Tianjin Provisional Government Medals/天津都統衙門章

The Tianjin Provisional Government Medal was presented to members of the Provisional Government.

It was designed by J. Chevet and manufactured by the Tokyo workshop Tenshodo.

According to the "Illustrated History of Milled Coinage and Medals of Modern China /图说中国近代机制币章/ edited by Sun Hao, Shanghai Science and Technology Press, 2017, pp. 279-280."

12 gold medal
60 silver medals
153 bronze medals

were issued.

It is generally believed that gold medals were awarded to high-ranking foreign dignitaries in the Tianjin Provisional Government, while silver and bronze medals were mostly awarded to foreign and local officials with lower ranks.
​

Gold medals.

Gold, enamel.
Size 52 mm.
Weight 97.07 g.

Marked on the rim "Tenshodo" and "K18".

The obverse shows the flags of the seven alliance members who formed the government.
Gouvernement provisoire du district de Tientsin = Provisional Government of Tianjin.​

Reverse inscription​

天津 - Tianjin

都統衙門 - Provisional Government

Following the capture of Tientsin in July 1900, a provisional local government was established, initially with a three-person committee consisting of representatives from Russia, the United Kingdom and Japan, and shortly afterwards augmented by another four representatives from the United States, Germany, France and Italy. Officially called T’ienchin Tutung Yamen, this provisional government exercised military control over Tientsin, Chinghai, Ningho and some other regions, with a force of some 900 men under their direct control. The Tutung Yamen ended in August 1902 when Tientsin was restored to Qing control.​

Details.

J.C. = J. Chevet

Marks.

 

Size 52.2 mm.
Weight 97.4 g.

Marks.

Additionally additionally engraved "Mons le Capitaine Ducat Chef du 4ieme District"

Charles Merewether Ducat was educated at Marlborough College and entered Sandhurst in 1880. 2nd Lieutenant Indian Army in 1881, he served with the Poona Horse in the Burma campaign of 1887-89 (medal with two clasps) and with the China Field Force, 1900-01, as a Special Service Officer detailed by the Imperial Government (MiD: London Gazette: 13 September 1901 and medal without clasp). Promoted Major in 1901, he was made Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel for services in China and appointed Military Attaché to Peking, 1902-05. Colonel in 1910, he commanded the Poona Horse 1908-12 and retired in 1913.​

Same medal under different light.

 

Salty specimen.

Size 52.2 mm.
Weight 96.8 g.

 

Gold, enamel.
Size 52mm.

Marked on the edge "Tenshodo" and engraved "Bt. Major G. H. G. Mockler, Chief of International Police, Tientsin, 1900-2".

 

Silver medals.

Silver, enamel.
Size 52 mm.
Thickness 4 mm.
Weight 70.7 g.

Marked "Tenshodo".

Mark.

Original case.

G.P.T. = Gouvernement Provisoire de Tientsin

Dimensions 10.7 x 8.5 x 2.1 cm.

 

Another example of silver medal.

Size 52 mm.
Weight 70.73 g.

Same medal under different light.

 

Specimen in deep patina.

 

Silver medal converted into a belt buckle.

Engraved "A.Bassett Watts".

 

Bronze medals.

Specimen from the collection of British Museum (it was donated to the Museum in 1932 by Paul Bauer - Austrian Consulate General in Tianjin) has the following characteristics:

Size 52 mm.
Weight 62.65 g.

No photos available.


Another example of bronze medal.

Bronze, enamel.
Size 52 mm.

Original case.

 

Bronze, enamel.
Size 52 mm.