JapanX

Reverses

Obverses

When exactly Variation B has replaced Variation A?

I don’t know that for sure (Osaka Mint people know this for sure). But Variation B was definitely created only in the second half of the last century. And there are too many pieces of Variation B in the market. “Too many” if this type was manufactured only during 90s (or even 80s).

And then there is Variation C.

I think that Variation C is immediate relative to Variation D.

Some photos to support my point of view.

Variation D (“modern two screws”)

Variation C (“two screws”)

Variation B (“glue”)

Variation A (4 rivets)

Let me explain in every detail why I allow myself to attribute Igor 5^th class to specific time period (to be exact circa 1975-1995). I think that after WW II there were four different variations (or types) of sacred treasure order. Here they are in chronological order on an example of 5^th class.

I would say that this is from the post 1945 period but pre 1956 when the names changed. I have seen this type of box a few times in Japan, it is definitely not something that was "homemade". Red Cross awards are difficult to date since the cases changed so often !

I don`t think that this is mass production quality Paul.

This is more like "Hecho a mano" production style.

Of course this is only my subjective point of view.

Nick

I think the idea of dating a medal to the case that it is in, could be quite risky!

Richard

Very true!

Hi Pieter!

If its not too much to ask - can you post number for 3,4,5,6 and 7 classes for Meiji and Taisho epochs.

If you have them of course.

Thanks

Nick

Usually doesn't mean always .

Here type 7.2 with a sandblasted reverse.

But I never met type 7.1 with sandblasted reverse.

Here's what I believe - the lack of screws I believe is a very late war feature, but also carried into later production when it was resumed. The only reason I say this is because of a few specimens I have observed at auction in Japan that included documents, dated Showa 19 (1944). My theory is that when production was resumed this construction was still used for a little while and then the screws were adopted soon thereafter. Later specimens that included documents at auction show these screws not to mention - current Sacred Treasure uses these screws in construction, so I don't think it could be recent unless they flip-flopped on construction techniques, which doesn't make sense.

I believe it went: Rivets -> Plain -> Screws

No??

Yes. I think that two screws on reverse belong to 1995-2003 time period - direct predecessor of modern type (technologies are almost identical). No doubt about it (in my mind ). I will post good photos tommorow.

Plain reverse direct predecessor of two screws. I can't define its time borders accurately. But this is not penultimate type.

But it is exact not post-war speciments (again in my mind ). I called them glue-type (it really holds everything together ). Documented groups could easely be created (let me put it this way) artificially. :(

Hello! I'll have to look more closely - but it appears the case is all one blend of Bakelite, I'll check it again though! It's pretty good if it was home-made! Why do you hypothesize that that it is self-made?

Hi Dieter!

Certainly I meant that this box was at least partly home-made (do-it-your-self-style) (sorry for "self-made" its my russism ). Take a good look at the boderline of the top + I`ve never seen such clasp on order boxes. This type of clasp belong to the badges boxes. And then strange overall form of the box. This is mine reasons

"It's pretty good if it was home-made!" - I completely agree.

Cheers,

Nick

Another angle.

Precious document!

Official photo.

Procedure.

Meet distinguished Mrs. Natalia Aleksandrovna Maksimova russian painter and holder of the 5^th class.

Ceremony procedure seems to be rather standardized (tray, pictures ...)

Another picture.

Meet distinguished Mrs. Valentina Aleksandrovna Kalinina teacher of Japanese language and holder of the 5^th class.

... Anybody have any ideas?

I have one Dieter.

Internal furniture of the box and top layer of lacquer top are authentic.

Order and rosette - authentic.

Everything else - self made (the rest of the box).

Of course this is only a hypothesis. :)

Type 7.3

Type 7.2

Types 7.1 and 7.2 usually have polished or plain reverses, type 7.3 usually has sandblasted reverse.

Let`s look more closely at 7.2 and 7.3 (type 7.1 you can find above).