奖428枚的奖牌。商品范围计440类、项目近一百万种。 Li-pg. 126 (plate specimen). Obverse: Entrance gate of the exposition represented among clouds on the center of the obverse surrounded by Imperial dragons on either side striving towards a flaming pearl at twelve oclock in the outer border; Reverse: A legend in traditional script separated by rosettes on either side with a central inscription stating the date of the expositions year. A medal representing the first class award presented by the Bureau of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce for exhibits at the six month long Nanyang Exposition, June 5th to November 29th 1910, during which time more than 300,000 visitors attended. Fused together rather than struck, this example maintains much appeal, with strong details escaping much in the way of marking or handling, with most of the gilding yet present. A piece that will certainly capture the attention of the numerous collectors of Imperial Chinese Medals. In the closing years of the Qing Dynasty western powers were attempting to strengthen their grip on trade in China and encourage industrial development by sponsoring such industrial expositions throughout China. The Nanyang Exposition became the largest such fair and featured showcases from nearly every province in China with the joint host provinces of Kiangsu and Kiangsi having the largest displays. Categories of exhibited wares included, agriculture, education, health arts, weaponry, glassworks, textiles, porcelain and foreign products. A judging committee of experts from various fields awarded sixty-six first class, two hundred fourteen second class and four hundred twenty eight third class medals of these types to a wide range of items, nearly one million items in four hundred and forty categories.
