Frank,
Yes, I am the author of the article. However, I have to say that your English translation did a much better job than what I intended to bring the topic for further discussions in the numismatic community.
As for the authenticity of the “Chinese Exhibition” medal, I would rather not speculate or dispute, it is better for the folks who are interested in this type of medals to investigate and then make the call. What I can tell you are what I have been trying to find out the details of this medal.
I was invited by Huang Ruiyong and attended the International Symposium on the 30th Anniversary of Panda Coins in Shanghai in May 2012, where I met both Mr. Chen Jian and Mr. Yan Shaolin, among others well known in the Chinese numismatic circle. Other than ordinary greetings and card exchanges, we did not discuss anything about these medals then. I did ask Mr. Chen Jian about the where about of the silver medal of “the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao”, which was a trial piece preceded the gold medals of “Beijing Scenery”. After coming back to the U.S., I emailed Mr. Yan Shaolin in August 2012 with pictures of both medals of the PBOC and the “Chinese Exhibition” and asked for more information about them. Mr. Yan was cautious, he responded without offering any opinions. Instead, Mr. Yan referred me to Mr. Gao Hongfei (大铜缺) who was specialized in collections of various Great Wall medals. Mr. Gao confirmed to me that the “Chinese Exhibition” was indeed for the 1980 trade show in the U.S.. I further did some research on the background information about this trade show. Before this, Mr. Huang Ruiyong already put his hand on the “Chinese Exhibition” medal I had when he stopped by my house en route to the Chicago coin show in 2011, and agreed it was made by the Shanghai Mint for the Chinese trade show in 1980. I further got in touch with Mr. Gu yida, in an attempt to have additional opinions about medal, Mr. Gu responded saying that he did not have any information at the time, but promised that he would bring it up to his friends in his circle for further study. I did not get in touch with Mr. Yin Guoqing about the medals, as he already listed both the PBOC medal and the “Chinese Exhibition” medal as the internal issued items by the Shanghai Mint in his blogs. About a year ago, I obtained my second “Chinese Exhibition” medal on eBay, and requested additional information from the seller, who told me that the medal belonged to his aged father-in-law who got it years ago from a Chinese trade show.
Based on observations of various plum flower Great Wall medals in my hands, there are multiple versions varying in small details. For example, I was probably the first person to report the brass error version without 1980 date AND without incused Badaling word on the medal. I am continuing to do my homework in discovering and understanding various Great Wall medals and certainly would like to share with those who have the same interest.