Update 12/20/24: SEASON'S GREETINGS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS from FLYING TIGER ANTIQUES!!
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Thank you for visiting. We hope you will find some vintage artifacts here on our site to add to your collection.
We look forward to serving your collecting needs! Happy Holidays, Ron & Kana.
ARTIFACT:
What we have here is an exceptionally rare WWII Japanese Medal commemorating the Expedition to the Philippines 2,602 AD, by the "Katayama Unit" or "Force" or "Troop", in the Philippines.
The medal was produced locally in the Philippines by Crispulo Zamora & Sons, a prolific manufacturer located in Manilla, in Showa 17 (1942).
In the numismatics world, Honeycutt (who lists this as Honeycutt-312) states there are probably 3 or 4 examples extant. This would therefore be a 4th or 5th example.
And the only one known to have 2 of the kanji characters on the reverse carefully removed. The removed kanji, 片山, states the name Katayama, the name of the unit commemorated, so it is possible that this recipient was part of a different unit on the expedition, and wanted his medal to be "correct". This is only speculation, we may never know exactly why these kanji were removed, but it seems logical based on Japanese precision.
The kanji on the obverse of the medal is intact and reads: 比島遠征紀念 紀元二千六百二年 Commemoration of Expedition to the Philippines 2,602 AD.
One example of this medal that sold in the last decade had the remnants of what appear to have been a suspension ring at top, and this medal shows a spot where a suspension loop could have been attached, but now is not present.
If you would like to own a unique example of one of the most rare Japanese medals of WWII, here is your opportunity.
VINTAGE:
World War II, 1942.
SIZE:
Approximately: 1-3/8" in diameter.
MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION:
Sterling silver.
ATTACHMENT:
N/A.
MARKINGS:
比島遠征紀念紀元二千六百二年：Commemoration of Expedition to the Philippines 2,602 AD.
淀: YODO. It is probably a code name referring to an unidentifiable higher headquarters.
(片山) 部隊: (Katayama) Unit
ITEM NOTES:
This is from a Japanese Militaria collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. CON-MWB-25-24 LHIGEX11/19/24
CONDITION:
8+ (Excellent): The Medal shows minor wear and Unit name "Katayama 片山" is removed, overall, it is in excellent condition and details.
GUARANTEE: As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.
