Interesting Great East Asia War Medal

[Dieter3]

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.....??

[fukuoka]

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.....??

I would hazard this guess: It's a post-war vets medal, probably made for a veteran of the Imperial Guard, since the central emblem looks like the IG one. Also, the decorative bar has a longer inscription. Cannot make it out, though. However, I doubt very seriously that it is a government-issue medal.

Cheers, Rich

[Dieter3]

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...!!??

[Dieter3]

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:

[Dieter3]

[Dieter3]

[fukuoka]

The bar reads 'Imperial Guard Infantry Regiment Commemorative.' The extra kanji on the reverse means 'Dispatch.'

Nice find!

Cheers, Rich

[drclaw]

Stunning medal Dieter, congratulations on your find! Case looks absolutely pristine too. I find the "blended" colours on Japanese ODM very attractive.

Still waiting for those Rising Suns pics ...

[Dieter3]

Stunning medal Dieter, congratulations on your find! Case looks absolutely pristine too. I find the "blended" colours on Japanese ODM very attractive.

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.

Still waiting for those Rising Suns pics ...

You and me both!! I'm in "photo-mode" this weekend though - hoping tomorrow since I have the day off......!!!