Order of the Sacred Treasures

[Tim B]

Well, lots of looks but no comments over at WAF, so thought I would try it over here and see what kind of inputs I get.

I am curious about the mirrors on these awards. For those that have any in your collections, post some of your medals. One of the things I am curious about concerns the mirror on the lower 8th and 7th class awards. So far, I have yet to see any differences in mirrors on these two lower classes when comparing the Meiji to Showa medals.

I'll start out posting a comparison shot of two 6th class awards and you can see the mirror differences on these, but I do not see these larger, more rounded mirrors on the lower two classes. Has anybody?

Tim

Meiji on the left, Showa on the right:

Edited September 4, 2007 by Tim B

[Tim B]

Here's my 8th Class; it is supposedly a Showa piece and comes with a Showa case and rosette, but notice how pointed the mirror is.

Tim

[Tim B]

And here is my 7th Class; This one is Meiji period and comes in a Meiji case and has the bow style lapel device. Again, the pointed mirror looks the same to me, but in this case I would expect it for a Meiji period award.

Tim

Edited September 4, 2007 by Tim B

[SWE Erik]

This is an old order. It has many small details that differ from the later ones. It is smaller and thinner and the inscription on the reverse is stamped by hand and the characters were not made in one strike.

/Erik

[SWE Erik]

closeup

[Tim B]

Hi Erik!

Yes, I have seen this on Meiji style awards and discussing this issue with one of the Japanese dealers, he states the earlier ones were in fact engraved by hand. I see this trait on my awards as well. However, I guess what I am asking here is: Is there a noticable difference in the "mirror" between the Meiji and Showa Sacred Treasures at the 7th and 8th grade awards?? I have seen many for sale, but never one with the more rounded mirror at these two levels.

Thank you for responding!!

Tim

[SWE Erik]

Hi Erik!

Yes, I have seen this on Meiji style awards and discussing this issue with one of the Japanese dealers, he states the earlier ones were in fact engraved by hand. I see this trait on my awards as well. However, I guess what I am asking here is: Is there a noticable difference in the "mirror" between the Meiji and Showa Sacred Treasures at the 7th and 8th grade awards?? I have seen many for sale, but never one with the more rounded mirror at these two levels.

Thank you for responding!!

Tim

Well I don't have it with me but from memory I would say that the mirror is slightly larger and rounder than other orders.

Hope this helps.

/Erik

[Tim B]

Hi Erik!

Actually another member at WAF (Andrew) posted an example in 7th class of what I think is a Showa piece based on the mirror. His is in a Meiji era case.

Note: I'll post the PIC here for continuity but remove it if Andrew wants it down.

At least I know now that the medal style did change for all levels when comparing Showa/Meiji pieces.

Tim

Edited September 5, 2007 by Tim B

[Taz]

Order of the Sacred Treasures 8th Class.

[Taz]

Order of the Sacred Treasures 8th Class in more detail.