Very odd China Service Medal - Odd Ring and plated? Asian?

[cap_george]

I picked up this China Medal - and it is smaller, cruder, and appears plated. Any ideas as to when and where made? Thanks

 

[KurtA]

Unless you can locate the guy who cast this in his garage, you won't be able to determine "when and where."

[aerialbridge]

Unless you can locate the guy who cast this in his garage, you won't be able to determine "when and where."

 

 

Great answer, KurtA. Even the counterfeiters in China might have taken a second look during "quality control". That casting seems to be plated with the plating flaked off above the eagle's head. For $34.99 and some lucky timing, the below boxed, ring-type, China Service would have been a nice addition. About $250 below FMV, since two recent similar ones went for $300.. Ebay "buy it nows" like that are things of beauty.

[aerialbridge]

Here is another "odd" ring type China Service that sold on Ebay for around $30 not too long ago after sitting there for some months. The ring looks funky, the way it's kind of chiseled at the base. As for the rest of the planchet, it's pretty unique to say the least. Any chance the planchet is not a casting?

[aerialbridge]

Other side

 

 

 

 

[Shakethetrees]

These cast China medals are "slush cast". This is a low temp alloy (white metal) directly poured into a rubber mold. Shrinkage during cooling causes flattening and warping. Sometime, if there's any significant oxidation on the surface plating will easily flake off. This is a high volume technique.

[Wharfmaster]

I have one like it in a group. However, it is not undersized. Have had this group for years.

 

My guess is foreign mfg., perhaps Asia.

 

 

 

Wharf

[KurtA]

Wharf-

Actually, I like yours. Has a very "Asian" look (as far as manufacture goes) to it.

Kurt