Item number: M253

Year: AD 1943

Material: Copper

Size: 26.1 x 26.1 x 1.8 mm

Weight: 7.25 g

Manufactured by: Chengdu Mint

Provenance: Da Chen Stamps and Coins Collection 2014

This is a Chiang Kai-shek commemorative medal, designed by Dong Yiqian, an engraver at the Chengdu Mint, in the 32nd year of Republic of China (AD 1943) after Chiang Kai-shek returned from the Cairo Conference. The medal was produced in two versions based on material: nickel and copper. This item is the copper version.

The medal features no inscriptions on either side. The obverse side displays a three-quarter profile portrait of Chiang Kai-shek in military uniform, with the rank insignia of “Special Class Generalissimo” on his collar. The reverse side depicts the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, an important site for imperial ceremonies during the Ming Dynasty’s Yongle era. The intricate details of the stairs and roof tiles are meticulously crafted.

Dong Yiqian was born in AD 1905 in a large family in Cang County, Hebei. In AD 1923, upon the recommendation of a fellow townsman working at the Tianjin Mint, he enrolled in the mint’s attached engraving school, where he honed his skills for five years. In AD 1928, he officially became an engraver at the Tianjin Mint, subsequently working at mints in Henan and Shanxi, primarily involved in the production of copper coins. In AD 1936, recommended by a senior colleague, Dong joined the Shanghai Central Mint. However, with the outbreak of the Battle of Shanghai, Dong relocated with the central government to work at the Chengdu Mint.

In AD 1949, as the Nationalist government faced imminent defeat in the Chinese Civil War, Dong, who had returned to the Shanghai Central Mint, did not follow the government in retreating to Taiwan. After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, Dong continued to serve and mentor younger engravers in Shanghai until his retirement in May AD 1973. Dong Yiqian passed away in June AD 1980 at the age of 75.

物件編號: M253

年代: 公元 1943 年

材質: 紅銅

尺寸: 26.1 x 26.1 x 1.8 mm

重量: 7.25 g

製造地: 成都造幣廠

來源: 大城錢幣社 2014

這是一枚民國32年(公元1943年)，蔣介石參加開羅會議歸國後，由成都造幣廠雕刻師董益謙負責設計的蔣介石紀念章。紀念章按照材質劃分，分別為鎳跟紅銅兩種，該物件為紅銅版本。

紀念章的雙面沒有任何文字，正面是蔣介石身穿戎裝的七分側臉肖像，領口是「特級上將」即「大元帥」軍階。紀念章背面則是坐落於北京，自明朝永樂年間作為皇帝祭祀天地的重要場域「天壇」，樓梯和屋瓦的細節皆極為細膩。

公元1905年，董益謙出生於河北滄縣的大家庭。公元1923年，在天津造幣廠工作的同鄉推薦下，進入造幣廠附設的雕刻學校鑽研技藝持續5年。公元1928年，正式成為天津造幣廠應聘的雕刻師，後續還到河南和山西的造幣廠工作，內容都離不開銅元製造。公元1936年，受到師兄推薦的董益謙進入上海中央造幣廠。但隨著淞滬會戰的爆發，董益謙隨著中央政府西遷，落腳於成都造幣廠展開工作。公元1949年，國民政府在國共內戰將要覆滅之際，已經回到上海中央造幣廠的董益謙未隨政府撤往台灣。中共建政之後，董益謙持續在上海服務和提攜後進，直到公元1973年5月退休為止。公元1980年6月，董益謙以75歲高齡逝世。