安南成泰勅赠报义酬勋金质挂牌 近未流通
NGUYEN DYNASTY (ANNAM): Thanh Thai, 1889-1907, AV kim khánh medal (18.78g), Barac-77, cf. Sylvester-1/C/3/B, 76 x 41mm, Order of Kim Khánh Middle Class, made with two pieces of repoussé gold, thanh thai sac tang // bao nghia thu huan ("Bestowed by Thanh Thai // To reward righteousness & merit"), framed by floral decoration with curlicues at the top, bottom & corners, attached at top (sic) with knot & five multicolored tassels, and at bottom with cord, likely made by a goldsmith imitating the Chinese characters and worn upside-down by a recipient who can t read them, AU, R, ex John Sylvester Jr. Collection. Khánh, which means a ceremonial gong of pleasing sound, was the most prestigious award during the Nguyen Dynasty. It comprised four classes (Great, First, Second, and Third) and was sparingly bestowed to officials of distinction, who could be seen in old photographs wearing them in the middle of their chest on important occasions. One example was even awarded to the President of France in 1875. Due to the hefty cost of production, the imperial court began issuing only a brevet in 1912, leaving the recipient to purchase their own medal. The French manufacturer M. Delande, for instance, priced the gilt silver first class kim khánh medal at 225 francs in his 1938 catalog. In 1957, the Order of Kim Khanh was resurrected under President Ngo Dinh Diem as the second-ranking civilian decoration, with a new design of a scholar s scrolls.
