Richard LaTondre

I almost fogot! What a coincidence. I just acquired an 8th Class Sacred Crown on eBay. That tells you that some good things are still out there if you take the time to search for them.

Good Morning Nick. As usual a very excellent article on the "Sacred Crown', However, I am here to defend my old friend Jim Peterson. The term 'revered' is at times a synonym for sacred according to the " Roget's II, The New Thesaurus".However the reason for his selection may be found in the translation of the Sacred Treasure. If you look at the characters on the case of the Sacred Crown, You will find that they are the same characters used for the Sacred Treasure. Best Regards, Dick www.thegoldenkite.com

Good evening gentlemen and best wishes to all. I do not believe that the breast star was wrongly plated. There is a grouping of eight major stars on the circumference of the medal. Each of the groups consist of six fluted rays of which the diagonal sets of rays are gilded and the others are silver. (Reference Peterson page 147 paragraph 6. This can also be seen on close inspection of the furnished photos

I would be very careful about this one! http://www.ebay.com/itm/China-Order-of-the-Golden-Grain-Grand-Cross-star-excellent-/350877778759?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51b1f20347#ht_257wt_1211 Richardhttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2013/post-3065-0-41110100-1379606230.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2013/post-3065-0-36422800-1379606333.jpg

Interesting Wen Hu on ebay, It shows character and severe enamel damage. http://www.ebay.com/itm/331020413657?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1431.l2648#ht_102wt_1247

I guess when sales slow down you need to be innovated.

This is quite true. To add to the myriad defects, it has no hallmarks, no bureau marks, or maker's marks. It is not all there (it is missing a couple of screws). The condition of this item is probably 'Fair' at the best. And to top it off the seller makes the following statement "; this medal was offered at a recent UK coin/medal auction for $15K."

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chinese-Order-of-the-Striped-Tiger-Medal-/290944237495?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43bda0bfb7#ht_326wt_1247 Thank you Paul. I thought that I had nabbed the image but guess not. Richard

Good Morning Genlemen: I suspect we will have a few comments concerning this item. Richard

I think we need to be doubly careful as more and more 'reputable' dealers are listing these items. Just because an item is offered by a major house of good repute it does not necessarily make it authentic. But, because they are 'reputable' they more than likely will refund your purchase.

Beautiful Medal! Could we please see a photo of the reverse of the Breast Badge?<br />Thank You,<br /><br />Richard

Now. Finally, the question I am asking is, in the Mohler Collection, this was previously identified as a XinJiang Province Commemorative medal. What we have here appears to me to be two different classes of the same medal. Sorry my photos are not as good as they should be. One has the shield the white tiger is on, in yellow, and the next one is in red enamel. I think we may have to do a little more reseach on this series (or maybe (and this would not be unusual)) or else I am slowly losing my memory. Anyone have any ideas? Richard

This is the second variation from the Mohler collection

eBay listing

This is The White Tiger on eBay

The illusive and beautiful Order of the White Tiger makes its appearance on eBay! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unknown-Early-Republic-of-China-Chinese-Xinjiang-Warlord-Medal-White-Tiger-Order-/150987151856?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23278919f0 Richard

Sorry, left out the most important part: Serial #749<br /><br />Richard

Good Morning and a happy day to you!<br />I don't know if this is going to be of much help, but I noticed an obscure (It was in the wrong area) item on eBay which was selling the medal which appeared to be a 1st Class Breast Badge with the following award:<br /><br />"National Government Republic of China Certificate of award:<br /><br />"The Special Breast Order of the Cloud and Banner with Certificate"<br />To<br />Major Claude Powell O-1573517<br /><br />For duties while an Instructor at the South West China Training Center, 20 January 1946<br /><br />signed: CHIANG CHUNG CHXXNG (Blurred)<br />President<br /><br />Richard

Thank you for the beautiful display of Chinese medals. No Wen Hu ?

send me an email at USMCGungHo@aol.com

If there aren't any to bid on at auction If there are none to bid on at auction, and none on eBay. None listed on the OMSA website, none listed on the GMIC website what do you imagine that does to the price/value/scarcity? I would say that a 5th Class Striped Tiger with case and acoutrements in excellent (very good to fine) condition, would be a bargain at $3,000.00. U.S. Occasionally you see some of these appear on the Japanese Yahoo auction sites however, in order to participate in the bidding you must have a blood relationship to a well known Samurai family, or a member of the royal household.The bottom line is that they are scarce! I am not certain if the People's Republic of China considers these as National Treasures but it is a cinch that Under Chairman Mao and the Red Guard, these would be symbols of a bourgeois society and destroyed {along with Mah Johng sets. The bottom line gentlemen is . . . . availability! I must admit that I am a long time lover of the striped Tiger and especially the specimens turned out by the cloisonne masters Lao Tien Li and Yung Zeng who layered the enamels heavily into the cloisons seperated by a band of gold or silver, or even an edge of a brass strip to the point that you could rub your fingers over the tiger and feel the depth and dimension of his ears, his tail, and his proud chest. Once you have done that, you fall in love with the Tiger. Richard

I agree with Gavin's cost estimate but you hardly see them up for sale. Richard

The sheer agony of the red tape, hidden fees, taxes and gaurantee deposits required on Yahoo Japan make your offer of $550.00 a bargain. Unless you are the first born son of a samurai, it can be difficult to buy or sell on that venue of 'bargains.' Richard

I had to make certain that I said Pheasant and not peasant.

Dermatin was derived from the latin dermat which means skin, In this case it was a type of bird. Pheasants need to be skinned before eating. This skin was quite delicate and was made into a covering for containers that held jewelry, fine artifacts, and medals. Richard