Tim B

Here's a couple more; the one on the right is for the Pennsylvania National Guard, so you kind of get the idea about how many you would have to go after to complete a set. Tim

Hi Thomas, I only have a few and found they are a collecting avenue in their own right. It appears all the States did produce one, but so did some local communities (cities and townships) and some veteran's groups. The list appears endless but, I think another collector/dealer (Larry Lipps?) has a booklet that he sells listing all of these. I used to have the link to his book and will have to see if I can find it again. Some of these are nicer than others and some share the same design. This Oregon piece is also used by at least one other state. Some are cheaper than others. Don't know what else to say. I kind of lost interest in these myself, as there was no good, one-source reference showing/discussing all the variations. I think the Lipp's reference is just that, a list and nothing more. Hope that helps somewhat. Tim

Well, it's been awhile and the thread is starting to get quiet. I figure either people are losing interest or running out of new material to post. Do we want to venture into the States and local issue VIC's here or should we start a new and separate thread? Tim Oregon State issue:

Hi Bob, Okay, give me a couple of days to dig out what I can find and take some PIC's. Needed to to it anyway I guess, just never thought too many were interested in the subject and didn't bother. On the money issue questions; I have no idea. Seems to me that a Japanese soldier in the field would have little use of printed money, even in local "Occupation notes". They would get what they needed issued to them and probably have some sort of "chit" for minor purchases depending on locations outside Japan. I consider most of these type notes were used for the "local's" currency during the war. As far as flight crews and the money in their vests, I have not heard of this before but, it would make perfect sense to me. Figure the crews had jackets with the Chinese "Blood Chit" on the reverse and someone would probably have included some "funny money" to buy them help or at least out of trouble in any event. As far as accounting would go, yes, I could see that items would be inventoried and accounted for to ensure the items were there if and when needed, and not sent home as souvenirs. My thoughts anyway. Tim

Sergio, Well...that's interesting as I did not see the date in the smaller PIC. Was looking more at the construction and reverse. Yes, I would wait for others like Demir to comment here on this one. I posted an enamel version sometime back that had the incorrect 333 date and it was determined to be a fake. Maybe you'll have more luck. Tim

It looks like a great book! What is the Hass reference? I have never got into collecting these yet and have seen some real beauties. Have to be careful though, or I'll end up like Darrell; into everything!!

Great examples btw and now I know the differences between the pre/post 1956 pieces! Tim

Hi Bison! Thanks for the additional information here! So, the difference between the two examples (like the two you posted in post #13) are just, one is the official minted version and the larger one is privately manufactured? I thought it interesting that both designs carried over into the later undated versions and this probably explains why: One is the mint version and the other, privately manufactured. I only own the piece shown in post #12. The others are taken from various online sources and shown only for discussion here. Good to know on the Algeria bar, as it looked really modern to me and the wear on it didn't match to the medal. Tim

Sergi, Look like original "painted" versions to me. Is the last one you show made out of zinc? Tim

Okay, now I am the first to admit that I am limited here, as I only have a handful of these items to compare in hand and this is where I need help from those that have more knowledge and "material". So, what do you guys think, are there more comparisons? Tim

And here is the other Croix de Guerre from above compared to Guy's Albert double-A, type 7. Honestly, the differences are hard to tell between the types 7, 8, and 9 when only looking at the "A", but it's still a start and weeds out the previous types. Tim

Taking into account that the medals are of different overall designs, I can understand where they may not be 100% identical. Here's one of the Croix e Guerre above, next to one of Guy's Military Decorations; in this case, an Albert period double-A, type 5. Note the similarities. Tim

When I started collecting Belgian ODM's, I noticed some similarities between different medals and wondered if it was just common/approved designs with minor die variations between maker's, or if designs might be specific to certain time frames? Some items are easy to distingush, like the Leopold Orders. We can immediately look at the center motto and figure if it was produced before or after 1951, or note the crown differences and determine what period they come from. Same can be said on items with specific mottos ranging from the Leopold I, II, and III periods and those that have the Albert "A". These designs changed over time to designate changes in the Monarchy and it's fairly straight-forward differentiating awards of each era. Of course, if they still make items with the old marks today, then that can be problematic for collectors and we do see some items that are apparently modern restrikes of awards long past and in most cases a significant difference in quality and workmanship. When I picked up my first Military Decoration sometime ago, I immediately bounced it against Guy Deploige's site: http://users.telenet.be/deploige/OMD-DM/ What I found interesting, is that these decorations had been placed, by pattern types, and given an approximate timeline. I liked that, and have noted several dealers and collectors alike referencing his work from time to time. So, when posting some Croix de Guerre on a different thread, I had asked the question: Can we determine a similar timeline for Croix de Guerre pieces based on the motto? It went unanswered. Recently, I asked Guy if perhaps we should revisit that question. Hopefully, with the help of those members that have Croix de Guerre and Military Decorations in their collections, maybe we can figure something out. So, I'll start out showing two different Croix de Guerre reverses and you can see the differences in design. Tim

Also note, that this seller is a consignment seller: SIMPLY SOLD IS NOT THE OWNER OR SELLER OF THESE GOODS, BUT MERELY A BAILEE ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE SELLER TO FACILITATE THE SALE OF THE GOODS BY HOLDING THE GOODS UNTIL SUCH TIME AS A SALE IS COMPLETED AND THE GOODS ARE SHIPPED TO THE BUYER. Looks like buyer beware would be good advice here. I see this happening with a couple of U.K. dealers as well; listing their items on ebay through another seller (for higher prices of course) and then if one sells the item, they notify the other to pull it. Pays to shop around. Tim

Or, as I suspect, just another case where these bidders that never have any intentions of actually buying/paying for an item, jack up the price to ridiculous levels and walk away laughing. I do see this play out quite a bit on ebay and nothing ever appears to happen to them. Never know too, if the seller has a shill bidder. You might be surprised how often I get a "second-chance offer" for the amount of the second highest bid price and I just tell the seller to relist it. They usually find someone that just has to have it, but I am immediately suspicious when this happens. Tim

Hi Hugh! Yes, I know. Nothing wrong with that, I just hope other members that do have some of these will post their examples as well. The more variations of details we have to look at, the more complete reference we will have to use later. Tim

This particular Legion of Honor is also stamped with a double headed "guarantee" mark, but I think we may wait until later to discuss these guarantee stamps, or even start a separate thread so we aren't mixing apples and oranges here. Okay, so we see this "walking wolf" with the letters "G" (George) above and the "A" (Aucoc) below the wolf. But there are other marks for this maker as well as his father. I'll let Bison do the talking from here on this one. Tim

The maker's mark is on the front left suspension bar:

Hi Bison, Good to know that extra bit of info. Well, there don't seem to be many players other than you and I at this point, so I think we may move on to the next maker? I am limited here, so how about AUCOC, as they seem to be a major player in the higher end awards? As you already know... I have recently found out that my cased Aucoc Legion of Honor is in fact complete with the medal also being stamped with the "Walking Wolf mark of George Aucoc. Not sure how often we see mis-matched items in the French area of collecting but, I see it happening often in the German and Japanese areas where cases are put together with medals and often not matched up correctly. So, here goes: I'll start with a overall view of the piece in the marked case: Tim

Okay, got it. Thought the shape was a little off for a ball & flame "bomb", but understand this was a common symbol back then. On the Aucoc stamp, yes, I wondered if it might be mistamped as it appears there is a slight indentation to the right as well. It just looked like the upper left stamp might have been smaller to begin with. Either way, good information and happy to know what I know on it now. Thanks again, as always! Tim

And the more common Japanese 1942 "Paper Money issue 50 Sen note. This one is marked for Showa yr. 17 I have a couple of these and need to check the year of issue I guess. That's it for tonight. I have a lot of old Chinese paper from the war if interested? Enjoy! Tim

My last two for now are not really "Occupation Notes" but I don't think you'll mind. Here's a Japanese 1938 "Paper Money" issue 50 Sen note (Showa yr. 13). These are not as commonly found as the later 1942-44 series. Tim

100 Peso Note (ND 1944 issue).

10 Peso (ND 1943 issue):

5 Peso Note (ND 1943 issue):