NGUYEN DYNASTY (ANNAM): Dong Khanh, 1885-1889, Order of the Dragon of Annam, Barac-95, Vernon-174, Sylvester-3/5, 52 x 54mm, Knight s Badge, silver star with faceted surface & 8 multi-tipped rays; at center, a blue enameled oval emblazoned with the imperial seal & encircled by a red band, small hallmark on the back of the top ray, all suspended from a blue-dotted silver crown attached to an enameled dragon in green, yellow, orange & red, and red ribbons with yellow trim, a particularly lovely example with translucent enamels, choice EF, ex John Sylvester Jr. Collection. Instituted on March 14th, 1886, the Order of the Dragon of Annam became a French colonial order on May 10, 1896. It was awarded by both the emperor (till 1946) and the French president (till 1950), mainly to high-ranking French officials, but also those from neighboring nations. To avoid confusion, those awarded by the emperor were suspended from red ribbons with yellow trim, and those awarded by the French president from green ribbons with orange trim.
