Golden Kite Order Replicas and Fakes

[JapanX]

In this thread replica will be defined as any piece that bears warning inscription. Replicas without such inscriptions are fakes. But most golden kite replicas warnings are written in Japanese, so they don’t help you very much unless you know their true meaning. Even some dealers refer to them as “two japanese hieroglyphs on reverse”.

Let’s start with the 1^st class replicas. Here comes a nice example of such replica. So to speak “quality standard” for golden kite replicas. Badge bears mark N and warning inscription, the star bears only warning inscription.

Edited February 27, 2012 by JapanX

[JapanX]

Obverse of the 1^st class badge

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Reverse of the 1^st class badge

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Obverse of the breast star

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Reverse of the breast star

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Very nicely made box

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Different angles of the box

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Nobody seems to know for sure what N stands for. One of the hypothesis states that N stand for “Nakata of Tokyo”. Anyway pieces that bear that mark N have the highest quality of them all. So far I met only 1^st class badges marked with N.

And another example of 1^st class.

[JapanX]

Sorry, technical difficulties (my stationary computer is dead )

This thread will be continued tomorrow evening ;)

Edited February 27, 2012 by JapanX

[JapanX]

Ok. So where we were? Yes, another 1^st class set.

[JapanX]

Honest (within reasonable limits) dealer will describe it as “Grand cross. Modern manufacture. Sash Badge, silver gilt (if so, then I wonder why this piece has two non-gilded “silver” screws), enameled, original (?) suspension ring and sash ribbon. Breast Star, silver gilt, enameled, superimposed central medallion, vertical pin and 2 side hooks on the reverse. In original case of issue” The price for this piece of art will be set around 1300$-1800$. I think your imagination will help you with the case of dishonest dealer

[JapanX]

And another boxed 1^st class.

[JapanX]

Badge close-up (another variation!)

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Just want to demonstrate you how actually "high" the quality of these above badges - let`s take a look at this inferior quality 1^st class badge.

[JapanX]

Let’s turn our attention to the 2^nd class. Here we have excellent example of “straight” replica.

Badge obverse

Edited February 28, 2012 by JapanX

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Badge reverse

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Star obverse

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Star reverse

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Box and view “in the box”

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And another nicely made set

[JapanX]

Sincere dealer description for such set will be “Grand Officer’s Set. Neck Badge, 61x56 mm, metal (frankly speaking! )) gilt (exaggeration), one side enamelled, long neck ribbon. Breast Star, 94 mm., metal gilt, superimposed parts gilt and enameled, large pin on reverse and two side hooks with Japanese inscription on the back. In original (?) lacquered case with Japanese inscription on the lid. Modern high quality fabrication of this rare order”. The price tag will be set around 1200$.

[JapanX]

And now 3^rd class replica.

Obverse

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Reverse

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Box and view “in the box”

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The honest seller will give it to you straight and simple: “Commander’s Cross. Modern manufacture. Neck Badge, silver gilt, enameled, original suspension ring and ribbon, in original case of issue”. 500$-600$ and this “practically everything original” beauty is yours