安南大南皇帝勅赐勒能可赏金质挂牌 近未流通
NGUYEN DYNASTY (ANNAM): AV kim khánh medal (13.93g), Sylvester-1/F (this example), 67 x 39mm, Order of Kim Khánh, made with two pieces of repoussé gold, dai nam / hoang de sac tu // can nang kha thuong ("Bestowed by the Emperor of the Great South // Industrious & commendable"), flanked by two dragons among clouds, both facing a flaming sphere framed with curlicues, attached at top with red cord, and at bottom with a privately-made kim tiên of Bao Dai and beautiful coral beads, strung together with gold thread into a khánh-shaped pendant and three braids that descend into numerous strings of colorful beads ending in orange tassels, choice 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.
