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 Replies: 12 / Views: 4,752 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
899 Posts |
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Moderator
 Australia
16826 Posts |
On the top pic, I can see what seems to be "Year 43", though I can't read the seal-script lettering well enough to identify who or what it's the 43rd year of. The 1880s don;t correlate to year 43 of the emperor reigning at the time; Meiji 43 would be 1910.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
It's definitely not from Meiji 43. No one in the world at that time had that good of striking machines. The obverse, after the two right characters say something like "third bronze medallion #43" The reverse (top line) is something along the lines of a numismatic or medals collecting group. My seal script isn't good either, but I'll see if someone else can read it. It also seems that the depiction is that of Empress Gemmei, who was the 43rd emperor of Japan. That seems to be more fitting with the "43." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empress_GemmeiAs for the rim, can you take a picture of it vertically (not slanted)? I bet that's the hallmark, though I can't make out the second character. |
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
899 Posts |
Sap and wd1040 here is the sellers description:
"This medal is the 3rd grade meritorious deed awarded to the person who contributed to the abolition of feudal domains and establishments of prefectures 1871 -- 1888. This is the medal which the Meiji government issued in the 1880's. It is written on the reverse side that this medal was manufactured in the Mint Bureau of Japan"
These pictures are the auction ones and I will post better clearer pictures when I receive this item in about 3 weeks for your review.
wd1040 I will take some close up pictures through the microscope of the artist mark as that should help date this piece.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
899 Posts |
I finally received this medal, took a bit longer due to the postal strike but its here now.. sap and wd1040 here are better pictures to help determine when and what this medal is representing. I did find online another description which said: "Antique Japanese Meiji Bronze medallion, circa 1910, handcrafted cast bronze." Thanks in advance...     |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
899 Posts |
It took some time but I finally found out the history on this medal.
· Side with embossed agricultural scene: "Second Prize Bronze Medal, Meiji Year 43"
· Top seven characters (府県e合.e会) on the side with embossed chrysanthemum: "Local Exposition and Trade Show"
· Bottom four characters (農商務省) on the side with embossed chrysanthemum: "Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce"
· Three characters (美盛作) on the edge: "made by Bisei"
1. "Meiji" refers to the name of the era during which Emperor Mutsuhito (referred to as the Meiji Emperor) ruled. He became emperor in 1867 and died in 1912 (Year 45 of the Meiji Era). "Meiji" means "enlightened rule". The term "Meiji was selected because in 1868 the shogunate was overthrown and power was transferred from the shogunate to the emperor. Shoguns had ruled Japan since 1603 and were quite dictatorial. The emperors had no power during this period and were not even consulted by the shoguns. When the monarchy was restored the emperor expanded the rights of citizens.
2. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. Copper is the dominant constituent. Tin represents less than 10% of the alloy. In modern kanji "copper" is represented by two characters and "bronze" is represented by three characters, two of which are the same as for copper. Bronze is consistent with the material used for medals.
3. Unno Bisei was the "art name" of a well known artist during the Meiji era. His real name was Unno Yoshimori II. He specialized in metal jewelry and metal sculptures.
4. The Japanese calendar system is called "nengo" and counts years from the start of each emperor's reign. The reign of the Meiji emperor started in 1867 so Meiji 43 would be 1910 by the western calendar. Note that the start and length of the year follows the western calendar system.
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Valued Member
United States
347 Posts |
Quote:
Side with embossed agricultural scene: "Second Prize Bronze Medal, Meiji Year 43" I'm not familiar with Japanese medals but the inscription actually says "third" prize. The character in question is the third one from the right. The character is 弎 which is the formal way of writing "3" or, in this case, "third". Gary |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
899 Posts |
Thanks Gary, appreciate the correction..my japanese is not the greatest, now I have the complete the history..  |
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Pillar of the Community
Mexico
1304 Posts |
D, I think you landed a very nice medal there...good research!
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
899 Posts |
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New Member
United States
1 Posts |
D, I have this exact medal. It was given to me by my grandfather. Were you able to value this item?
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Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
 to the Community! Normally I would split this into its own topic and ask you to post some photos, but since you seem to have identified your medal and are seeking help from the OP of this topic, I will leave it here.  |
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Moderator
United States
95740 Posts |
another one? very nice  |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 4,752 |
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Posted 06/12/2011 02:10 am
