Dieter3

All right, this site is too quiet! Time to post something - recent acquisition, merit medal with blue ribbon, pretty nice overall condition:

Yeah, I'd imagine this insignia was made for this particular occasion.

Here's an intriguing little item - a small brick (bricklet? ) with an embedded Imperial Guard insignia badge. This brick came from the former barracks used by the 4th and 6th Guard Regiments in Tokyo. If I understand correctly, a few years after the war, the barracks became occupied by Kokugakuin High School. Torn down in 1977 to make way for a new campus, some of the original bricks were saved, decorated, and cased - and I assume given to members of the regiments. The high school still exists. If you click the link, notice the logo in the upper left corner to be the same as the case lid logo, which I guess isn't necessarily all that remarkable, but still kinda neat when you can connect things like this: Kokugakuin High School

Yes, the wrapper is indeed a huge bonus in my opinion! It really is nice to be able to tie things together the way these do. I found it interesting as well to see the month scripted on the paper with the old style kanji for "3". I do have a single specimen with the "Y" hallmark, and it came in one of those half black/half purple cases. I wonder if this is simply coincidental or unique to the "Y" marked ones? I haven't paid close enough attention, plus most auctions the sellers do not mention the marks at all. Trying to figure out why exactly there are black cases, purple cases, and hybrids. And now I know what the "Y" stands for!! I'll need to hunt one down with the wrapper The "S" though.....the majority seem to be this variety. Do the wrappers not indicate the maker on these?? Especially for these low prices!! These things really aren't pricey at all and fine examples are out there! So get to it!! :lol:

Here's anew arrival, courtesy of Imperial Japan Medals. A spot of soil on the back of the ribbon, but otherwise excellent and gorgeous. The case is nice, some interior foxing but solid. This one has the "M" hallmark from the Osaka mint. These seem to be a lot less common than most other hallmarks. Wrapping paper included, an extra bonus!

Thanks! The case is in really nice shape, not perfect, but I think it did well to have been inside the wrapper and paper box. The box is really nice too, a few specks and spots here and there, but not damaged or scuffed. It was a fortunate find. You and me both!! I'm in "photo-mode" this weekend though - hoping tomorrow since I have the day off......!!!

Somebody tell me this is a rare coin in the lower corner - I have not idea what it is and the picture isn't good, but it must be rare, otherwise this was a pricey Taisho Enthronement medal at ¥28,200!!! http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2011/post-6375-0-80914400-1306684539.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2011/post-6375-0-11038100-1306684556.jpg

I couldn't believe it, this one came up shortly after the one I posted above, and I managed to get it. It's in pretty nice shape. Some wear to the metal/finish, but the ribbon is pretty nice as is the rest of the package. Came with the original box and cellophane (?) wrapper. Interestingly, the bar is different than the typical Great East Asia War medal bar (as pointed out above) and the reverse inscription has two extra kanji at the bottom that the more common version does not. Of course most notably, the insignia in the middle being different from the typical mum. The case seems the same, though this case varies from the one above, at least the kanji style look a little different to me. Anyway, here it is:

Thanks! The Red Cross medals have got to be my favorite subgroup of Japanese medals.

Regardless, the medal looks to be a nice specimen and the photo is neat too.

Hi Josef, Very nice! I'm guessing that our two are from the same time. One key feature they seem to share - the small red cross - it's "fat"!! Later pieces all seem to have a cross of different dimensions. One other feature that's hard to see in the pics. is that the enamel is also somewhat recessed, not flush with the metal like later pieces. (Is yours??) Your medal is much nicer than mine as mine is missing the center part on the reverse and the stripes have faded on the front of the ribbon. These two though with the leather-wrapped cases are very uncommon best I can tell, especially the woman's version. Fantastic piece! (Let me know if you want to sell it ever!! ).

Thanks Rich! I figured those docs. were selling high because the person must have been well-known/famous - there couldn't be that many crazy bidders! Thank you for the knowledge!:beer:

Very interesting set of documents went on Yahoo! Japan this AM, looks like to two buyers with deep pockets!! The auctions went on for quite some time, interesting to watch the back-and-forth bids! Looks like the recipient of these documents had a long career from the Russo-Japan War thru WWII - based on which documents were being sold. His Russo-Japan campaign medal certificate went for 22,000 yen, nearly $250!! All of the documents went for big money - this one went for about the going price of the the actual medal itself, a Sacred Treasure 2nd Class document in not so great condition for 101,000 yen. Phew!! This may or may not be insane, I don't know anything about the recipient - but somebody here will, and this must explain the high prices - I hope! Any info on this person would be appreciated!

Nothing unusual in and of itself, just a normal life member medal, but I thought the basic member's case was interesting. I had not seen a wooden basic member's case until I got this one recently. I thought it was interesting that it appears to made by the same business in Tokyo that made some of the lacquer cases for the special membership and order of merit for the Red Cross. Perhaps a personally upgraded case from the paper boxes?? And then I can only guess that the medal was either just placed with the case, or perhaps the original recipient upgraded to a life membership. If anybody has any thoughts, I'd appreciate them!

Thanks Rich. That's as good as it gets on the pic. too, I just saved it from the actual auction, and I can't read the inscription on the bar either. (I just don't know why so many sellers don't strive for better pics.??) Gotta wonder just how many more fascinating variants there are on this medal...!!??

This seems to be an interesting variant of the Great East Asia War medal - notice the mum in the center is not a mum!!! Has anybody ever seen this variant? I'm wondering if this is an actual "official" variant, or if somebody did this one up special? I can't quite make out the kanji on the case with my eyes but I think it is the usual kanji for the Great East Asia war medal.....??