Chinese Qing Dynasty Medal Order of Taiping Bao Xing in silver/ Medal de Taiping

The first medal in China Qing Dynasty. The obverse bears two dragons chasing a jewel and the reverse has the Chinese inscription: MILITARY MERIT PRAISE SIGN. MODERN REPRODUCTION. SOLID ALLOY PLATED PURE SILVER.
The Second Opium or Arrow War, 1856-1860, pitted the forces of Britain and France against those of the Qing Dynasty. Early action took place at Guangzhou (Canton to Westerners). The US had minimal involvement in the Battle of the Pearl River Forts and the bombardment of the Taku Forts. The second wave of action in 1860 took place primarily at Peking. The war ended with the signing of the Convention of Peking on October 18, 1860.French and British troops then supported the defeated Qing Dynasty at the Battle of Shanghai (June 1861 to July 1862) using modern artillery to inflict heavy casualties on the rebellious Taiping Army. These troops were awarded the Imperial Chinese Taiping Bao Xing medal.