Large Beautiful Early Issue (WWII) Chiang Kai Shek Victory Order: Low Number, Partial Box

This is a large and very beautiful World War II Chiang Kai Shek Victory Order medal with a low number, which along with the colors of the ribbon indicate that this medal was issued relatively early on. The medal is in enameled gilt silver and shows China's wartime leader at the center of a large medallion, which is suspended from a smaller "Blue Sky, White Sun" medallion. The number eight is a repeating theme, shown in the eight stars encircling Kai Shek and the eight emanating rays, and is symbolic of the eight year War of Resistance against Japan (1937-1945). The medal sits in a beautiful original but partial box with no attachment, whose cover reads "In Commemoration of Victory in the 8-Year War of Resistance". It is not certain if this medal was given to an American serviceman, but it is known that a total of only 78 of these medals were given to Americans during World War II, and often those of higher rank in the earlier days of the award. The reverse of the medal pictures a map of China, along with a mint mark and a serial number.

Circa World War II.

Box: approximately 7-1/2" in height and 4" in width and " in thickness; medal: approximately 6" in height and 2-3/4" in width.

Box: silk brocade-covered cardboard, padded silk lining, velvet; medal: gilt silver, enamel, silk ribbon.

Box: partial box with no attachment; medal: safety pin, suspension ring.

Mint mark; Chinese characters ("In Commemoration of Victory in the 8-Year War of Resistance"); 926.

This is from a Chinese collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. VAGEX11 L/SEIEX7/11

7+ (Very Fine+): The medal is in beautiful shape with light wear and a handsome tarnish, and one pushpin hole in the ribbon; case is in very good condition but is partial.

As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.