Show Your Japanese Medal Hallmarks & Maker's Marks

[TracA]

It has been just under three months since I posted in this thread. I recently filled a hole in my collection by purchasing an Order of the Sacred Treasure 4th Class with the two screw reverse. I figured that there would be a hallmark on the reverse of the ball and yes, yes there was.

 

The mark is NK and although Medals of Asia does not have this specific two-letter mark, it does have an NE and an NL, September 30, 1992 and April 29, 1993, respectively. A well known user on War Relics Forum believes that on JapanX’s list the first letter is likely the year of manufacture and the second letter/digit is likely some sort of lot number designation. At first I assumed that was a reasonable interpretation, and it might very well be true, but on JapanX’s list there are a lot of first position alpha characters that cross years: for example, A is from 1979 to 1981; B is from 1980 to 1981, but there is also an entry for 2007; C is from 1981 to 1982, but there is an entry for 1985, 1986, 1989, and 2008.

 

What I can say about the date of this piece is to repeat what JapanX has posted here on GMIC: two screw reverses date from 1982/83 to 2003. See https://gmic.co.uk/topic/58229-sacred-treasures-with-flat-reversetwo-screws-reverse-when-this-change-occurred/?_fromLogin=1.

 

It is a beautiful piece and I paid extra for it because there is almost no tarnish to the gilt, especially on the reverse. Unfortunately my cell phone darkened all of the images because I took the photos head-on and the piece is so shiny that it reflects my black cell phone.

 

The ribbon is a beautiful very pale blue.

 

Enjoy.

 

Tracy

 

Obverse with rosette. There are no markings on the rosette:

 

 

Reverse, much, much darker than it is. In hand it is very shiny gilt.

 

 

NK close-up:

 

 

Case lid. Picture taken at an angle to minimize reflection:

 

Edited February 2 by TracA
Spacing; words

[No one]

Dear TracA,

 

Nice one!

 

I got an answer from the Japan Mint, a bit disapointing, here it is:

 

この度は、造幣局にお問合せいただきありがとうございます。

お問い合わせいただいた件につきまして、造幣局では品質管理を目的として製造時期がわかるよう勲章に記号を打刻しております。

申し訳ございませんが、詳細についてはお答えできかねます。

 

今後とも造幣局の事業にご理解をたまわりますようよろしくお願いいたします。

 

独立行政法人造幣局
 広報官

 

Google translation:

 

Thank you for contacting the Japan Mint.

 

Regarding your inquiry, the Japan Mint stamps symbols on medals to indicate the date of manufacture for quality control purposes.

 

We regret that we are unable to provide any further details.

 

We appreciate your continued understanding of the Japan Mint's operations.

 

Public Relations Officer, Japan Mint Bureau

 

Yours sincerely,

No one

Edited February 13 by No one

[TracA]

Hello No One,

 

Thank you for following up with this. Yes, a bit disappointing, but at least it is some sort of answer. I will add this to my overall documentation.

 

Hope that you are doing well.

 

All the best,

 

Tracy