Auction Catalogue

19 & 20 July 2017

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Live Online Auction

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Lot

№ 548

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19 July 2017

Estimate: £200–£300

Chile, Republic, Municipality of Concepción’s Medal of Gratitude for the Earthquake of 24 January 1939, bronze, unnamed as issued, lacking riband, minor edge bruise, good very fine, rare £200-300

This medal was struck to be awarded to the crews of H.M.S. Exeter and Ajax of the Royal Navy’s South America Squadron for assisting with the humanitarian mission following the devastating earthquake at Concepción, Chile, on 24 January 1939. The earthquake, the deadliest in Chile’s history, measured 8.3 on the Richter scale and led to a death toll of approximately 28,000, and around 95% of the town’s buildings were completely destroyed. Owing to the outbreak of the Second World War, the majority of the medals were never issued.