JapanX

Variation 2

Variation 1 was issued shortly after 1932 (after 1931?). Reverse inscription says "Independent Guard Unit. Victorious return. Commemorative badge"

The short story of KVZhD http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Eastern_Railway These badges are nicely designed and very rare. Let`s examine these Manchu-japanese rarities Variation 1

With later type

With another twice hero

With daughter

Alexandre Molodchiy and his Combat Banner

Glad you liked it Dark What we really need now is the copy of Ray Czahor's "A Study of the Die Varities of Philippine/Japanese Homma Medals" Cheers, Nick

Naturally enough I immediately wrote him a letter ... Asked him about all possible info that he can share about Homma medal and its variations ... But until now - no response ... Well, I don`t blame him Cheers folks, Nick

I was like WHAT?! 30?!?! And then I found these photos ... I guess they were made at this 2008 forum. Not 30 , but 23 piece for sure. Including original bronze trials!!!

The material for this posting was practically ready when I found this short note from 6th ANNUAL PHILIPPINE COLLECTORS FORUM (PCF) AT THE ANA WORLDS FAIR OF MONEY that was held on August 1, 2008 "Mr. Ray Czahor made a brief presentation entitled "A short discussion of the Japanese Homma Medal and Varieties". This medal was given to Japanese soldiers for their victory in conquering Fort Corregidor Island and the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines during the opening months of WWII. They are interesting and desirable because they are very scarce and some were over- struck on the smaller U.S.-Philippine pesos. To own one is a prize in any collection. Ray provided a very professional handout on the results of his exhaustive study entitled: "A Study Of The Die Varieties Of Philippine/Japanese Homma Medals". This will now allow any one to decipher what variety they may own, and help in their authentication. Ray also put together a display of 30 Homma medals and lead trial strikes of various kinds/ varieties. Due to the rarity of these pieces this was an amazing feat, Thank you Ray, for your efforts, and scholarly presentation."

Now the only question is why there are so many variations and two variants (i.e. silver and bronze?) ... Especially since it is widely belived that "It has been estimated that only a few hundred of these medals were actually struck and given to Homma's officers. So few have survived that many coin and medal collectors have never even seen them!" (for full text go to http://corregidor.org/chs_trident/homma/homma_01.htm ) Hmmm...

Interesting that American Numismatic Society have bronze (!!!) version in its collection. The description from the catalogue BRONZE GILT MEDAL of Homma Descriptive Information Object Type: MEDAL Date on Object: 1942 Manufacture: cast Material: BRONZE GILT Measurements: 35.5 mm Shape: round Department: Medal References Basso-150 Administrative History Previous Collection: Niles, Eleanor Perez Issuer: Homma, Gen. Masaharu Region: Philippines Mint: Crispulo Zamora, Manila Event: Commemorate the capture of Bataan and Corregidor by the Japanese Obverse Legend: COMMEMORATING THE EXPEDITION TO THE PHILIPPINES. Obverse Type: Japanese soldier in battle dress looking towards the Island of Corregidor. Reverse Legend: 9-vertical line poem by General Homma on the Japanese conquest. Reverse Type: Two coconut trees with fronds.

No so long ago this B1 without the loop was sold at ebay

and B1 with the loop.