JapanX

Pillars

Approximate numbers of pillars of state issued by Japan Mint by every year reader can find at the next chart.

Pillars

Let’s take a look at this statistics in graphical form.

Now let’s turn our attention to Pillars of State. Numbers for Pillars of the State according to Peterson (p. 149, 3rd edition) are Awards 1936-1940 were 47 of the 1st class, 97 of the 2nd class, 260 of the 3rd class, 657 of the 4th class, 1777 of the 5th class, 2778 of the 6th class, 9524 of the 7th class 24464 of the 8th class. 39 604 in toto

129 500 for 1934-1945 period and 99 500 for 1934-1945 period.

Clouds

Now, thanks to Rich, we have total approximate numbers of auspicious clouds issued by Japan Mint by every year. The following chart will give us a general idea about these numbers.

Clouds

Let’s take a look at this statistics in graphical form.

Clouds and Pillars: before 1940 and after … So how many of them out there? Allow me to remind you, that according to Peterson book (p. 146 of the 3rd edition) the numbers for auspicious clouds are Awards 1934-1940 were 110 of the 1st class, 187 of the 2nd class, 701 of the 3rd class, 1820 of the 4th class, 3447 of the 5th class, 6257 of the 6th class, 8329 of the 7th class 33706 of the 8th class. 54 557 in toto

With this new and very important statistical information from mint history books we could explore a very interesting statistical aspect of Manchukuo orders. Let’s do it!

Very interesting numbers Rich! Many thanks! Merry Christmas! Nick

Sad, but very true! Nick

I hope this compilation makes my point more clear. It’s obvious that only color of the enamel (less glassy for early pieces/more glassier for later pieces) and reverse type (polished for early pieces/ sandblasted or frosted for later pieces) are the only stable features. Although we could say that dull portions of the obverses that are pitted/frosted are more typical for later pieces and dull portions of the obverses that are smooth are more typical for early pieces. Of course allegedly early and allegedly late pieces. ;)

Reverses

Obverses

Please take a look at following compilation (two 4th classes and one 8th class).

And then another feature follows “…the collars of the inner beads very low and the enameled beads convexed to compensate for this”. Really?! I’ve never observed these “convexed” beads. Did you?

But why Peterson was so sure that these specimens were “struck from the same dies”? Only because “the dull portions are pitted rather than frosted…”??? But this conclusion is absolutely wrong, as we’ll see a little later. And what about pieces with polished reverses? I figure Peterson “frosted” reverse is mine “sandblasted”.

Now let’s turn our attention to the Peterson lower classes description. “The lower classes without the M are struck from the same dies as those with the M…” For openers, we need to find at least one specimen in lower classes with M mark (if such specimens really exist, then they should bear the M mark at the bottom of the reverse or at the 6 o’clock edge, so please check your specimens for me).

Reverses

Obverses

I don’t have measurements for 1st class knobs, but typical 3rd class knob has 5,8-6 mm height – not 6,5 mm as Peterson stated. And sometimes you could meet 3rd classes with polished reverses and with lower knobs. You can see these differences in the following pictures of two 3rd classes (piece with “typical 5,8-6 mm” knob is on the right and piece with smaller knob is on the left). It’s obvious from the pictures that both specimens have practically identical obverses (excerpt for the colors of central octahedron lines). “The prongs holding the pearls are tapered”… I personally don’t observe any of that “tapering”.

Sounds interesting… But I think these observations are wrong … Allow me to explain why.