1929年梅兰芳纪念银章。正面为梅传士头像七分脸,稍朝左;反面:花枝围绕英字 "THE / COMMEMORATE / OF THE DOCTOR / OF MEI LAN / FANG"五行铭文。包浆柔美,饶有趣味的一枚,纪念著名的京剧演员梅兰芳。梅兰芳出演无数的京剧花旦,五十年的演艺生涯中曾多次到国外出演,担当起文化交流的角色。在1929-30年期间他曾两度获南加州大学及波莫纳大学颁发荣誉博士学位,此枚极其稀罕的奖章应是来自其中之一,以纪念梅兰芳在中西文化交流的重大功蹟。
CHINA. Mei Lanfang Silver Doctoral Medal, ND (ca. 1929). PCGS AU-58 Gold Shield.L&M-Unlisted; K-Unlisted. Obverse: Bust of Mei facing slightly right, head turned slightly left; niàn jì shì bó méi (to commemorate Meis doctoral) above; Reverse: Flowering branch and reeds encompassing "THE / COMMEMORATE / OF THE DOCTOR / OF MEI LAN / FANG" in five lines. The pleasantly toned and highly interesting medal commemorates not a medical doctor, but in fact one of the most well known and well accomplished Peking opera artists in modern Chinese theater. Known as the "Queen of the Peking Opera," he exclusively played female roles and had a robust 50-year career that included tours abroad, essentially acting as a cultural ambassador. A six month stint in the United States in 1929-30 saw him awarded two honorary doctoral degrees--one from USC, the other from Pomona College. This EXTREMELY RARE medal likely corresponds to one of these two conferrals, honoring the great artist for his achievements in the west.