JapanX

and pieces from Showa (“modern” pieces) this one (type 3)

Are the inscriptions on reverses helpful in dating of rising suns in two lower (7th and 8th) classes? Let’s get it straight right now! Well, the legend says that Meiji pieces (or “old” pieces) should have this type of inscription (type 1)

As far as I know these medals don't have any mint marks. Around 4-6 o´clock a.m. by Moscow time ... hehehe ;)

Completely agree with this diagnostic procedure Risk-free choice Regards, Nick

PM was sent.

At the beginning it was oil... And now we export Manchu stuff ... And quite successfully I might add Cheers, Nick

Yep, this is rare. According to James Peterson it may have been a personal award from Emperor Pu-Yi (see p. 157, 3rd edition). He called it "National Foundation Commemorative Medal" and wrote that it was probably established on March 1, 1933 by Edict No. 11. This medal has a plush case with velvet exterior (this is real rare!) and inscription on the inside lid ("National Foundation, Imperial Event Commemorative"). For the pictures of the box and interesting Rich comments see http://www.imperialjapanmedalsandbadges.com/mannatfouncom.html The medal from eBay is authentic - no doubt about it (there are at least two different types of low quality fakes in circulation) But the closed price is unreal! Another case of Winner's Curse! Regards, Nick P.S. Nice helmet Jareth ;)

The possible reasons 1) pure unblended madness 2) this is the first Japanese item in the collection of the winner 3) buyers were too competitive + got too exited In my profession they call this "Winner's Curse"! (for brief introduction see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winner's_curse) Cheers, Nick

Thank you very much Gentleman's for your comments! Regards, Nick

Maybe this was a mistake Dating rising suns through reverse inscription style is as problematic, as dating them by veins. If piece has reverse with 2a/2b/2c features, then this piece belong to Meiji, but the opposite statement will be false. That is not every rising sun order from Meiji or Taisho epoch obliged to has 2a/2b/2c features on reverse. There are Meiji and Taisho specimens with 3a/3b/3c type reverses. Feature 2b and 2c show instability even among "pure Meiji" pieces. 2a is the most stable sign of "pure Meiji" pieces. 2b is second best, but more unstable. I am afraid that 2a/2b/2c and 3a/3b/3c will work stably only in case of comparison "pure Meiji" piece and "made after 30s" piece. Of course I don't examine in person this group that we are talking about. But I really like the homogeneous patina, although ribbons looks like they are later replacements. But the auction house has good reputation (so I don't think that they "doctored" this group). And even more important - I believe that there were several different manufacturers between 1900s and 1920s (to say nothing about earlier times) and they were using slightly different dies. That's why the probability of parallel existence of different types during this time period is pretty high.

As I understand because i.e. kanji style on reverse in points 3a, 3b, 3c was "post-war" style? Correct? P.S. If you are right, then somebody paid on September 23, 2011 exactly 1300 pounds sterling for doctored group ... If it is indeed doctored of course...

Side effect of permanent struggle for "efficiency enhancement" and "modernization"? :lol:

Frank, here you can find the regulation for all official decorations of this department http://www.fskn.gov.ru/pages/main/info/peopleware/5169/index.shtml http://www.fskn.gov.ru/pages/main/info/peopleware/9509/index.shtml Cheers, Nick

Actually there is a probability (pretty low ) that this was an honest mistake of the amateur seller. The emblem of this department ("ФСКН - Федеральная служба РФ по контролю за оборотом наркотиков" http://www.fskn.gov.ru/eng.shtml) is indeed snake pierced by the sword... http://www.знаки-медали.рф/znaki-medali.html?page=shop.browse&category_id=26 "New badge" definitely has too many snakes :)

That's why many Muscovites don't have personal cars

"Main history guy" of "Flying Tiger Historical Organization" ... No wonder he is "too busy" "...sell the same medals on ebay and his buying history shows he bought many from China" Too many good things?! Even for "main history guy" of Flying Tigers :lol: Regards, Nick

How you been HC? Basis - pure fantasy! In some sense these are pure phalerstical pieces Some crazy mix of Warlords era decorations and modern Taiwan ones. Yep. The ribbons looks really nice for usual modern "made in China" fakes. I guess this is another little step toward perfection I don't think that they sell them separately These are the stars of our show Crème de la crème of chinese fakes!!! :lol:

You're darn tooting, Sailor! By the way, the name of this seller (blue transparent letters) is "impact" ... Regards, Nick P.S. Frank do you know this site? If no, you might find it interesting JIC http://www.знаки-медали.рф/znaki-medali.html?page=shop.browse&category_id=2

But it will be wrong to conclude that every piece from Meiji epoch should have such vein!!! I hope that settles the matter. Regards, Nick

I hope now you understand more clearly my dear colleagues why I permit myself to make this statement

Nice! But even nicer is the date when our hero received his 8th class of Rising Sun Order. April 6, 1918 (according to London Gazette)!!! I think we are done with Taisho epoch either!

Richard Charles Trevithick was born in St. Ives, Cornwall in January 1886 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in January 1903. Advanced to Able Seaman in August 1906, he was serving in the battle cruiser H.M.S. Indefatigable on the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, and remained similarly employed until coming ashore to Vivid I in October 1915. Returning to sea with an appointment in the sloop Gladiolus from January to November 1916, he removed to the Ribola on the Mediterranean Station in the following month, in which ship he was awarded his D.S.M. and served until joining the destroyer Acheron in July 1917. Having then ended the War in the Acheron, he was demobilized in April 1919, but served in the Royal Fleet Reserve until June 1921.

From left to right: Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (224420 R. C. Trevithick, A.B., Mediterranean Station, 1917); 1914-15 Star (224420 R. C. Trevithick, A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (224420 R. C. Trevithick, A.B., R.N.); Order of the Rising Sun, 8th Class.

Group

Well, it appears that we are done with Meiji! Let’s draw our attention to Taisho epoch! What we have here is a WWI group of five awarded to Able Seaman R. C. Trevithick, Royal Navy.