World Medals CHINA, temp./i Qīng dynasty. Tiānjīn Provisional Government. /i1900-1902. AV Medal (52mm, 12h). By J. Chevet. Struck by Tenshodo, Tokyo. Dated 1900 and 1902. · GOUVERNEMENT PROVISOIRE DISTRICT DE TIENTSIN · 1900-1902, enameled crossed flags of Germany, the United States, France, Britain, Italy, Japan, and Russia, all tied by ribbon engraved PAX LABOR / Legend in two lines in Hànzì/i characters. L&M 1108. In PCGS encapsulation 46265008, graded MS 63. Extremely rare example with original case (slightly damaged).
From 1899 to 1901, the Boxer Rebellion raged across northern China. Led by the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists, the rebels violently opposed the influence of western colonial powers and their Christian missionaries. The Qing government itself soon came to support the Boxers. In response, an eight-nation multinational coalition invaded the country, with Germany, Japan, Russia, Britain, France, the United States, Italy, and Austria-Hungary all supporting the action. On July 14, 1900, Tiānjīn was occupied by the eight-nation alliance, seizing control from the Boxers. To manage the city, a “Temporary Administration of Local Affairs” – also refereed to as the Tiānjīn Provisional Government – was set up in the former governor’s office. During its brief existence, the Tiānjīn Provisional Government struck a series of rare commemorative medals, with this particular type issued in gold, silver, and copper. Records indicate that twelve specimens were made in gold, but only two or three have thus far appeared in auctions. Tiānjīn would be administered by the Provisional Government until it was returned to Qing control on 15 August 1902. !--Gold--
