Tim B

Here's a couple more that I don't own, but have seen for sale over time. All are in bronze and quite large. Tim This one is the Marne medal. Front has the 3 heros, reverse has the battle scene. Very impressive IMO.

Chris, Yes, I have had this for awhile now and had a chance for a similar one on the Marne but didn't grab it. Really a great design and the detail is incredible, though I just can't convey it here due to limited PIC sizes. I do see some of these referenced once in awhile, but I never recognized the ref they call out and assumed it was a European guide. Tim Great details!!

Thank you! Any assistance I can get in finding information on these type medals would be greatly appreciated. There appears to be several different medals commemorating WWI, the people involved and battles like Verdun, Marne, etc. Here is all I know about this specific medal, but usually there is a reference of some type that would show this and others; similar to a coin or stamp book by Krause. Large 67 mm bronze medal from the Monnaie de Paris. It has the cornucopia and Bronze on the edge. France, "Aux H?ros de Verdun 1916" (to the heroes of Verdun), bronze medal struck 1917, by Charles Pillet Obv: The French Republic places her hand on the shoulder of the French Army, the latter with sword drawn as they defy the imperial German eagle before the town of Verdun, arms of the Republic and Verdun nearby, ON NE PASSE PAS (they shall not pass) and date below Rev: A LA GLOIRE DES H?ROS DE VERDUN (To the glory of the Verdun heroes) and year within laurel wreath, medallions of Generals P?tain, Nivelle and Curi?res de Castelnau above, the decorations Croix de la L?gion d'Honneur and Croix de Guerre below Thanks again! Tim

Erik, Based on the matrix Paul provided above, yes< I would agree the rosette is for a 4th class Showa piece. R, Tim

You're right! Sorry I referenced the wrong thread. Check out the next page down and there is a thread concerning the rivets on the Order of the Sacred Treasure and Paul confirmed that the rivetless pieces are post-war. Tim

Laurence, What I understand is that the pieces with the rivets were both Meiji/Tashio and Showa period, but there are some differences in the spacing of these. If memory serves me correctly, the earlier ones were spaced closer to center and wider on later pieces. I think there is a post here at GMIC that discusses the rivets and alignment to the cuts in the medal. The ones without the rivets were post-WWII; from roughly 1946 to the 70's or 80's. Tim

Thanks for the reassurance and compliments, I had a good teacher! ...and to think my wife said, all I was, was just another pretty face. Tim

Hope that helped and didn't screw it up too bad. Here's another close-up of the medal in post #20. IMO, it's a Meiji design as the mirror looks more pointed than Showa pieces, and it was listed as Meiji. Just hard to tell I guess without actually handling several firsthand and seeing the differences. Tim

The last example is yet another Sacred Treasure, this time a 5th Class award. IMO, this is a Meiji era medal and a Showa period rosette. It came in a Meiji era case, so IMO, the rosette is probably not original to the set, but added as a replacement. As the rosette is not pleated, I assume (correct me if I am wrong Paul) that the rosette is actually for a 6th class award, but again, I am still learning too. I show this only to kind of clear up the differences between the pleated and stripped rosette centers. Tim

Next, we see another Sacred Treasure, this time a 3rd Class. The medal and lapel device (rosette in this case) are Showa period and this also came in a Showa era case. Again, IMO, all original to each other. Note the "pleats" to the center fabric. I believe these pleats were on 5th class awards and higher for Showa period and just the little "strips" of material on the lower awards. Tim

Erik, I'm still learning and will try to answer your question if I can. I will use three examples of items I have saved PICS to, not necessarily my stuff here, but think it will help. If not, I am sure Paul will correct me and we both will learn! Here is a Order of the Sacred Treasure (6th Class) and you can see both the medal and lapel device are both Meiji style. It came in a Meiji era case as well. So, IMO, all original to each other. Note how the lapel device is circular. Now, how to tell the differences between a 6th and higher award lapel device is beyond me at this point. Tim

Erik, I tend to agree it would make sense to use up any old or existing stock if available. I was kind of surprised to read Paul's comment about the lack of any supply stock on these, so...? On the lapel devices; the pleated comment Paul made (and Paul can correct me if I screw this up) refers to the pleats in the center of the rosette on the Showa era pieces and the way they tied the ribbon in a circular pattern (vice bow-tie) on the earlier Meiji/Tashio devices. I will try to post a couple examples a little later that may be of help. Tim

Paul, Thanks for that and all the help via emails lately! Thought I better start asking my questions here and increasing the number of my posts so I can eventually get the benefits of regular membership, like increased PIC sizes. I kind of figured that one of these just might be a put together, but wanted to see if anyone had seen something that had a Tashio provenance that matched. I also noticed that the vein differences also apply to the other award levels and not just the 8th class. I have seen the longer veins on as high as a 3rd class as well. I noted that appeared to be an earlier sunburst design with the shorter rays. Two more questions concerning the 6th class and higher awards: First, is it correct that the earlier Meiji/Tashio awards had the shorter rays (on the sunburst) and longer veins (on the leaves), while the Showa pieces have the longer rays and shorter veins? In all cases? Second, the one Rising Sun 6th class that I currently own has a pretty flat red meatball in the center. I notice some that appear to be more domed shape in pictures. Did that change or are they all flat and it is just a lighting effect? Thanks again, Tim

This is quite large and stamped bronze on the edge. I really like it and have seen a few other medals similar to this theme. Reverse:

Does anybody know if there is a printed reference book/guide for medals like this and if so, where I might find one? Thanks, Tim Front:

After reading this thread I have started to note the differences between the veins more and more on these awards. As I still see some sets for sale that seem to be made up of different era pieces, am I to assume these sets are made up to sell, or were they actually awarded using these pieces? I assume for Meiji era awards, the button lapel device was always a ribbon bow, while the Showa era awards used the round rosette device. What about the Tashio era? Was there a different device used, or a transition period using leftover stock from Meiji period and eventually using the rosette? I also notice this with the cases. We know (shown in other threads) what the Meiji era characters look like and what the Showa era looked like, but is there a different style for the Tashio period? The same question above concerning the lapel device also applies to the case. I ask as I have two cases (both Order of the Rising Sun 8th Classes) that are similar but not the same. One (right) is clearly Meiji period; the case lettering, medal with the longer veins, and the ribbon bow all denote Meiji period, but the other (left) has slightly different lettering (clearly not Showa period) and closely resembles Meiji in style, but...the medal has the shorter veins and a round rosette lapel device. So, is it just a case (no pun intended) variation from a different maker? Or, is this possibly an example of a Tashio era award? I'm just learning, so be paitient. Tim

Marc, Three I do not have and two that I really want. Congrats! Tim

Eric, I am one of those that prefers buntmetal to zinc, but both of yours are very nice and I especially like that GCB! I was going to say possibly Gustav Brehmer with that eagle and type catch, but I am not sure. It's very nice though! Tim

Very nice and don't let Gordon fool you, he loves all u-boat badges! Tim

Absolutely agree, these are very nice, both in design and quality of finish. Tim