JapanX

Classy!

Yep, it`s our repbeauty Thanks!

This + I read the Sun every day ... Refined "new Russian"

Definitely! You are intriguing me :whistle:

Hello Rob, Yes. It's unusual, but not awfully unusual. By the way, red cross medal is missing too Regards, Nick

Doubing Thomas 5 rays (actually 5 bunches of rays) = 4th class Lately it was back of the photo, now napkins ... What's next?! :whistle:

I actually like this practically black patina Looks like brass to me Hmmm... I agree that older pieces usually have more transparent enamel with herring-bone pattern embossed in the silver. But I saw older pieces with opaque blue enamel and after-1980 pieces with transparent one. I'll make a small gallery in a couple of days and we graphically discuss this pattern Feels like this one will be another 10+ pages thread Regards, Nick

Hi Rich, I completely agree with your scenario for Showa medal. Looks like next of kin work to me... Also a strong argument for this bar is that triangle ribbon for sacred treasure order has worn spot on the left side (clear indication of how long this order was first in this bar). Rich, please send photos to me and I'll post them tomorrow Cheers, Nick

Definitely! But it could be a later replacement, because order itself looks a little bit older Their reaction was surprisingly quick Practically a direct quote from Maj. Gen. Luo Shou-he statement! Cheers, Nick

She sounds like a real professional ...

We really like mysteries Jean-Paul Not to mention the beauty and rarity (209 in toto)/(uniqueness (if it was Chiang's) of this order! Thanks for bringing it up! Regards, Nick

Exactly! Where from this info about exclusivity of "Special One" came from? We don't know. But Spink definitely like this hypothesis

Airport shop full of replicas .... Exactly what a tired traveler needs .. . Thanks for this info F! Regards, Nick

Cool! Maybe even some kind photo report? Old look vs. New one (after putting treasure at the first place and getting off the Showa piece) Cheers, Nick

Close up`s

Now something new. New manufacturer. New (much higher) quality. 6th class

Old buddy ...