Japan Medal of Honor on Yellow Ribbon: Penultimate Vintage

[JapanX]

Now boxes comparison

Box 1957

Edited November 10, 2012 by JapanX

[JapanX]

Box 2000

Edited November 10, 2012 by JapanX

[JapanX]

Now it will be very interesting to examine very first type of Medal on Yellow Ribbon that was issued for a very short time (1887-1894).

Especially it will be interesting in connection with this thread http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/56125-judging-authenticity-of-ribbons/.

As 1874 medal first early Yellow Ribbon Medals didn`t have classical ribbon "gear" - hook and eye.

Everything was sewed by hand.

Check this out.

Edited November 10, 2012 by JapanX

[JapanX]

Interesting ribbon color has this early "Yellow" ribbon medal :)

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

Compare it with with typical "gear" of 1874 War Medal

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/55001-1874-war-medal-close-look/

Looks familiar?

[JapanX]

Box

[JapanX]

Another example of this rare medal that has same coloring of ribbon, but already "standart", "pofessionaly attached" gear.

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

Another interesting example of this medal with more Yellow ribbon and familiar style of attachement

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

[Dieter3]

Check out this mark

I think all Medals of Honors got these two-digit marks simultaneously with Sacred Treasures and Rising Suns (in early 80s)

Same mark, 7th Class Sacred Treasure - with a modern rosette - I wonder if these two were made in the same year?

Interesting fixation

GLUE?? Seriously? Was that used to hold it onto a display?

[JapanX]

Same mark, 7th Class Sacred Treasure - with a modern rosette - I wonder if these two were made in the same year?

Only if you are right and these are time codes.

As you know I am highly skeptical about this hypothesis...

But then again, about what I am not?!

GLUE?? Seriously? Was that used to hold it onto a display?

Deadly serious!

[Dieter3]

Only if you are right and these are time codes.

As you know I am highly skeptical about this hypothesis...

But then again, about what I am not?!

Well, I'm not totally convinced of this either. But this particular 7th class has the same type of rosette (pin mechanism) as the newer 2003+ awards - though not a small diameter, it is the larger diameter. I'm guessing these came into use in the 90's (?), but at least just prior to 2003! So, your yellow merit award is from 2000 with "VJ" - and the Sacred Treausure with "VJ" - date is unknown, but do we have circumstantial evidence to say they ight have been made around the same time?

What are your other hypotheses on what these codes could mean?

[JapanX]

What are your other hypotheses on what these codes could mean?

Tech marks...

Personal makers marks ...

Quality control marks...

Consignment marks ...

Etc...

[Gensui]

Absolute stunning, Nick!

Do you know, if the hook & eye were attached/produced by the same mint, which made the medal?

BR, Chris

[JapanX]

Do you know, if the hook & eye were attached/produced by the same mint, which made the medal?

As far as I know mint never manufactured ribbons.

There were several independent private workshops that manufactured them (some of them are still active and official suppliers of mint).

Naturally these hooks and eyes were attached in these workshops.

Only the first early ribbons (without any gear) are mystery, i.e. I mean where cavaliers got their "hooks and eyes"...

Were they issued together with ribbons, but unattached to them?

Or the cavaliers bought them on their own?

I vote for the second scenario.

When "homemade" gear was finally replaced by "made and attached by firm" gear?

Somewhere between 1889 and 1895.

Best,

Nick

[fukuoka]

Here comes another Medal of Honor on Yellow Ribbon from the same vintage.

Unfortunately the mint mark is unreadble...

1996 medal. 'RH' on reverse bar. Not sure if these marks should be called 'mint marks.' My suspicion is they are inspection stamps.