Tim B

Hi Erik! Yes, I have seen this on Meiji style awards and discussing this issue with one of the Japanese dealers, he states the earlier ones were in fact engraved by hand. I see this trait on my awards as well. However, I guess what I am asking here is: Is there a noticable difference in the "mirror" between the Meiji and Showa Sacred Treasures at the 7th and 8th grade awards?? I have seen many for sale, but never one with the more rounded mirror at these two levels. Thank you for responding!! Tim

Ed, Yes, clearly a Showa era piece. Still, it is in very nice condition; congrats! Tim

This one is nicely marked with what appears to be a "N" or "Z".

I thought I read something somewhere here that these medals actually had two variations, with one being more recessed or deeply stamped than the other. I've searched back and forth but can't find what I read. Any help? Tim

And here is my 7th Class; This one is Meiji period and comes in a Meiji case and has the bow style lapel device. Again, the pointed mirror looks the same to me, but in this case I would expect it for a Meiji period award. Tim

Here's my 8th Class; it is supposedly a Showa piece and comes with a Showa case and rosette, but notice how pointed the mirror is. Tim

Well, lots of looks but no comments over at WAF, so thought I would try it over here and see what kind of inputs I get. I am curious about the mirrors on these awards. For those that have any in your collections, post some of your medals. One of the things I am curious about concerns the mirror on the lower 8th and 7th class awards. So far, I have yet to see any differences in mirrors on these two lower classes when comparing the Meiji to Showa medals. I'll start out posting a comparison shot of two 6th class awards and you can see the mirror differences on these, but I do not see these larger, more rounded mirrors on the lower two classes. Has anybody? Tim Meiji on the left, Showa on the right:

Very nice! First time I have seen this particular striking. Tim

Hi Paul, Yes, at first I thought this might be a Tashio period Kite, but I just do not see the roundel (loop hole) on the belt and the roundels on the lower part appear to be placed farther down than those of the Meiji style; so I had to ask. Still, a very nice looking bar! Tim

That's a very nice set and a lovely medal bar! Correct me if I am wrong, the Kite appears to be a Showa era piece based on the kite's wingtips and lack of the extra roundel on the right section of the medal. I have to ask then if it matches the set? Or, does this mean that the medal (Golden Kite) itself was actually awarded later for previous deeds during the Meiji era? Tim

...but, don't underate the Liberty double eagle, they are pretty sharp looking too! Enjoy! TIm

...the Saint Gaudens Double-Eagle has been a favorite of numismatic investors for a long, long time. For good reason, they are incredibly beautiful! I especially like the reverse, the eagle is just majestic flying over the sun. Tim

This one is supposedly from the 1950's, but I am not sure. You can see that the reverse has changed by this time as well.

Here's a couple more that I do not own, but are currently on eBay. The first one is dated 1925 and as you can see the reverse matches the first one shown in this thread. The date is left of the girl's back under the "M".

...and they are quite large at 3 inches in diameter.

The Medallic Art Company of New York made these and these are stamped bronze.

The reverse:

Here's a better picture of the obverse. Nice details and design IMO. Tim

Not something I normally collect, but I really liked the design after seeing one pictured in a brochure for "The Military Advisor", winter 2002/2003 issue. I do not have the issue. There is no date stamped on the piece however, I see the number "22" lower center and wonder if this means 1922? Anybody know for sure? I do see the front design changed over time and eventually the reverse as well. Anyone else collect these medals? Tim

Hello Veteran! Well, I am actually using an old digital camera with only 3.2 megapixels, but it does have a macro zoom that does quite well. I can produce much better PICS, but as a probationary member am limited to 65kb right now. Hopefully that will improve in time. Macro is the key to taking close-ups like this though. More megapixels will give you better details and allow you to enlarge more without losing the sharpness. I hope to upgrade one day to a nice Nikon with at least 10 megapixels and a really good macro on it. Thanks for the compliments and help here! Cheers! Tim

Hey, Thanks again for the additional info! Also, here's the edge mint mark..bronze with cornocopia. Tim

Not much information on the site and no reference to past medals actually produced. Appears the "Catalogue general illustre des Editions de la Monnaie de Paris" is a multi-volume reference of at least three and possibly as many as six books, somewhat rare or hard to find and not cheap. All text in French as well. I'll keep looking, but thanks again for the info. Tim

Good Morning! I'll check out the site; many thanks! Tim

Yes! If I ever get the chance to go down to Key West, I want to visit the museum that has many of Mel Fisher's finds. Watched a program on either the Discovery or History Channel (?) and it showed the story of his ongoing exploits and all the artifacts brought up. I would love to go down and dive with this outfit for a summer and just work for free, what a experience that would be! Tim

One more for now, but I have more examples of different scenes. Whether these are period pieces verse later commemoratives for veterans I don't know, and is one of the reasons I am seeking a good reference for these medals. Tim