Thiệu Trị
The initial "Kim Khánh" were issued either during the reign of the Gia Long Emperor or Minh Mạng Emperor and it is not known when the decoration was first issued or what classes they initially had. An example of one of these early "Kim Khánh" dating to the reign of Thiệu Trị had a design of two embossed dragons facing the sun, enhanced with fine pearls, with two Traditional Chinese characters reading "Ân tứ" (恩賜, "King's Gift") composed of pearls. This early "Kim Khánh" was intended for a member of the imperial family or for one of the four eminent dignitaries advisers to the Emperor, the "Pillars of the Empire".