Richard LaTondre

Lilo: As I am unfamiliar with listing photos on this website, I prefer that you direct your questions regarding medals to the OMSA website at: http://www.omsa.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=50 Do you have any problems with that? The reason is that the OMSA website is designed specifically for medals only. The GMIC website does not specialize in medals. I have information concerning the order with the red stones. I want to caution you once again about using my photographs without giving the source. The photograph is a reproduction of my copyrighted photo. In order for you to use any of my photos you need to insert the following: "Photo courtesy of Richard LaTondre, Hoover Institution, Stanford University" Respectfully, Richard

If you look more carefully you will find the color photograph illustrated in the color plate section of the Third Edition.

Very impressive! Did you see any mint marks such as the Osaka 'M'? Thanks for sharing. Dick

Exactly! Here is a good comparison. The orginal is on the left. A very, very good fake is on the right. http://www.omsa.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3842

ALWAYS check the back of a suspect medal.

This is the reverse

Yes . . . . . and quite heavy! Dick

Not at all. Dick

Hugh, No one should feel chastened. I feel good when I can share my knowledge of Chinese medals with my fellow collectors. There are some pretty shady individuals out there just waiting to take advantage of others. I hate to sound tutorial but it comes out that way. I would never ever enter the arena of Japanese Samurai swords or German SS daggers as I know I would be eaten alive were it not for my more knowledgeable collector friends from whom I ask for help and opinions on many occasions. Best Regards, Dick

The ribbon is the proper color but the cut and the rosette are not correct. Additionally the ring in the center should be gold plated as well as the cloud suspension. The grain in the original consists of a center tuft surrounded by green leaves and smaller tufts at the bottom. You can see some excellent examples of this beautiful order on the OMSA medal data base. I would post a copy but I have difficulty doing so on this website. One must be very careful and at least partially familiar with the medals of the Republic of China before purchasing them. I do not intend any disrespect but I would get some reference material for study prior to purchasing any of these items. I want to thank you very much for forwarding the pictures for us to see. I think you have made some potential medal collectors smarter. Sorry, Dick

Sorry to add a bit of bad news but you have a rather poorly made fake. Any reference book on Chinese Republic medals would show that your medal has the wrong design on the obverse as well as the wrong ribbon. Sorry, Dick

Yes I certainly will try. I am not much of a photographer. The 'M' mark is stamped on the suspension ball at the very top of the medal.

John: I just noticed that I have an M (Osaka) hallmark on my Manchukuo Third Class Pillars of State. I guess it would be too premature to suggest that all Manchukou medals were minted in Osaka. Dick

Hello Adam, Welcome back. This is one of my favorite orders. Thank you for sharing that. Regards, Richard

I have always maintained that the authenticity of a suspect medal can be found on the back. Any pictures of the reverse? I believe this medal may be suspect. Dick

Exactly! You hit it square on the head! What is red? Well it certainly can be crimson. Magenta or a time tempered shade therof. Sorry about your loss of those precious back issues. It used to be that you could request a copy from the back issue honcho. I was so surprised to find that article which was written by two great hard hitting collectors. Both of them had a set of Striped Tigers to fall back on for research. It was interesting to read about the 9th Class Order. The Striped Tigers in my collection all have the reddish edge stripe but they are all about a century old. I do not know of any other order of Chinese or Japanese medal that has nine classes. Maybe I should submit the whole article but would imagine that there are many collectors that have it in their files. Dick

I did some deep research and found an article written by James W. Peterson and Harry Mohler in the June 18th, 1962 edition of "The Medal Collector". The following is an excerpt from the article: THE ORDER OF THE STRIPED TIGER OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA bY James W. Peterson and Harry Mohler "19. Sash, Cravat and Ribbon (A)> Color - First Class Grand Cordon sash is red with yellow edges. Second Class Grans Cordon sash is 83mm, canary yellow with 15mm dark green edges, or light yellow with light green edges. Third Class Cravat and 4th - 6th Class Breast Ribbons are 35mm to 38mm, watered, green with 6mm - 7mm RED EDGES, varying in shade. The 7th - 9th Classes are most commonly found on a dark blue ribbon with white sidestripes, but other specimens have a white ribbon with red outer/blue inner edges." I hope this helps to clarify the red magenta purple red stripe. Dick

How about visiting the OMSA medal database?

As the image indicates Dark Purple!

Hi Ed: It appears to be ~40mm wide. This is one of my favorite Orders. Dick

The "Tigers" in the Mohler Collection at Stanford have the following ribbon/sash colors: First Class Grand Cordon: Sash is Cream or light beige with turquoise edge stripes. Second Class sash is gold/yellow with turquoise edge stripes. Third Class is Dark green with purple edge stripes. Fourth Class is 38mm dark green with 7mm red edge stripes Fifth Class is 38mm dark green with 7mm red edge stripes Sixth Class is 38mm Deep blue with two white stripes Seventh Class is 38mm Deep blue with two white stripes Eighth Class is 38mm Deep Blue with two white stripes Ninth Class is Dark green with 7mm red edge stripes.

Hope this helps. Dick

I believe that all Golden Kites are minted at the Osaka mint. About ten years ago a number of spankingly new, supposedly unissued medals showed up for sale by dealers in the Carlisle Barracks area of PA. They were ostensibly obtained by a US army ranger colonel who was a collector and commanded a ranger unit during the initial occupation of Osaka. I don't know how true this story is but it was said that immediately after the landing he made it to the mint and removed a quantity of medals. In any event, I have never noticed a mint mark on a Golden Kite. Maybe this is a start for a section in Paul's book. Dick