Dieter3

Hi Mickey, Never say never! You may one day end up with an original of either the 1874 or the Great East Asia War Medal! These medals are definitely of higher grade than the ones in plastic cases overall. Not that the others are low quality, they are good too - but yes, the plastic case is, well, plastic. And the medals of course are not silver, unlike your new acquisition! I'm still not sure what the ribbon material is, wool? Unwatered silk? I'm not a textiles expert. Nick? Here is one in my collection. It included the original paper box and a mini-info document. The company on the document existed from 1967 to 1987 when I believe it was bought out, or changed names, or something, but it still exists in some form under a different name now or evolution. The fitted interior of my case was actually loose and I took it out and it revealed the number shown in the photo. (Is yours loose? I'd be interested to see what number yours has!) These are really nice medals.

Nice little Risign Sun with Paulownia Flowers:

Second that!!

First Class Medal 善 charity 紀念章 commemorative medal Hi David, Thanks for showing! Do know on this one what the background is for being commemorative?

Well, if we can even call it a set! I don't how the seller managed to get so many of these medals and documents to sell at the same time. Maybe he had a thing for this award and that's all he collected! But my guess is there were a bunch of docs and awards and they simply got paired any which way. I'm suspect as to whether or not they are indeed a TRUE match

I just wish my camera, skills, lighting, and set up were better than what I have. These look much better in person!

Thank you gents. I'm glad I managed to get it. And it really wasn't that expensive. Even though it is less common than some documents, these don't seem to fetch the price of some of the others. I guess since it is such a common medal they simply don't have the demand (which is good for my wallet!). I'm hoping to find one in better condition someday, but who knows if that'll happen.

Glad to know, thanks! And I will definitely post pics of the 6th Class doc., who knows when, but it will happen!

Some creases, wrinkles, and stains, but no holes or tears. I love the fact that the medal is shown on these documents. #52,676, awarded to Ms. Takako Murakami on November 10, 1940.

A little stainey and wrinkly but beggars shouldn't be choosers on this document! Awarded to Mr. Choujirou Shimizu, May 1st, 1931. Document# 11,176. Watermarked. Interesting with the green color and all, but not quite as elegant in my opinion without the image of the actual medal, or at least a gold chrysanthemum!

O.K., here it is. Finally! Som no watermarks and the orchid crest lacks the gold finish. It would seem like the gold was never applied, but I'm really not sure. This appears to have been awarded posthumously to a Mr. Kai Yonekichito and presented to oneof his relatives, possibly his wife, a Sumiko Yonekichi. #78809 given on November 25th, 1940. (I don't know how to read the kanji for the Chinese year.) The names and document# appear to be added after the fact in ink, not printed, which would be correct. I also have a 6th Class Golden Kite (yes, eventually I'll get photos!) for the same person that is authentic, so I don't know why this one would be a fake, but interesting that it lacks in certain features. Opinons? Yes, the shape is funny because I seriously cropped the edges to hide the magnets holding the document to the board. Sorry. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6375-0-22324300-1363151272.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6375-0-11508500-1363151327.jpg

Here 'tis! Document# 147,012, awarded September 26th, 1973 to Eiko Yoikazu. At least I think that's the name. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6375-0-31077200-1363144092.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6375-0-86705100-1363144095.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6375-0-45114400-1363144097.jpg Interesting that the medal has such a blue ribbon, not even close to the real color.

Yeah, this one is sweet! Lovely lacquer case and the little hanger bar is with it too. So, at least 3 flavors of these!

Showa 40 something, I think it is 1973 if I remember correctly? I'll check when I photo! Patina? What patina?

Got this one with document. God only knows if the document is REALLY matched to the award. The seller had several of these up for sale at the same tine, one of them is currently on eBay with a document in two separate auctions. The document came in a tube, but the two halves were clearly mismatched so the original seller may have just mixed and matched medals and documents too. I have yet to photograph the document. Soon. Anyway, here's the medal. Far from perfect, but not bad overall:

Yep! Totally serious! Just gotta keep your eyeballs peeled! They do show up. These are not rare awards, so you will be able to find a good one without too much trouble.

Actually, I just remembered I saved these photos from a recent auction, wish I had this baby in my collection! : http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6375-0-33606000-1363104674.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6375-0-12288600-1363104682.jpg

Yeah, they weren't shy about these! I'm going to dig more to see what, if anything, I can find out about these fellows, but my guess is it will be a wild goose chase. I'm definitely going to keep my eyes open for more of these beauties!

Well, you do not sound stupid at all for asking such a question My observations place these in the $120-$160 range. I paid right around $130.00 for this one, and I was quite happy with that price given the condition.

Upside down latches? Interesting twist! Very nice badges Mickey.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6375-0-33873500-1363093551.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6375-0-84738500-1363093553.jpg

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6375-0-18135500-1363093505.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6375-0-52815400-1363093507.jpg

I've posted the green/white one before, but I'll put it here again to contrast with the red/white one which is a recent acquisition. A pair of Agriculture Association medals. These are neat medals. A bit hard to read in the photos, but the cases indicate the ribbon colors respectively. Nicely fitted cases that for some reason place the medal way north, which appears a bit odd to me. And the medals are named on the reverse, which is a plus in my book. Not that I'll ever be able to figure anything out about the gentlemen that received them, but makes them more personal anyway. Yeah, not as sexy as a war medal or an order, but still worthy of recognition. Is anybody familiar with other varieties of these awards? http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6375-0-36720200-1363093456.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6375-0-90122200-1363093458.jpg

Hi Alex, Don't wish for one, just acquire! Fortunately, the 6th class isn't too expensive so you should be able to find a nice one for a reasonable price