Digital museum showcasing the collection of worldwide legends over the years! 千古不朽博物館展示多年來收藏的世界傳奇故事!
Shanhaiguan Shooting Medal
(Former Guangxu Yuanbao, Emperor Guangxu 26th)
山海關德國射擊獎章
(原光緒元寶,光緒26年)
Item number: M194
Year: AD 1900
Material: Silver
Size: 43.7 x 38.9 x 2.1 mm
Weight: 25.25 g
Manufactured by: Peiyang Arsenal, Tianjin
Provenance: Teutoburger Münzauktion GmbH 2023
This is a “Shanhaiguan Shooting Medal” crafted by the German military stationed in China, using a Guangxu Yuanbao silver coin with a denomination of 7 mace and 2 candareens as the base material. The original coin was minted at the Peiyang Arsenal in Tianjin during the 26th year of the Guangxu Emperor’s reign (AD 1900).
The obverse of the medal features the original design of the Guangxu Yuanbao coin, depicting a five-clawed dragon emitting flames. The upper rim is inscribed with the English legend “26th YEAR OF KUANG HSU,” denoting the year of production. Notable details include two small dots beneath the “th” underscore and three small dots at the end of the letter “U.” The bottom rim bears the English transliteration of the mint name, “PEI YANG,” with a small dot positioned at the lower right corner of the letter “G.” Due to factors such as printing pressure and mould wear, variations in the presence and intensity of dots can be observed at the four and eight o’clock positions on the coin. This specimen belongs to the variety with a missing dot on the left side.
During the period spanning from the 25th to the 34th year of the Guangxu reign (AD 1899 to AD 1908), the Guangxu Yuanbao coins minted by the Peiyang Mint were issued, with the 26th year variety being the rarest. The invasion of the Eight-Nation Alliance during that time made the Peiyang Arsenal, strategically located and housing a significant amount of military equipment, a contested site. After the Alliance captured the factory, the machinery was severely damaged, halting coin production, and the silver coins that had already been minted were seized by the Alliance forces. Consequently, these coins became highly sought after by collectors, earning the moniker “The Three Musketeers of the Dragon Dollar” in the world of numismatics.
The original reverse side of the medal was inscribed in Chinese with the denomination and the phrase “Guangxu Yuanbao.” After being processed and smoothed by the German military, geometric decorative patterns were engraved along the outer edge and centre of the coin. At the centre is a circular target and intersecting rifles, surrounded by German text in a floral font that reads “Preiss-Schiessen Shanhaikuan 11/6.1902 Dem Besten Schützen,” translating to “Shooting Competition at Shanhaiguan, November 6, 1902, to the Best Marksman.” This event was a shooting competition organised by the German troops stationed there to pass the time. Whether it was limited to the German military or involved inviting other countries’ troops to participate requires further historical documentation for confirmation.
In the autumn of AD 1900, following the successful relief of the besieged foreign legations in Beijing, the Eight-Nation Alliance continued their advance towards strategic points in northern China. Shanhaiguan, situated at the gateway between northern and northeastern China, served as a crucial passage and a vital station along the Beijing-Fengtian railway artery. Hence, in October, British forces of the Alliance landed by sea, while Russian troops arrived at Shanhaiguan by train from Fengtian. In September of the following year, after the signing of the Boxer Protocol between the Qing government and the foreign powers, the Alliance was permitted to station troops along the coast of northern China, including Shanhaiguan. From AD 1902 to AD 1945, prior to the end of World War II, troops from six countries—Britain, France, Russia, Germany, Italy, and Japan—were successively stationed at Shanhaiguan. Additionally, a hotel was constructed south of the railway station to accommodate foreign visitors. The German barracks were located on the eastern side of the mouth of the Shihé River and were annexed by Britain during World War I.
獎章正面為光緒元寶原貌,正面是一隻吐出火球的五爪蟠龍,上緣以英文「光緒26年」(26th YEAR OF KUANG HSU)標示鑄造年份,「th」底線下方的兩點和「U」結尾有三粒小圓點是值得注意的細節。下緣則是廠名「北洋」(PEI YANG)英文拼音,「G」右下角以一小圓點作收尾。26年版出於印壓力道和模具磨損等因素,位於四和八點鐘方向的圓點有著缺失和深淺等不同版型,該物件是屬於左側缺少圓點的版型。