Ngân Tiền, Long Văn (sublime dragon) of 3 Tiền in silver, Mi - Lot 48

Ngân Tiền, Long Văn (sublime dragon) of 3 Tiền in silver, Minh Mạng era (1820-1841), obliquely ridged edge, with two rings. Purple silk suspension cord, yellow, blue and purple silk tassels. 31.4 mm, gross weight: 19.9 g. SUP Schroeder 188. Sylvester 4/B/4/a (4.2.4.1). Presented framed with the award diploma fully calligraphed on red paper, imperial seal in red ink, overprinted with a translation "Reward offered by order of His Majesty, to M. Ferré, aide-médecin, a silver medal. Tự Đức, 33rd year, 4th month, 26th day" signed by customs inspector Antoine Cheleprêtre(?). The Annamite text specifies "Reward of the LONG VAN type, ornate dragon - Tiền in 1st (class) silver". 25.5 x 16.5 cm (on view). Such red-colored documents are reputed to have been written in the Emperor's own hand. Pierre Albert Ferré, medical assistant aboard the Du Couëdic, he served in the Tonkin campaign.