World War One Peace Treaty Commemorative Medallion

[Dieter3]

This came in a large group of assorted buttons, badges, pins, and medals I got recently, all common stuff, but this was a pleasant surprise. No idea how common or uncommon it is.

Appears to be a commemorative medallion, would love some more info if anybody has any. Dated June 28th, 1919 (Taisho 8) - the date of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

Tarnishy and stainy, and the strike seems relatively shallow, but still pretty neat. I'm mostly medals, but I think I might hang on to this one!

Edited August 4, 2012 by Dieter3

[Dieter3]

[Dieter3]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this reads from right to left (top half) - "SEKAI SENEKI KOUWA KUNKI CHOUIN KINEN" - World War (One) Peace Treaty Commemoration". I suspect some of that might be off in the kanji reading.

Bottom from right to left - "TAISHOU HACHINEN ROKUGATSU NIJYUUHACHI NICHI" - Taisho 8th Year (1919) 6th Month, 28th Day

Bottom left corner - "I. Sato" - No idea who this is, assume the designer of the medallion? Anybody know more?

Edited August 4, 2012 by Dieter3

[Dieter3]

Reverse - I'm not an expert on this, but I think that must be the Palace of Versailles? Not sure who the figure represents, assume that is a "peace" dove on there. I can not read the two large kanji - help!

The smaller kanji seem to indicate "Mint Bureau" (ZOUHEIKYOKU).

[Dieter3]

Inside case lid - can't read the whole thing, my translator is asleep. But the case must have been made by, or the piece was obtained from Shoubidou Co., in Osaka. A complete translation would be helpful. Possibly the same Shoubidou that we associate with the "S"-marked Showa Enthronement medals. Speculation.

[fukuoka]

It is the same as the large table medals for WW1 Victory. These small ones were the more affordable alternative.

Made by Japan Mint; sold at Shoubido. The cases often had the name of the seller not the maker. You will also see Mitsukoshi Department Store on many cases for the other Mint medals.

See the bigger ones here: http://imperialjapanmedalsandbadges.com/mintmedals3.html

Cheers,

Rich

[fukuoka]

I. Sato was the designer. He has done a few more medals and also some Imperial Attendant badges. See the above linked page, medal at the bottom.

http://imperialjapanmedalsandbadges.com/imperialattendant.html

Edited August 4, 2012 by fukuoka

[Dieter3]

Sweet, Thanks Rich. I see on the larger ones on your site that the "I. Sato" was not included! Interesting thjat it'd be on the smaller one, not the larger one. Those larger ones certainly look more at home in their cases - this small one seems a bit lost! Thanks for pointing those out - I knew I should have checked your site first! Do you know which branch of the mint produced these?